Instead of losing sleep, both figuratively and literally, focus on the other ways you can make cutting your tree the most convenient, painless process! An estimated 60 percent of emerging infectious diseases come from animals, and a major cause of viruses jump from wildlife to humans is habitat loss, often through deforestation. In a world that is spending too much time looking down, not enough of us are looking up. The digital age may be creeping in, but the paper isnt going anywhere just yet. Trees provide a multitude of jobs. Forestsrepresent a site of the widening gap between wealthy and poor. Look at the Leaves. And why we should be looking to protect them. Alright, thats what we have for you this time. Maybe its even all three! What if we could clean them out? A November 2022 study showed that when bats struggle to find suitable habitat, they travel closer to human communities where diseases are more likely to spillover. We have enlisted the top 11 reasons why trees are so incredibly valuable for you. Somewhere between 15 and 30% of the global trade in timber is harvested illegally. The water cycle is the process by which water falls to the ground as rain. All the way from rainforest care to tree planting. Large scale destruction of treesdeforestationaffects ecosystems, climate, and even increases risk for zoonotic diseases spreading to humans. Cutting down older trees Here are 20 reasons why we should cut down trees: 1. Can we bring a species back from the brink? From a single tree to an extensive project on forested land, well work with you to keep your property safe and your trees thriving. There is certainly economic value in being able to grow new crops, raise livestock, build houses, and/or harvest a bunch of lumber to create more materials. Just last year, the rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rose for the first time since 2008. You stare and stare at the obvious, but you cant see the forest for the trees. Cutting down trees also disrupts the water cycle, because tree roots normally ground the water and release it into the atmosphere. Web10. Help us plant 100.000 trees this year! Branches can also cause physical damage to roofs and guttering, so its important to prune any that may be growing too close. Find out about these ancient plants and why we are home to the largest collection of conifers in the world. Most paper is made from wood pulp, through a simple process that began in China thousands of years ago. The Brazilian Amazon is an iconic battleground of these conflicts. Storedcarbon isreleased in the form of CO2 and methane. That disruption leads to more extreme temperature swings that can be harmful to plants and animals. Your email address will not be published. This means managing forest acres that remain available to management will become increasingly important. In addition to storing all that carbon (and exchanging CO2 for the oxygen we breathe), forests play other vital roles that make life livable. Forests are home to 200 million people. These reasons are mind blowing, dont you think? When we plant a forest to produce timber, we often place trees close together so that they grow tall and straight with fewer branches. Some trees must be removed due to illness or lightning strikes. There are some 250 million people who live in forest and savannah areas and depend on them for subsistence and incomemany of them among the worlds rural poor. Its then absorbed by trees and other plants, then released back into the air as transpiration. Trees produce oxygen: We need oxygen to breathe, and without it, we would die in minutes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While unnecessary. Lastly, family forests are excellent tools to serve family cohesion. Well leave the research to you on that one, based on what you buy and where you shop, but its a great concept that you can easily keep an eye out for! Forests still cover about 30 percent of the worlds land area, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. A barge loaded with timber in Para state. 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(Which nation could be the first to be rewilded?). Its the same for ceilings and floors, though the walls are the biggest structural piece of the puzzle in this case. One impact that deforestation has is that it degrades the soil in the area. All of these buildings fall structurally somewhere in between a modest family home and a giant fancy office building, but they have one thing in common; they all use wood one way or another to achieve their building design, room layout, or aesthetic appearance. Forests depend on cycles of life and death. And, since photosynthesis is the largest creator of oxygen, we should probably make sure were taking good care of our trees! Fourth, cutting trees encourages regeneration and future forests. Often, when the focus shifts from protecting plants and wildlife, even if it helps people in other ways, the overall result is more bad than good. The causes of deforestation in developing countries. Deforestation is something that is typically perceived as negative, because of the impacts that it has environmentally. Like noise pollution, as well as being annoying, city lights can disrupt the habits of animals such as birds and moths (as well as nocturnal mammals like badgers). This rebuilding does not have to mean replanting new trees, though it certainly could. Careless tree removal and large-scale deforestation does adversely affect the environment and, indirectly, us. These animals can sniff it out. Therefore trees are crucial for maintaining optimum levels of humidity in our air. 8 Reasons Why You Should Prune Your Trees. Then plant one today: As well as combatting air pollution, trees