Beyond the Trees: The Forests That Sustain Us

Roots penetrate the soil, leaves capture sunlight, and streams flow through layers of earth. A bird moves through the trees, dispersing seeds into places that may never have been touched by human hands. In forests, no organism exists entirely in isolation. Every living thing is connected through an intricate ecological network, forming a delicate balance that sustains life on Earth.

In Indonesia, these connections extend from the tropical rainforests of Sumatra and Kalimantan to the peat swamp forests of Papua. Forests are more than collections of trees. They are habitats for extraordinary biodiversity, significant carbon stocks, and essential sources of livelihood for forest-dependent communities. Yet when fire enters these landscapes, ecological relationships that have developed over thousands of years can be disrupted in a matter of moments.

At first glance, forest and land fires (FLF) may appear to be flames consuming vegetation across the landscape. However, in peatlands, fires can spread beneath the soil surface, burning organic matter accumulated over centuries and releasing substantial amounts of stored carbon. Smouldering peat fires can persist underground even after rainfall begins.

This presents one of the major challenges in forest and land fire management in Indonesia. According to monitoring by Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of November 7, 2026, approximately 1,430 hectares of land still required fire suppression efforts, including 362 hectares in South Papua.

Berton SP Panjaitan of BNPB warned that rainfall does not necessarily eliminate the threat of fire. “Even during the rainy season, new fire hotspots may still emerge, as fires or embers beneath the surface have not yet been completely extinguished,” he said, as quoted by detikNews on November 2, 2026.



The warning highlights a fundamental challenge in peat fire management: the threat extends beyond visible flames. Beneath the soil surface, smouldering fires can continue to spread, threatening forest vegetation, wildlife habitats, air quality, and the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

Effective fire management, therefore, requires more than suppressing active fires. Fire prevention and preparedness are equally essential to reducing the risk of future outbreaks and protecting forest ecosystems. In a report published by ANTARA on November 4, 2026, Eddy Soeparno stated, “We are mobilizing every possible effort to suppress forest and land fires and prevent them from occurring in the future.”

Forests play a critical role in mitigating climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, forest soils store carbon and support nutrient cycling, while forest ecosystems regulate hydrological processes. When forests are degraded or destroyed by fire, the consequences extend far beyond the burned area. Carbon emissions increase, wildlife habitats become fragmented or disappear, and forest-dependent communities may lose essential sources of income and livelihood.

These challenges are also part of the global conversation at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, taking place from November 9 to 20, 2026. Amid international discussions on climate change, forest conservation and sustainable forest management remain essential reminders that the future of the planet depends on actions taken today.

Nevertheless, forest conservation is not solely a matter of policy or international agreements. On the ground, effective forest protection depends on the participation of local communities, monitoring of activities that pose fire risks, and the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems. The safety of personnel involved in forest and land fire suppression must also remain a priority. In a statement to ANTARA on November 8, 2026, Berton SP Panjaitan emphasized, “Fire suppression operations must continue, but they must be carried out with strict attention to safety.”

Forests remind us that every organism plays a role in maintaining ecological balance. The loss of one component can affect countless others, from declining soil fertility to the loss of wildlife habitat. When we protect forests, we safeguard more than trees. We protect the water that flows into communities, the air we breathe every day, and the ecological systems upon which countless lives depend.
Forests have never existed separately from human life. What happens within them will inevitably shape our own future.