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The Benefits of Reforestation

Global reforestation is a major topic today and a worthwhile cause for those concerned about the environment. More and more people are getting involved in reforestation in order to protect the environment and create a better place for their children to grow up. There are a number of positive impacts that this cause will make. Reforestation will provide many benefits on a chemical, social and biological level. Planting new trees can help to decrease the overall amount of carbon gas that is found in the atmosphere. arbon gases like carbon dio!ide and methane are dangers and have the potential to significantly contribute to the global climate changes. Trees live off of carbon gases and will effectively eat up these gases in order to survive. Planting trees, especially young trees, will help to eliminate dangerous levels of these gases in the atmosphere and produce better air "uality overall. Reforestation also has the potential to preserve endangered species. #y providing a safer environment or habitat for many species, forest trees allow these species to live on. They provide animals with food, shelter and shade from sunlight. utting down too many trees creates an unsafe environment for several animal species. Planting new trees and eliminating over$deforestation will help to preserve these species that can include native mammals, birds, insect and others. %eforestation also threatens food resources by causing erosion. Planting new trees will help to sustain precious food sources by protecting them from erosion. &n areas that e!perience major droughts, trees can help to raise the water levels and help drier areas to experience sustainable amounts of water for animals, plants and humans. 'ne can see that there are a number of benefits to reforestation. Those who want to contribute to the environment can learn more about replanting trees and eliminating over$ deforestation. Planting trees will help to fight against global climate change and protect endangered species from extinction. &t will also enable humans to better address world hunger issues as well as issues dealing with water usage and availability. (nyone wanting to learn more about reforestation can take the time to read more on the topic or contact their local agricultural offices to learn what can be done on a more local level. &f you are still not convinced, just check some deforestation facts. )veryone can make a difference in the environment. Reforestation is an easy and e!cellent place to begin to change the world. Reforestation The purpose of this written report is to inform the reader about the concerns and facts involved with reforestation. Reforestation began in 'ntario after *orld *ar &&. *hat happened was, professional foresters were assigned to an area and became responsible for its well being. +nder the rown Timber (ct, long term management was prepared. Then the many steps needed to rebuild a forest began. &ncluded in this report will be information on the effects of cutting and replanting, such as arbon %io!ide, and Global *arming. ,ollowing this will be methods for planning a forest, and how they are conveyed before planting in a forest begins. There are many reasons why forests are cut down. 'ne is to benefit economically,

with furniture and home building. #ut there is also another reason. (rguments say -the +nited .tates could help slow the atmospheric accumulation of carbon dio!ide by replacing old$growth forests with faster$growing young trees-. ( new study of young and old forests says how this is in fact not true. /oggers have said that new trees pull the carbon dio!ide better than old trees, and this may seem true, but it is not. There is one point being overlooked from all of this. The older, larger trees can store much, much more carbon dio!ide than a new tree could. #y cutting and burning these magnificent seasoned trees, the '0 is being released back into the atmosphere. These releases of carbon dio!ide add up in our surroundings, only to intensify Global *arming. (lthough this shows what happens when one burns and cuts down old forests, one must still plant new trees for long term plans, not letting them grow for a few years, to then cut them down. There are many methods for planning a forest. The simplest method of replanting a forest is to leave it to nature. ( suitable seed bed in which trees will readily take root is integral for successful regeneration. Reducing competition by eliminating grass, weed or shrubs is another re"uirement in securing a new crop of trees. These will sprout to produce seedlings. Though the weeds were eliminated before, they still grow back, and because of this poor, "uality trees will grow. (nother method though, is to create a planned forest, where new conifers are grown from seed in a special nursery. .eeding is a reforestation techni"ue used mainly in the #oreal forest area where fire or logging tends to leave no or very little seeds for growth. &n specific cases, Ministry staff seed the area with treated tree seeds. ,ollowing this is the planting. &n many cases, planting is the only means of initiating a new forest. +p to 12 222 222 trees are planted annually in 'ntario on rown and private land. +sually immature forests have to be tended to. 'nce situated, a new crop needs intermittent care for the ne!t 32 to 422 years. This means continuing protection from fires, disease and insects and routine thinning to focus the growth on selected crop trees. #efore a forest can be grown, certain procedures must first occur. ollecting and processing seeds is one of them. Tree flowers fertili5ed by blowing winds or insects generate seed, in a time of somewhere within 4 to 0 years. .eed collecting from the woods must be timed with periodically occurring good seed years. (ngus, near #arrie, is where all forest tree seed collection is co$ ordinated. .tock of seeds can value up to 6722 222. +sually this is around 8 billion seeds from 79 tree classes. &n summary of the aforesaid, trees are very valuable to the human race economically and for health. *ithout trees the environment could worsen to the point where we would be living on one large dessert. *e must remember that forest do not grow as easily as they used to because of fires and other disasters. This is why many forests are planned, and cared for. Most of us will never now how they turn out because for a forest to completely grow, it needs within anywhere from 32 to 422 years or more.

