Phytoplankton in the ocean are more prolific, providing half of Earth's oxygen, but forests are still a key source of quality air. That variety is especially rich in tropical rainforests, but forests teem with life around the planet: Insects and worms work nutrients into soil, bees and birds spread pollen and seeds, and keystone species like wolves and big cats keep hungry herbivores in check.
Biodiversity is a big deal, both for ecosystems and human economies, yet it's increasingly threatened around the world by deforestation. Some million people live in forests worldwide, including an estimated 60 million indigenous people whose survival depends almost entirely on native woodlands.
Many millions more live along or near forest fringes, but even just a scattering of urban trees can raise property values and reduce crime, among other benefits. By growing a canopy to hog sunlight, trees also create vital oases of shade on the ground.
Urban trees help buildings stay cool, reducing the need for electric fans or air conditioners, while large forests can tackle daunting tasks like curbing a city's "heat island" effect or regulating regional temperatures. Trees also have another way to beat the heat: absorb CO2 that fuels global warming.
Plants always need some CO2 for photosynthesis, but Earth's air is now so thick with extra emissions that forests fight global warming just by breathing. CO2 is stored in wood, leaves and soil, often for centuries. Large forests can influence regional weather patterns and even create their own microclimates.
The Amazon rainforest, for example, generates atmospheric conditions that not only promote regular rainfall there and in nearby farmland, but potentially as far away as the Great Plains of North America.
Tree roots are key allies in heavy rain, especially for low-lying areas like river plains. They help the ground absorb more of a flash flood, reducing soil loss and property damage by slowing the flow. On top of flood control, soaking up surface runoff also protects ecosystems downstream. Modern stormwater increasingly carries toxic chemicals, from gasoline and lawn fertilizer to pesticides and pig manure, that accumulate through watersheds and eventually create low-oxygen " dead zones.
Forests are like giant sponges, catching runoff rather than letting it roll across the surface, but they can't absorb all of it. Water that gets past their roots trickles down into aquifers, replenishing groundwater supplies that are important for drinking, sanitation and irrigation around the world. Farming near a forest has lots of benefits, like bats and songbirds that eat insects or owls and foxes that eat rats.
But groups of trees can also serve as a windbreak, providing a buffer for wind-sensitive crops. And beyond protecting those plants, less wind also makes it easier for bees to pollinate them. A forest's root network stabilizes huge amounts of soil, bracing the entire ecosystem's foundation against erosion by wind or water. Not only does deforestation disrupt all that, but the ensuing soil erosion can trigger new, life-threatening problems like landslides and dust storms.
Dedicated fund to cover hospital expenses 3. Reproductive health clinics and education. Environmental Education 3. VGS training 4. Tourism education 5. Secondary and Tertiary Education Funds.
Ensure female representation in leadership. Education for girls in the Yaeda Valley. The generation of over jobs in addition to the introduction of an additional revenue stream for the entire community from the sale of carbon offsets.
Employment of community scouts, project operations staff and VGS 2. Carbon payment schemes 3. Business plan development 4. Financial training. Business plan development leads to financial independence and improved livelihoods. Installation of wifi and solar energy at project offices 2.
SMART wildlife monitoring system 3. Emphasising land rights for marginalised populations and developing policies that reduce inequalities within project operations. Securing land rights 2. Developing community land use plans 3. Women empowerment initiatives. Woman empowerment iniatives at Ntakata ensure female representation in leadership roles. Generating offsets by sequestering carbon in forest ecosystems that would be threatened without project implementation.
Community members patrol the forests enforcing village by-laws that prevent deforestation and degradation. Village Game Scouts patrol the forest to prevent deforestation and degradation. You can also spread this issue among your friends, family, and community and ask them to do the same within theirs. You can ask directly businesses to change and to follow a more sustainable path by making specific suggestions or just sharing your concerns.
Ask political leaders for change as well and use wisely your vote and social networks. Develop projects, ideas or communities in the countryside to help fight desertification and its implications. Inspire the change. Learn more about agroforestry, the complexity of nature and its systems and how it is related to our own human complexity.
Image credits to tree hug on Shutterstock, forests on Shutterstock and forest view on Shutterstock. Log in and interact with engaging content: show how they matter to you, share your experience First Name. Last Name. See all. Published at , April 11 th People living in the countryside and others from yogic or tribal traditions people look at forests with respect, seeing them as ancient, sacred and mysterious.
Why Are Forests So Important? Related: 5 Specific actions you can follow to help stop deforestation. Show how useful this article has been. Welcome back Log in and interact with engaging content: show how they matter to you, share your experience Login with your email. Forgot Your Password? Especially-strong winds can destroy crops, while constant wind causes plants to lose more water thanks to evaporation. In certain areas, the dust and debris blown around by wind can hurt plants, as well.
Trees can block these dangerous winds and protect valuable crops. Soil erosion has dangerous consequences. It causes the loss of fertile land, leads to increased pollution in streams and rivers, and harms the animal population.
Flooding, dust storms, and mudslides are also common in areas with high soil erosion. Trees reduce soil erosion by anchoring the soil with their roots.
The leaves and branches that fall from trees also help keep rainfall from washing soil away. Throughout history, people have known forests have healing powers. There are several types of trees known for their medicinal properties, like the moringa tree.
Extracts have shown antibiotic and antibacterial properties.
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