Without forests, we wouldn't have clean air, clean water, or much of the food we depend on. So we thank you. Yet deforestation is on the rise, endangering the planet's natural wealth and the ecosystems on which its ability to cope with climate change depends. It is necessary to emphasize the importance of forests for our planet.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about the importance of forests, their characteristics and much more.
Contribution of forests to the planet
The planet is running out of oxygen, our forests are dying and with them our biodiversity. Since 2020, Australia has had to deal with thousands of fires caused by heat waves that have affected more than a billion animals and destroyed more than 6 million hectares of Australian forests. In 2019, the largest tropical forest in the world also turned into a real hell, with violent flames that destroyed thousands of hectares of the Amazon, which according to scientists could be a source of tropical trees and animals in Africa, given the fragility of the so-called forests of the world.
The swarms disappear, thus releasing up to 140 billion tons of carbon, which will cause a dramatic increase in global temperatures. In conclusion, our stay on Earth is coming to an end because we have not yet realized the importance of forests.
Forests are ecosystems of trees that contain about 70% of the planet's biodiversity. Analysts believe that at the beginning of the earth, our planet was made up of 80% trees, but the presence of the human species has caused these trees to disappear over the years. High rates of deforestation, illegal logging and the existence of illegal extractive activities are just some of the factors that put some of the densest forests on the planet at risk, and even cause the total disappearance of some forests.
Forests help mitigate the effects of global warming, so beyond planting a tree from time to time, it is urgent to take measures to raise awareness about forests and the importance of their conservation.
importance of forests
The importance of forests lies in the fact that:
- Thanks to them, the process of absorbing carbon dioxide takes place, which is harmful to the human body.
- Trees produce the oxygen that humans need to breathe.
- Forests are the fundamental basis for guaranteeing food security.
- Everything is a chain, and the destruction of the forests endangers the biodiversity there.
- Forests also play a vital role in stabilizing and protecting against natural hazards, protecting the soil, prevent landslides by strengthening their roots, help prevent floods, avalanches, unstable slopes, rock slides, etc. many other natural phenomena.
- They regulate the water cycle. They act like sponges and therefore allow the recharge of aquifers, since forests improve water quality because reduce sedimentation and eutrophication processes.
- They help reduce noise pollution.
- Trees provide us with shade, which in turn helps maintain humidity.
- Forests dot the landscape, a natural wonder that helps boost tourism.
Forests also contribute to the socioeconomic development of a country, intervening in many processes such as livestock production, hunting, the production of honey, fruits, etc. If we put it in numbers, we find that a common tree sold in wood has a monetary value of about 600 dollars, but if the same tree is kept alive, the ecological benefit is about 200.000 dollars, because in its existence the entire process of oxygen production. , reducing air pollution, maintaining and ensuring soil fertility, controlling erosion, circulating water and managing humidity, it is home to wild animals and a source of protein that sustains a naturally flowing life.
Environmental services and utility
As for pines, some authors affirm that there are around 50 species of pines, others raise the number to more than 70, but one thing is obvious to all botanists: Mexico has the greatest diversity of pines in the world center. Pines in Mexico are distributed in five main regions, differing only partially from the six regions defined by Eguiluz-Piedra (1985) based on the presence of specific groups of species.
Loose, soft wood is easy to work with, so it is used to make furniture, houses, and boxes for packing goods. The higher resin content of pine hardwood allows for precise extraction of the resin, which is then processed into asphalt, turpentine, and oils.
most beautiful forests in the world
Forests not only help us breathe, hydrate and feed ourselves, they also inspire us with their incomparable beauty. There are different types of forests depending on factors such as vegetation (leafy, mixed and coniferous), climate (tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal) or the degree of human intervention (primitive and anthropogenic). Among them, the international community «National Geographic» selected the most beautiful in the world:
- Erawan Park (Thailand): The golden color of the trees and fauna in autumn attracts attention: many birds, flying squirrels and monkeys live here.
- Broceliande Forest (France): 7.000 hectares and more than 5.000 years old, as evidenced by the numerous menhirs scattered around the area.
- Sagano Forest (Japan): Bamboo forest with 50 different species, specimens up to 20 meters high.
- Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina): A World Heritage Site since 1987, these lenga and ñire forests flank natural wonders such as Perito Moreno.
- Kahurangi National Park (New Zealand): Tropical and leafy forest where kiwis and wickas coexist among tree ferns, red beeches and nikau palms and other plant species.
- Black Forest (Germany): it includes 6.000 square kilometers of spruce forests, meadows, lakes and small towns between Freiburg and Basel.
- Ontario Forest (Canada): An expanse of red, orange and yellow with green accents, reflected in thousands of lakes and rivers.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the importance of forests.