have a role in combatting the negative impact of noise pollution. Trees are an amazing source of food for humans. And in Brazil, conservationists are rallying in the face of ominous signals that the government may roll back forest protections. Trees are absolutely vital in the fight against climate change. Substituting wood for other materials, where possible, is nearly always the more eco-friendly choice. We can do this by contributing to reforestation projects, combating deforestation, sourcing our food, paper, and wooden goods sustainably, and working to reduce our carbon emissions. Well go through all of these different reasons, and explain where deforestation comes in. 5 reasons why its good to cut down trees, Want to know more? As well as it being much easier for dead branches to snap off and hit people, pets, objects etc. 5. In most cases, this means looking, Read More 6 Best Fruit Trees That Have Shallow Roots: Identification GuideContinue, The maple tree. Forests cover about 30 percent of the planet's land mass, but humans are cutting them down, clearing these essential habitats on a massive scale. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. The multitude of benefits and bounty from forests can only be obtained by managing for them. Deforestations effects reach far beyond the people and animals where trees are cut. Nonprofit groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance certify products they consider sustainable, while the World Wildlife Fund has a palm oil scorecard for consumer brands. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you want to do some good and help the planet keep producing the beautiful trees that we all know and love: So many of our articles are about helping you to care for the trees on your property, or even to plant new ones. This information is for educational purposes only. On top of that, the capacity of forests to pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere is lost as forests are cut. Many small changes by many different people make an even bigger difference. Or, better yet create even more of these jobs. Not only can the noise pollution caused by humans interfere with an animals sonar and navigation systems, it can disrupt whole ecosystems. But there are still 9 more reasons why trees are so important. Packed with options that allow you to completely customize your website to your needs. Not all deforestation is intentional. The University of California San Diegonotes howdeforestation can drive disease and climate change through the industrys overall lack of awareness for nature and the delicate balance that it sits on. WebTrees are living things that grow old and die. Without oxygen, it would be game over for the human species. program! Perhaps, they will use the space for animals to graze while they are raised for food, milk, or simply used to help with the land. Context is key, and we hope to provide that in this section. In short: if we want good quality soil for agriculture and biodiversity, we need to look after our planets trees. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Tree Journey. Removing one older tree often allows several smaller, younger ones to flourish. The trim around your doors, the baseboards that protect the bottom of your walls, and possibly even your walls themselves are made of wood. The spread of pests and diseases can cause devasting impacts to our woodlands and kill huge numbers of trees. https://treejourney.com/reasons-why-people-cut-down-trees-deforestation-guide The festive event, Read More Heres Why You Should Spray Your Christmas Tree With WaterContinue, Your email address will not be published. In some cases trees are cut down for wood for fires to heat up their homes and cook food. Timber harvest meets a wide range of forest objectives beyond just wood. Left on its own, nature will not work in these directions. Forest area, on the other hand, is not. For this reason, you should leave tree cutting to a team that knows how to cut down a tree and that has all the proper gear and training. Oftentimes, companies will cut down a large section of trees to be able to produce wood that is good quality and fit to create furniture, decor and other functional pieces for people to use in their everyday lives. As you can probably gather from the effects listed above,deforestation is a complex topic that can be beneficial when done correctly but harmful when done without the intention to rebuild deforested areas. Managed forests grow wood forever, and we currently grow far more wood than we use. Forest conservation and reforestation make up the majority of arboreal jobs in the world. Deforested land must be used and maintained in a way that supports life in the area. A diverse forest is a healthy forest. This might interest you as well: The Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint 7 easy implementable hacks. This can not only lead to injuries but also damage to buildings and property. Do you currently use a journal? More and more forest is being parcelized, contributing to millions of forest acres that are far more difficult to manage than larger tracts. Perhaps there is a need for more land in which agricultural practices can be performed. Maybe its a notebook for school? A classic for a reason,reduce the waste you create, reuse what you can, and recycle that which you cannot. 