Saturday 7 may 2022Forests have a very important role for life on earth. Forests cover nearly a third of all land on earth and provide essential benefits to all species. The air we breathe, the water we drink, all come from the forest.
Currently, the earth is experiencing climate change that can threaten life on earth. Climate change occurs due to the use of fossil fuels in everyday life such as using gasoline, coal, and many more. The result of the use of fossil fuels is carbon dioxide which is released in the air thereby increasing the earth's temperature. As a result, the earth experiences extreme weather that is difficult to predict. The dry season is getting longer, the air temperature is getting hotter, the icebergs are melting so sea levels are rising, and there are still many effects of climate change that are harmful to life.
Therefore, forests have a crucial role in preventing climate change. Various trees in the forest are able to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Forests also act as water catchment areas so as to prevent flooding.
Below are some discussions about the benefits of forests for life
1. Provide clean air
Forests can absorb carbon dioxide in the air and release oxygen so that it can provide clean air. One mature tree is able to provide oxygen needs for 2-10 people in a day.
2. Cool the earth
Global warming occurs because carbon dioxide emissions continue to increase making the earth hot. Hot temperatures cause polar ice caps to melt, causing sea levels to rise and potentially drowning coastal cities.
In addition, hot temperatures can also increase the temperature of sea water which results in the death of coral reefs. In fact, coral reefs play an important role for marine ecosystems.
With more forests, more carbon dioxide is absorbed so that global warming can be prevented and cools the earth.
3. Prevent landslides
The trees in the forest are able to prevent landslides because their roots grip the ground tightly. Forests are also able to become good water catchment areas because they are able to absorb excess water so as to prevent landslides.
4. Prevent flooding
As a water catchment area, forests can also prevent flooding. High rainfall is not a problem as long as there is a forest, because the forest is able to absorb water to the maximum so that there is no flood. If there is no forest, the water cannot be absorbed so it is easily flooded and eventually floods occur.
5. Provide rain
Forests have complex ecosystems. The trees in the forest absorb water from the soil and release the excess into the air. If the size of the forest is large enough, this condition can affect rainfall. For example, the Amazon rainforest in South America is able to provide rain for surrounding plantations, even being able to influence weather conditions in North America.
6. Provide drinking water
Rainwater that falls in the forest is absorbed by various trees, the excess water is not absorbed in the soil and stored. The soil has several natural layers such as stone and sand, these layers function to filter rainwater so that it becomes clean. Therefore, some drinking water providers take their water supply from the mountains because the mountains have dense forests so that they are able to purify water.
7. Providing food
Forest ecosystems are able to accommodate a variety of biological and vegetable needs that serve as human food. Many people use forest land to grow crops and feed livestock. Forests also provide varieties of plants that grow wild and can be used as food.
8. Support the economy
Forests can be an economic resource for the country. Processed timber from forests plays an important role in the Indonesian economy. Launching from the website of the Banten Province Environment and Forestry Service, forest resources for the economic sector are:
Foreign exchange providers to build other sectors.
Forests and land as initial capital for the development of plantation and industrial activities.
The role of forestry in environmental services and the social environment of the community.
9. Prevent erosion
Forests have trees that grow thickly with roots that are able to withstand soil erosion. Not only that, mangrove forests that grow in coastal areas are able to withstand erosion due to salty sea water. Planting mangroves can provide a natural infrastructure to protect densely populated areas around the coast.
That is the benefit of the forest for human life. Preserving forests is very important to prevent climate change that threatens humankind.
Lead image from unsplash.
I wish government would do those stuffs heartily. You've shared some deep thoughts with great acknowledgement.