Home Environment Green News

7 Ways Forests Benefit the Environment

5938
1

We’re seeing these days many scientists and environmental researchers talking about how forests could improve the environment. After developing and implementing so many green technologies that can reduce carbon emissions, some researchers concluded that forests are still unbeatable in environmental and climate conservation.

So, without too much talking, let’s see what forests can do for our environment:

1. Forests’ Influence on Geomorphology

As you may know, the roots of trees hold the soil in place, preventing erosion or landslides. Depending on species, trees spread their roots into the ground vertically or horizontally. In this way, the soil between roots becomes more compact, strongly fixed in place. As I said above, forests also prevent wind erosion, acting like a natural green shield for our Earth’s relief.

2. Forests’ Influence on Climate

“Forests can improve Earth’s climate.” We hear that every day, but how do they do that? At a local level, forests (similar to seas) reduce heat in summer and cold in winter. In other words, forests keep excessive climate (excessive temperatures) under control. Forests also lower soil temperatures (especially in summer), by sheltering it from direct sun radiations.

Inside forests but either in their surrounding areas, air humidity is higher (15% higher) because of tree transpiration, water evaporation and precipitations. The humidity will attenuate the effects of any excessive heat, creating at local level a pleasant refreshing environment for both humans and other plants and animals.

3. Forests’ Influence on Soils

In forests, that layer composed of wet – decomposed leaves (above the ground), makes the soil better. That soil turns into humus soil. The roots of trees disaggregate the soil and increase its depth. In time, the most solid rocks and any compact soil will turn into a soft vegetable soil (very good for growing plants).

4. Forests’ Influence on Waters

Talking about waters (especially about rivers or springs), they are directly influenced by forests. For two reasons, forests are best at preventing flooding: A. They strongly fix river beds and slow corrosion; B. They allow water to better penetrate the soil – this make rivers to flow slower and safer.

5. Forests’ Influence on Crops

As I said before, forests have a good influence on climate and soils, so in this way they also improve crops. Along the years many people around the world concluded that crop production is 25-30% higher when there are some forests near them.

6. Forests’ Influence on Health

This is not something new and I guess you all know that forests make the air around us cleaner. Often called “earth’s lungs”, forests can both can both reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen the ozone layer (due to the resin from certain tree species).

7. Forests’ Influence on the Landscape

Imagine a world without forests. This could be a very a frightening picture, but thank God it’s not like that. I think forests are exactly like jewels. When worn they make anyone look better. Isn’t it like that? Same happens with forests: they make the Earth look better so we can enjoy every day wonderful landscapes.

(Visited 8,562 times, 1 visits today)

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.