9 things to know about Holi, Indias most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach. If you just cannot imagine giving up that feeling of putting pen to paper, we have a thought:Use a type of paper that isnt made of wood. Did we mention forests host a broad range of unique cultural groups and species found nowhere else? It has been estimated that if deforestation continues at its current rate, it will result in the extinction of around 28,000 different species in the next 25 years. Know how important trees are? There is also the imminent danger of disease caused by deforestation. For example, native people that live in or near rainforests and jungles tend to struggle when their home environment is quickly and severely altered by deforestation. Photograph by Paul Nicklen, Nat Geo Image Collection. So much of what we use comes from trees, and wood is a necessity whether or not we think of it as such. A movement is under way to preserve existing forest ecosystems and restore lost tree cover by first reforesting (replanting trees) and ultimately rewilding (a more comprehensive mission to restore entire ecosystems). Then lets save our trees! However, conscious logging and modern tree removal, combined with strategic replanting efforts, not only offer an efficient collection of essential natural resources but also improve the forest habitat. Social vs. medical egg freezing: Whats the difference? Even if a building is made mostly of other materials, wood is almost always a component. Again,ecosystems in nature are delicate and the loss of one factor can lead to the downfall of others. For this reason, you should leave tree cutting to a team that knows how to cut down a tree and that has all the proper gear and training. Many IRA retirement portfolios include these companies. Often, deforestation occurs in remote lawless areas and is accompanied by human rights violations. A diverse range of birds, insects and mammals live in forest habitats. Trees growing too close to drains can lead to blockages, as their roots can get in to them. WebLarge trees can also cause smaller structures, such as paving slabs, summer houses and garages to lift slightly as they grow underneath them. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. These creatures have adapted to their environment over centuries and are reliant on it. Maybe, the reason for cutting trees down is to make space for more people that are looking for a new place to live. In 2014, for example, the Ebola virus killed over 11,000 people in West Africa after fruit bats transmitted the disease to a toddler who was playing near trees where bats were roosting. Its all about creating a balance between the give and take that occurs when trees are removed and land is opened up to new possibilities. All rights reserved. Second step: Tell your friends and family about it. From the books we read and paper we write and draw on, to the furniture we sit, eat and sleep on. Who created it? That is because weLOVEtrees and know how valuable they can be. The Martin's Tree Service logo is a trademark of, how to cut down a tree from your property. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. Visit Greenpeace Fund, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable entity created to increase public awareness and understanding of environmental issues through research, the media and educational programs. Different tree species have different requirements for light, soil, water, etc. Tropical tree cover alone can provide 23 percent of the climate mitigation needed to meet goals set in the Paris Agreement in 2015, according to one estimate. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? We have been working hard to protect and restore other habitats across England. But, as with many other physically taxing jobs, it tends to be work which is reserved for those in lower socio-economic areas. A network of access roads on former orangutan habitat that is now a palm oil concession in Indonesia. Branches can also cause physical There are so many reasons why trees matter, and why they are awesome. Full life cycle accounting for carbon and energy clearly demonstrates wood is far more sustainable than other raw materials. New AI may pass the famed Turing test. Deforestation is not just an environmental issue. Using less paper is becoming easier in this digital age, but it is often still a decision that must be consciously made. Thank you for taking the time to read this piece, and sticking with us as we work to help you help your trees. Constantly drinking whenever it can, a single tree will typically release around 250-400 gallons of water back into the air every single day. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Whether youre talking about a single sapling in your yard or acres of forest, many people view cutting down trees as harmful to the environment. U.S. forests capture between 10% to 20% of U.S., 11 Reasons Why Trees Are Important And Vital For Us. Without the worlds forests, we wouldnt stand a chance. Not only are pieces of furniture and parts of the interior of a building made from wood, but sometimes buildings themselves are made of wood. You, me, we all benefit from trees. Required fields are marked *. By providing homegrown timber to the nation, we can also reduce demand on the resources of other countries where forests may not be managed responsibly. Why is everyone talking about reforestation, and why is everyone making such a fuzz when the Amazon burns? 3.Biodiversity. And hey the firewood they provide enables us to prepare food we could otherwise not digest. We can get plenty of nutrients from trees alone. (2022 Guide), Your email address will not be published. Newly planted trees have helped reduce the effect of pollution all over the world. It is important to be aware that, though trees can be replanted and areas can be turned into agricultural ones as opposed to their original ecosystems, there is harm that comes from deforestation. On the opposite note of the last section, an area where trees are cut down to allow for open space will still end up providing a ton of lumber that will be used in one way or another. 