They are necessary for the maintenance of essential ecological processes including soil and water protection, nutrient cycling and exchange of gases with the atmosphere.
Forests protect a variety of plant and animal life and are vital in maintaining biodiversity.
They are highly valued for many scientific, educational and recreational pursuits as well as being a source for timber and other forest products. The management of forested lands is a key social issue. Demands for land including agriculture and rural development have significantly reduced Queensland's forested areas. Forest resource management forms part of the curriculum in many schools as a result of a number of influences. Society's growing environmental conscience is often the driving force behind its inclusion and this is reflected in syllabus documents.