Written by Isioma Princess Odiakaose (MBA, M.Sc.)
Happy Independence Day, dear readers!I hope you have started spreading the message of adopting environmental friendly activities. Today, we will be discussing on the benefits of tree planting. Trees are highly beneficial to man but due to high population and the need for land to build houses, industries, airports, construct roads, tarmac and make furnitures.Trees are being fell indiscriminately. According to the United Nations environment programme the world has lost 80 percent of original forests in the last decade.
The benefit of trees includes the following:
Provision of fruits to consume fruits to consume.
A well landscaped tree beautifies an area.
It provides shield that protects us from ultra violet rays.
It is a source of food.
It is a source of medicinal herbs.i.e Quinine is gotten from quinine tree barks.
It provides pulp used for making paper.
It provides wood used for furniture.
The above listed benefits are majorly the economic and social benefits of the environment. As environmentalist we want to look deeply into the environmental benefits of having trees.
First, trees help to purify the environment. During photosynthesis trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen which is the highly needed gas for man’s survival. Leaves sequester gaseous pollutants such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide,sulphur dioxide through their leaf surfaces and cut off small particulate matters such as ash,dust,pollen and smoke. Trees also help to regulate the climate by improving air quality. By planting trees in the urban areas we can diminish heat effect caused by industrialization, gas flaring, and energy emission.
Second, it helps to conserve energy and reduce emission as the pressure for air conditioners is reduced as the environment is often airy and cool.
Third, trees help to reduce both wind and water erosion. It also controls soil erosion by reducing the impact of raindrops on barren surfaces thus reducing soil run off. Wind speed and direction is greatly controlled by trees. Thus, the trees acts as wind breakers and its more effective when the trees are more compacted.
Fourth, trees provide a habitat and refuge for urban wildlife that have been displaced by development. Thus, some of the species are saved from extinction.
Fifth, studies have shown that vegetative shades are very effective in reducing noise pollution. By planting trees, we consciously help to restore the greatly altercated environment as a result of development activities to a more natural environment. Also, natural harmony is restored to the urban environment which is the panacea to fighting environmental crises like flooding, drought, global warming and species loss that has continues to plagued man an the environment.
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