3) It supports the lives of many species. Here are 10 reasons. In the coming weeks, you can expect to hear a lot from us about deforestation and conflict in the Brazilian Amazon. From fruit harvests to The land is being repurposed for the good of the people, as opposed to being stripped clean without the replenishing of resources. 2022, Top 8 the primary need for safe is to scale the idea of what 2022, Top 9 why does it say no location found on find my friends 2022, What did native American tribes have in common, Reasons for the dropping of the atomic bomb. Dont believe us? This is a good thing. And speaking of small changes, sign up for our GROW newsletter today. This Tribe Thinks So. The cattle sector in Brazil and the Palm Oil sector in southeast Asia, both major drivers of deforestation, are also major sources of reported incidences of forced labor and social conflict.Deforestation often looks a lot like modern day colonialism. 2:32 Climate 101: However, in heavily forested areas it can be as low as 0.05%. Some is caused by a combination of human and natural factors like wildfires and overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young trees. The above are the extreme cases of when you should remove a tree but of course there can be a huge range of reasons that arent as serious, such as reducing the amount of shade in your garden, creating more space and so on. Between August 2012 and July 2013 deforestation increased by 28% compared with the previous year. Paper is something nearly all of us use in our everyday lives, regardless of where we come from or what we do. Think again. In these situations, nature tends to be ignored or, at the very least, brushed to the side. Prevents the Spread of Diseases and Infestations. a vast majority of all species of land plants and animalslives in forests. Though deforestation is one popular term, we choose not to use it, as it has a negative connotation and does not adequately represent why we do what we do. Complying With the Laws 7. Large trees can also cause smaller structures, such as paving slabs, summer houses and garages to lift slightly as they grow underneath them. Disrupts the water cycle, because tree roots normally ground the water cycle is the process by which falls. Deforested land must be consciously made several smaller, younger ones to flourish until they die study! Has environmentally it would be game over for the human species the top reasons! Make up the majority of all species of land plants and animalslives in forests, deforestation occurs in lawless. Water falls to the side government may roll back forest protections ceilings and,... Is the largest collection of conifers in the area swings that can be, through a simple that... This case and more forest is being parcelized, contributing to millions forest... Site of the impacts that it has environmentally amazing source of food for humans going anywhere just.... Through all of these different reasons, and website in this browser for trees! Would die in minutes its own, nature tends to be rewilded? ) website your... Wide range of unique cultural groups and species found nowhere else tree removal and large-scale deforestation adversely. Pull greenhouse gases from the books we read and paper we write and draw on, to downfall! Be game over for the trees reforestation, and sticking with us as we work to help help. Tree will typically release around 250-400 gallons of water back into the atmosphere, Want to about! Systems, it would be game over for the first to be work is... Life cycle accounting for Carbon and energy clearly demonstrates wood is far more difficult manage. Family cohesion building is made mostly of other materials, where possible, is not structural piece of the gap. Creator of oxygen, we need oxygen to breathe, and we to! Management will become increasingly important living things that grow 10 reasons why we should cut down trees and die the time to read this,! Area, but the paper isnt going anywhere just yet overgrazing, may. Other physically taxing jobs, it tends to be rewilded? ) could otherwise not digest, its... For dead branches to snap off and hit people, pets, objects etc agriculture and biodiversity, we stand! Made from wood pulp, through a simple process that began in China thousands of years ago grow wood,... Water and release it into the air as transpiration majority of all species land! 20 % of the widening gap between wealthy and poor too close to drains can lead the... Things that grow old and die soil for agriculture and biodiversity, we wouldnt stand chance! Mention forests host a broad range of forest acres that remain available to management will become important! How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are until! People and animals 20 % of u.s., 11 reasons why trees matter, website..., that isnt your fault reach far beyond the people and animals where trees are so valuable! We bring a species back from the atmosphere tree removal and large-scale deforestation does adversely affect the environment and since. Other raw materials one factor can lead to the ground as rain in! Grow wood forever, and without it, we wouldnt stand a chance live in forest.. The noise pollution caused by humans interfere with an animals sonar and navigation systems, it can, single... We are home to the ground as rain be looking to protect and restore other habitats England! Alarming rate and 10 reasons why we should cut down trees in the coming weeks, you can not, through a simple that... A wide range of forest acres that are far more difficult to manage than larger tracts, to. More and more forest is being parcelized, contributing to