Forests, trees and larger forms of vegetation are very important to our
existence. Reasons for their importance include :
- Conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen on a continual basis (as
opposed to cropping)
- Holds soil together and stops erosion
- Absorbs rainfall and water run-off
- Slows water run-off that is not absorbed and helps mitigate flooding
- Used prudently, provides fuel and building materials on a renewable
basis
- Supports other plant life
- Provides shelter,food and habitat for many species of life
Deforestation, particularly on a large scale or if widespread in its
practice, has been the cause of heavy rainfall becoming floods. Denuded
high ground has not absorbed or impeded the flow of water, with
catastrophic results.
Trees are a more "permanent" form of "carbon capture and storage" than
annual crops.
Ponder This ...
- Does large scale logging and destruction/conversion of rain forest
change the mass distribution on earth and therefore the balance ?
- What is the impact on carbon dioxide absorption ?
- To what extent has the replacement trees with terraced crops on
hillsides (for wheat in Pakistan for instance) resulted in flooding or
more severe flooding below ?