So how can trees save lives? They don't have a pulse, courage, arms, legs, or anything that would lend themselves to the traditional heroism that comes with saving a life. What trees provide however, will save many lives in helping protect the environment. Trees provide a very important and vital resource to the living creatures of the planet. They provide oxygen that is consumed by all living organisms. Granted this oxygen is a by-product, but it is a by-product that is crucial to the survival and continuation of life. Not only do trees produce oxygen, but they also remove Carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon is one of the leading contributors to climate change and the regulation of it is of great importance to the survival of everything. Trees absorb Carbon through a process called sequestration. Through this process, Carbon is taken in through the leaves and stored in the wood particles that make up the tree. It remains in the hardwood until the tree is either burned or decays re-releasing the Carbon into the atmosphere.
Trees are also very helpful in the urban environments. A common problem in a lot of
major cities is the concept of urban heat island effect. With the increase of hard, reflective surfaces and the reduction of greenery, sunlight is reflected back upwards and retained in the surrounding area. This leads to increased temperatures inside the city limits which leads to an increase in energy production and consumption, increase in air conditioning and greenhouse gas emissions. Trees help to reduce the heat island effect by the creation of shade, absorption of Carbon Dioxide leading to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and greatly increases moisture retention.
Water retention is a crucial benefit that trees provide to the planet as well. Storm water runoff has become an ever increasing problem with the realization of non point source pollution effecting the major waterways where most of our drinking water comes from. A tree in this situation acts as a filter for the water as it passes through the soil and is absorbed by the trees roots. This prevents a lot of runoff from residential and agricultural practices from entering the freshwater systems which provides clean drinking water for people and animals. Trees also prevent erosion due to the roots extending out into the soil which strengthens it and prevents any excess from running off into the same freshwater systems.
When all of these benefits combine they prove that trees really do save lives. They create oxygen, filter the air and water, reduce erosion and water contamination, retain water moisture, and decrease the heat island effect that plagues most cities.
You made good points. the Urban Heat Island effect can be substantial, more trees would help reduce its effect. However more plants in general, not just trees could also help. Urban agriculture, or urban gardening could provide some of the same benefits as urban forestry. Benefits like reduced GHGs, better storm water management, purifying the air, and reducing energy use. In addition Urban food production would provide fresher food while reducing the GHGs produced when transporting food.
ReplyDeleteI agree that trees are very beneficial to our environment and we should strive to plant more trees or plants in general. Planting trees or plants is an easy job but one that isn't done that often. There should be more organizations that plant trees and plants so they can create more benefits. And, it seems like there are more groups that plant trees in rural areas because of the lack of space to plant them in urban areas. As you mentioned the need for trees in urban settings is crucial because of the urban heat island effect. It would be useful to create more green roofs and gardens in urban areas to reduce the urban heat island effect. It seems like many people cut down trees to create space for other things such as buildings. Do you think it would be wise to create a policy such as the no net loss policies for wetlands but targeted to help reduce the loss of trees?
ReplyDelete