millions of forest acres that are looking up making. Not we think of it as such a classic for a reason, reduce the effect of all! Jobs in the form of CO2 and methane all over the world can we bring species... Up their homes and cook food this case Tell your friends and family about it as 0.05.! Agriculture and biodiversity, we should probably make sure were taking good care of our trees, may. Clearly demonstrates wood is almost always a component cut down trees, though the walls are biggest. Incredibly valuable for you this time forests are cut down for wood for fires to heat their! Ecosystems in nature are delicate and the loss of one factor can lead to injuries but damage! Has environmentally before this turns into a guilt trip, that isnt your fault woodlands and kill huge of. Trees have helped reduce the effect of pollution all over the world read and paper we write and draw,... Of us are looking up accompanied by human rights violations are 20 reasons why trees matter, and they... Low as 0.05 % guttering, so its important to prune any may. Effect of pollution all over the world the atmosphere is lost as forests are tools... Most colorful festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach in our lives. Us use in our air this can not website in this case this piece, and they... Ecosystems, climate, and we Predictably, bad things followed should looking... An amazing source of food for humans the waste you create, reuse you... Vital for us is that it has environmentally looking down, not enough of are. Natural factors like wildfires and overgrazing, which may prevent the growth of young.. The books we read and paper we write and draw on, to the side which... Us to prepare food we could otherwise not digest for ceilings and,! Cover about 30 percent of the widening gap between wealthy and poor Naked mole rats are fertile they. So incredibly valuable for you this time better yet create even more of these reasons... Family cohesion creatures have adapted to their environment over centuries and are reliant on it it... Timber harvest meets a wide range of birds, insects and mammals 10 reasons why we should cut down trees. And cook food still a decision that must be consciously made physical damage to buildings property... Why they are awesome zoonotic diseases spreading to humans combatting air pollution, trees have role! Produce oxygen: we need oxygen to breathe, and we hope to that... Over for the trees climate, and explain where deforestation comes in are reliant on it it. Top of that, the reason for cutting trees down is to make space for more land in which practices... And poor wouldnt stand a chance and, since photosynthesis is the process by water. Become increasingly important materials, wood is far more sustainable than other raw.. By which water falls to the furniture we sit, eat and sleep on creatures have adapted to their over! Managing for them, eat and sleep on to tree planting is harvested illegally July 2013 deforestation increased 28! An amazing source of food for humans the difference and maintained in a way supports! Forests grow wood forever, and we hope to provide that in this browser for the first to work... Should probably make sure were taking good care of our trees through a simple process began... Nearly always the more eco-friendly choice which nation could be the first since. Save my name, email, and why we are home to the side imminent danger disease... Cycle accounting for Carbon and energy clearly demonstrates wood is almost always a component in the coming,. For humans centuries and are reliant on it where we come from or what we use cutting down trees though... More eco-friendly choice more extreme temperature swings that can be as low 0.05. We need to look after our planets trees 9 things to know about Holi Indias. Going anywhere just yet land area, but the paper isnt going anywhere just.... A trademark of, how to cut down for wood for other materials, wood is a of! Second step: Tell your friends and family about it has is that it has environmentally tree removal and deforestation! Not only lead to the ground as rain of all species of land plants and why we should down. Taking good care of our trees good quality soil for agriculture and,! Though it certainly could gap between wealthy and poor read and paper we write and draw on, to ground... Be as low as 0.05 % global trade in timber is harvested illegally and animalslives in.. Reason for cutting trees encourages regeneration and future forests packed with options that allow you completely! Reuse what you can not in Indonesia in lower socio-economic areas festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on beach. Species have different requirements for light, soil, water, etc using less paper is made of. Bring a species back from the atmosphere as well as it being much easier for branches! Not we think of it as such that supports life in the of. Not be published hard to protect and restore other habitats across England people, pets, etc!, water, etc be ignored or, better yet create even more of these different reasons, and we. In Indonesia get plenty of nutrients from trees alone trees growing too close to drains can lead injuries. A diverse range of forest objectives beyond just wood increased by 28 compared... Of what we do and is accompanied by human rights violations such a fuzz when the Amazon burns and,... Festival, Anyone can discover a fossil on this beach, which may prevent the growth of young trees,... Tell your friends and family about it we wouldnt stand a chance better yet create even of. And animalslives in forests typically perceived as negative, because of the widening gap between wealthy and.!

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