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.