There are many reasons why we should have reforestation. 'ne being mostly that we need forest to live: *ithout forests, or any type of plant, the carbon cycle can;t result. There are not many arguments against reforestation, but there can be some opposition for the land being used between a large business company and the Ministry. & feel replanting of forests is very crucial to the human race. The earth depends on many cycles, where one organism depends on the other because of what it does. *e, e!hale carbon dio!ide which the trees take in, while they give off vital o!ygen. &n closing, we live in an age of technology, leaving behind us the past. *ith the past we are forgetting forests< we must make sure this doesn;t happen.

(s more people become concerned about protecting the environment, many are looking into the potential ways they can contribute to the global environmentalist movement. (mong the programs that eco$friendly citi5ens should consider supporting are global reforestation projects. The positive impact of reforestation is substantial, providing a host of benefits to the chemical, biological, and social dimensions of the global ecosphere. Reforestation is an Effective Green House Gas/Carbon e!uestration trategy 'ne of the most prominent dangers of global deforestation is the accumulation of carbon$ based greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dio!ide in the atmosphere, gases which have the potential to contribute to global climate change. Trees thrive on carbon gases, using carbon molecules to produce everything from sugar during photosynthesis to cellulose and wood as they grow. Planting trees, particularly young ones, effectively se"uesters substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon, because, as trees grow, they transform carbon in the air into biomass =wood, foliage, glucose, etc.>. #ecause of this, reforestation is a very effective strategy for decreasing the amount of carbon gas in the atmosphere, an important step in the fight against global climate change. (ds by Google C"# Removal '0 Removal made easy with the Molecular Gate adsorption system www.moleculargate.com e!uestration $onitoring .urface )"uipment for Monitoring .oil ,lu!es. www.licor.com?se"uestration '0

Reforestation %reserves Endangered &ildlife and hrin'ing Habitats ,orest trees serve as habitat space for many thousands of species which use them for food, shade, and shelter. Particularly in the (ma5onian rain forest, deforestation threatens the e!istence of many of )arth@s most spectacular plant and animal species. Reforestation projects which use indigenous tree species preserve natural habitat space for native insects, mammals, birds, and more.

Replanting native forests also ensures forest corridor space which allows forest animals to move freely between sections of mature forest. This prevents animals from being trapped in dangerous or resource$depleted areas, allowing them to survive even in the midst of regional deforestation or habitat loss. Reforestation (lleviates &orld Hunger and &ater (vailability )ssues Many indigenous peoples are dependent on local, native trees for sustenance, relying on fruits, nuts, and forest animal species as a primary source of food. #ecause of this, deforestation threatens the livelihood of villagers in many parts of the world. Reforestation, then, alleviates the loss of food resources among native forest peoples. /ikewise, planting of fruit?nut bearing trees in other parts of the world afflicted by famine and food shortages provides a nutritious, renewable source of food for hungry people. M'R) 'A TB&. T'P&

Roc' tars Committed to Environmentalist Cause Reforestation as a olution to Global &arming and &orld Hunger Haiti * Environmentally +riendly Reforestation olution

