Why do we Need Trees | Their Usefulness & Important Functions

Climate change is very much true and we need to care about nature for the future survival of the human race.

Out of many measures that can be taken to normalize the climate, growing trees is an important one.

But humans are the main living beings responsible for widespread destruction and damage to trees.

Trees have many valuable functions that other living organisms or non-living systems can perform in terms of benefit to the climate.

Hence we need to grow and also save trees for the benefit of nature and also mankind.

Why do we Need Trees?

We need trees because of the valuable benefits we derive from them.

These benefits are like.

1. They absorb Sun’s heat

• When sunlight falls onto the earth, it rises the temperature.

• Trees absorb the sun rays through green leaves for photosynthesis.

• Thus, they minimize the intensity of sunlight falling on the earth surface.

• In the early days, the entire landmass on the earth was filled with forests.

• Humans started deforestation for farming and construction and when deforestation crossed the needed threshold, there is climate change.

• This excess heat can cause health effects to humans and all the living beings.

• So, to minimize heat and cool the climate, the only thing we can do is plant as many trees as possible.

2. Trees are part of the food chain in the ecosystem

• The food chain is a system where one living organisms is dependent on others for survival.

• Trees and plants are the starting points in all the food chains in the environment.

• If trees are not there, other animals cannot exist without whom even humans can’t exist.

• So trees are needed for the food chain and balance in the ecosystem.

3. They provide foodstuff

• Trees like mango, apple, guava, oranges, etc., are a great source of food material.

• These plants provide foodstuff for the sake of other living beings besides humans.

• So we will lose the fruits and other foodstuffs without trees.

4. They provide shelter

• Trees serve as shelter for many animals, birds, insects, etc. Without them, they will all be shelterless.

• Even humans can depend on plants for shadow during sunny day work etc. Besides, we obtain essential furniture from trees.

5. They help bring rainfall.

• Rainfall is a process that is linked to the water cycle.

• This water cycle takes up moisture from the soil, air and forms clouds.

• Trees take up moisture from the soil layers and release it to the air to add to the water cycle load.

• Also, when the clouds are formed, these trees provide a cooling effect by which rains occur.

6. They Reduce Pollution

• Green Trees purify the air by removing toxic gases and dust particles.

• So, when we pollute the environment by using automobiles, this carbon dioxide-loaded pollution is removed by trees.

• Further, they adsorb dust particles, intercept them and reduce particulate matter in air.

• As per a study, trees and forests in the United States removed 17.4 million tonnes of air pollution contributing to human health valued at 6.8 billion U.S. dollars.

7. They enhance the oxygen concentration of air.

• Also, plants release oxygen after taking up carbon dioxide.

• They take carbon dioxide from air to form carbohydrates through photosynthesis under the influence of sunlight.

• In doing so, they make oxygen in leaves and leave into the environment.

8. They act to prevent soil erosion.

• Trees slow down the winds; they also act as resistance to soil carryover by winds.

• Thus they minimize soil erosion from the top layer of the earth. Thus they preserve the valuable soil surface.

9. They prevent damage due to floods and tsunamis.

• Whenever there are floods or tsunamis, the water flows into the land.

• The presence of trees slows down the flow and helps prevent damage to human properties. 

10. They keep the environment around us cool.

• Trees reduce the temperature by moisturizing the air and also taking up carbon dioxide.

• Hence a large number of trees can help us keep the environment cool.

• They also indirectly provide other essential materials like honey, lac, etc.

• Since many birds, insects live on trees; they act as stations for honey, lac, silk, etc.

• Hence, based on the above benefits, we need to stop cutting down trees and also grow more plants.

Conservation of plants and trees is the only scope of our future survival.

References:

• How do trees and green spaces enhance our health?
• How do trees give earth all its oxygen?
• Tree and forest effects on air quality and human health in the United States
• Using Plants & Trees for Stability