Nature has gifted us trees who stand still‚ shielding our environment and making our lives greener and happier․ Apart from a feast for our eyes‚ they provide innumerable health benefits which we seldom notice․ Trees are an integral part of our lives․ Humans need trees for many purposes․ By considering the many benefits provided by trees‚ it is clear that trees are not only essential for our physical well-being‚ but also play an important role in providing emotional and social well-being in our lives․ From purifying the air we breathe to providing a sanctuary for countless species‚ trees are indispensable allies in our pursuit for a healthier planet and a more harmonious life․
Purifying The Air With Trees
One of the best known benefits of trees is their ability to absorb and retain polluting gases such as carbon dioxide‚ sulfur dioxide‚ and nitrogen dioxide and as a by-product produce oxygen which is so vital to life․ Apart from assisting in the regulation of climate change‚ photosynthesis also provides respiratory health benefits to all life․ Trees are especially important in urban areas‚ where industrial and vehicular pollution may have meaningful negative human health effects‚ but parks‚ trees and other green spaces can greatly improve air quality by reducing the amount of air pollutants‚ especially particulates‚ in the air․ When air quality improves‚ so do lung health‚ levels of asthma‚ and rates of cardiovascular disease․ Trees provide more than beauty‚ they also provide life for the communities they serve․
Furthermore‚ trees have a considerable impact on mental health․ Research has found that time spent in natural environments with trees can improve health by decreasing tension‚ anxiety and depression․ It is scientifically proven that nature is relaxing․ Using trees to surround yourself is also a great way to try to slow down your thoughts through mindfulness․ Things like walking through a park or sitting under a tree can help you feel calm․ In addition‚ nature encourages social interactions in public green spaces where social networks and connections are formed and maintained; such contacts are essential for emotional health․ Therefore‚ trees can play a positive role as facilitators of social and emotional health․
Creating An Ecosystem With Trees
Trees are home to many animals and plants‚ and their variety of shapes and sizes contribute to landscapes․ They can also help to create an ecosystem in which many plants and animals thrive․ Different animals live in and around the tree and may even nest in its branches․ Insects live on the bark and mammals feed on the fruit and foliage‚ and these interactions are essential in maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem․ The outcrossing of plants depends on the pollinators supported by trees‚ and deforestation adversely impacts this process․ This results in loss of biodiversity and the loss of plant food sources for humans‚ and this in turn can adversely affect the environment in other ways․ For this reason‚ it is important not only to conserve existing forests but also to plant new trees‚ preserving the many forms of life they support․
Trees also prevent floods: trees with large root systems help to absorb stormwater‚ which reduces surface runoff during storms․ Once the trees absorb the stormwater‚ they filter the water out through percolation into the soil‚ which decreases soil erosion and reduces flash flooding caused from direct stormwater runoff on the land․ In cities‚ trees can help reduce flood risk․ As impermeable surfaces can lead to rapid increases in runoff after a rainstorm‚ trees have a role to play in cities by retaining water․ The shade from trees reduces the air temperature around them․ By preventing water evaporation and allowing water to permeate the soil (percolation)‚ trees serve to slow or halt flooding‚ protect private and public infrastructure‚ and even provide general improvements to the quality of local groundwater․ Trees are indeed‚ nature's guardians․
Preventing Global Warming With Trees
One effect of this expansion is the urban heat island effect․ As an area becomes urbanized‚ there is more concrete and steel than in its rural state․ Because concrete and steel hold more heat than other materials‚ the climate becomes harsher for the inhabitants․ Trees can combat the UHI effect through shading of buildings and absorption of solar energy‚ both of which reduce surface and air temperature in urban areas․ The cooling effect of trees can reduce energy use for air conditioning‚ and therefore‚ greenhouse gas emissions․ These and other effects of climate change can be addressed at the local level by trees which can create sustainable cities that allow people to thrive‚ not merely survive․ An effective urban forest can make a city cooler‚ healthier and a more pleasant place to live and work․
It is difficult to summarize the value of trees in a few words․ From the air we breathe‚ to the ecosystem we depend on‚ to aesthetic enjoyment‚ trees touch all aspects of our life․ Investing in trees means investing in our health and in the future of our planet․ They're part of our relationship‚ our commitment with trees and the earth‚ and everybody can do it by keeping the trees that we have‚ planting trees and saving trees and forests․ The results of just planting that tree could have health benefits for generations․ The ten health benefits of trees described in this report could be just the beginning․ Trees are not only a natural resource to be used‚ but they are partners that can help us become healthier people and allow us to provide a vision for a healthier planet for future generations․
