Significance of Forests
The significance of forests can never be underestimated as we, the humans are dependent on them for our survival. That being stated, we rely on the forests for getting the air we breathe, the wood we use to make our furniture, and for burning purposes, the green, sound, and healthy environment that we are provided with, and much more. Forests also protect our environment from different kinds of natural disasters, which adds to their utmost significance in our lives.
There are some major benefits of forests which describe their significance altogether. Let’s dive straight into them;
Forests, the Habitats for animals:
According to National Geographic as well as a Journal on Predators, Prey and Habitat Structure, Eighty percent of the animals owe their livelihood on forests. Thus, the forests favor the shelter of almost eighty percent of the animals on the earth.
This shows how significant the presence of forests is. Some of the habitats of animals which owe their existence on forests are:
Habitats of Insects:
Insects that are known for their weight equal to the weight of human beings on the earth rely on the forests for their livelihood in big percentage. In a book named Encyclopedia of Insects (Second Edition), David L. Wood and Andrew J. Storer had written that approximately half of the insect species are associated with the trees, either directly or indirectly. Same as humans and other living beings, Insects also use forest trees for their food, shelter, and diversification of their species.
Habitats of Frogs:
In a book named Herpetology (Fourth Edition), Laurie J. Vitt and Janalee P. Caldwell had described, how frog species owe their existence to forests. Frogs depend on forests for their food, shelter, safety from other species, and the reproduction phenomenon.
Forests have innumerable habitats of living beings as well as plants, which owe their existence and survival to them. Though, only a few were exemplified here.
Forests mitigate climate change:
In the Journal of Forestry (Volume 113), the role of forests is minutely explained in mitigating climate change. Forests help in mitigating climate change by;
- Maintaining the nitrogen content present in the soil.
- Becoming a source of carbon storage.
- Hindering soil erosion and land degradation with the help of their roots.
- Reducing the utilization of fertilizers by storing major soil contents
Therefore, forests play a significant role in mitigating climate change.
Repositories of medicinal compounds:
In a reporting Journal, named Plants for Life, trees and plants are considered as the direct repositories of medicinal compounds as well as discussed in detail. As for certain, most of the plants and trees have forests as their main source of existence or presence. Thus, the forests are the actual repositories of medicinal compounds such as;
- Chamomile, a flower used as ananxiolytic and a sedative for anxiety and relaxation.
- Feverfew (Leaf).
- Garlic (Cloves, root).
- Fennel, a medicinal plant that improves eyesight.
- Aloe vera, Tulsi, Mint, and ginger.
These are some of the important and mostly used medicinal plants that can be obtained from forests in plenty.
Forests create jobs:
In a magazine, named Project Learning Tree, they have mentioned different jobs that forests create i.e.,
- forester
- logger
- wildlife biologist
- sawmill worker
- birdwatcher
- hunter
In short, there are uncountable jobs that are created by as well as relying on the forests. However, only a few were enlisted above.
People rely on forests
According to research, almost twenty-five percent of the world’s population is relying on forests, which makes almost 1.6 billion people on this Earth. From the air we breathe to the furniture and a lot more things that we utilize daily for our survival, we rely on forests.
That is the reason, forests are of utmost significance in our daily lives.
