Forests are home to an estimated 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity. This biodiversity is of paramount importance to healthy and functional forest ecosystems: forest animals and organisms perform pollination, seed dispersal, herbivory and other crucial roles that affect natural regeneration and carbon storage. When these animals disappear from forests such functions are lost with them, with significant implications for forest health, the climate, and livelihoods of millions of people who rely on forests.

To raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity for forest ecosystems, the Russian Geographical Society, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva organized the exhibition “Forest biodiversity: too precious to lose” from 2 – 12 November in the Palais of Nations, Geneva. Due to restrictions caused by COVID-19 outbreak, this exhibition is also presented in a virtual format, so it could be seen by everyone.