Why Plants
We tend
to forget the importance of plants and often take them for granted. You may
think there is nothing much to the plants and trees that are around us everyday
but they are vital for life and our long-term survival. Plants are an essential
resource; we rely on them for food, water, medicine, the air we breathe,
habitat and our climate. In addition to all of these benefits they are
important for our wellbeing.
Habitat
Plants are incredibly important for providing
habitats for a huge number of different species. A good example of this is the
English oak. They support more life than any other native tree. They provide
habitat for hundreds of insects and food for birds and mammals such as deer and
badger. They support fungi, lichens and even bats. Bat species will roost in
old woodpecker holes or under loose bark and then feed on the insects in the
tree canopy. Native wildlife depends on native plant and tree species like the
English oak, as without them they would not be able to sustain themselves.
Air pollution
There is range of chemical
pollutants that can cause problems to health in industrial and urban
environments. It has been increasingly shown that the presence of green spaces
in these areas can be vital in acting as a sink for these pollutants, therefore
improving air quality. Any green space has the capability of reducing air
pollution. Woodland planted in the right areas near urban and industrial
environments would be particularly effective due to the increase in surface
area able to absorb the pollutants.
Soil quality
Plants and trees are
incredibly important for maintaining good soil condition. Their roots and the
microorganisms that live around their roots hold the soil together, reducing
the likelihood of soil erosion. When leaves fall from the trees and when plants
die, they decompose, fertilising the soil and enabling other plants to grow and
thrive.
Climate
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases that contributes to
climate change. Plants take in CO2 and release oxygen through the process of
photosynthesis. This CO2 is used as building blocks for new tissue such as their
trunk, branches, leaves, and roots acting as carbon stores. However, when
forests are cut or burnt the huge amounts of carbon that has been stored in
plant tissue and the soil is released into the atmosphere. This is why it is so
important to protect these habitats, especially ancient primary forests
containing native species that have had little human disturbance in that past.
Wellbeing
Trees and plants are not
only good for the environment they can benefit our general wellbeing as well.
Research has shown that having access to woodland can have several benefits,
including increase in physical health, mental wellbeing and our quality of
life. Studies also show that exercise in these green spaces can reduce stress
and anxiety, improve self-esteem and mood.
Medicine
Plants play an important
role in the discovery of new drugs and many blockbuster drugs are derived
either directly or indirectly from plants. It is important that we protect
biodiversity of plants so that new drug discoveries can be made in the future.
This not only has a huge impact on health but also an economic benefit.
Food
Without plants
there would be no food. All carbon in proteins, fats and carbohydrates is
derived from photosynthesis in plants. Everything we eat, including meat from
animals (which feed on plants) is a result of plants using the energy in
sunlight to take carbon dioxide and create complex carbon-containing molecules.