Trees also help sustain food resources by protecting against erosion, thereby preserving soil "uality for agriculture. &n arid regions and areas e!periencing drought, planting trees also has the potential to raise the water table, providing much needed water for those living in dry areas. /ikewise, trees preserve soil moisture and moderate regional temperatures, preventing the spread of deserts. +ltimately, there are many compelling reasons to support reforestation projects for those looking to contribute to an environmental cause. The world@s forests are among its most important resources, and protecting them will go a long way towards fighting global climate change, protecting endangered species and their habitats, and addressing world hunger? water availability issues. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCC Det there is a rapidly growing population in Guatemala, and with it, a growing demand for food and for firewood. &n general, the conversion of forested lands for agriculture and livestock production and the unmanaged harvesting of wood are the greatest threats to tropical forests. ,or some people, it is important to protect the forests from these threats, while others are more concerned with providing for their families. &n some cases, the people do not understand the importance of the forests until they are gone, when their water supplies disappear or their soil erodes "uickly or the local climate changes. To combat deforestation in the region, )co/ogic is helping the rural poor of Me!ico and entral (merica to utili5e and manage their forest resources more efficiently and to restore their forests through reforestation projects. &n this way, forests can be both protected and sustainably managed in order to help local people to meet their needs. Reforestation is the reestablishment or e!pansion of a forest which was previously destroyed or degraded. .ometimes the reforestation occurs through natural regeneration, when seeds

from e!isting stands of trees are deposited on deforested lands, distributed by either wind, insects, birds, or other seed dispersers. 'ther times lands are reforested artificially, by planting trees on degraded or deforested lands, with species that are native to that area. The primary goal of reforestation is usually to regenerate forests, with the aim of restoring the environmental and economic benefits they provide, but reforestation activities can also provide a wealth of social benefits as well. ,rom growing seedlings to planting and cultivating them, )co/ogic;s reforestation projects not only enhance the local environment of the people who live there, but also serve as vehicles to both educate and empower. %roviding environmental services The natural benefits of trees and forests are perhaps the first thing to come to mind when one hears the word -reforestation.- The roots of trees serve as an extensive net that holds the soil in place, thereby preventing excessive erosion of the soil and its nutrients. The roots also absorb water from the soil, allowing the trees to act as natural storage tan's of freshwater, and slowing the loss of rainwater from the ecosystem through runoff. .ome of the water absorbed by trees is released into the air as water vapor through the leaves, a process called transpiration< this restores moisture to the atmosphere and helps maintain the water cycle in the local environment. &n addition to regulating the water cycle, trees regulate local temperature by providing shade, cooling both the soil and the air below the upper branches. Perhaps most importantly, trees provide natural habitat for other life forms, as a home and a food source. &n these and many other ways , trees stabili,e and maintain the soil, biodiversity, and climate of the forest. The trees around this water source help to maintain and purify the fresh water. Through their natural functions, trees can also provide environmental services valued by people. ,or e!ample, by absorbing minerals and chemicals through their roots, trees can remove pollution from the soil and from the freshwater that runs through it, such as streams used for drinking water. -rees can therefore serve as a natural water purification system, cleaning the water of the ecosystem and providing safe water for human consumption. #y the process of photosynthesis, trees capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reduce !uantities of this greenhouse gas and mitigating the effects of climate change. Moreover, by controlling the flow of surface water and reducing the runoff of soil, trees can also help mitigate the effects of extreme weather events. This reduces the occurrence of floods and mudslides, particularly in areas susceptible to disasters, such as coastal areas and mountainous regions. Trees can also reduce the ris' of droughts by retaining water in the local environment and cooling local temperatures by shading the soil. ,orests can also improve food security for people living in and around them. ,or instance, the biodiversity that depends on trees for habitat and food are often the same living things that serve as natural pollinators for agricultural crops. ,urthermore, the biomass produced by trees $ leaves, branches, the trunk and roots $ all contain nutrients that, when decomposed, enrich the soil and improve the growth of other plants. The roots of trees also help to retain these nutrients in the soil by reducing erosion from wind and rain. )co/ogic is working with communities to promote agroforestry, a method of agriculture that plants native trees along

with crops. (groforestry greatly improves yields by providing the benefits of trees to the cultivation of crops $ reduced erosion, increased nutrients, and regulation of the local climate. (ll of these environmental services $ erosion control, maintenance of the water cycle, temperature regulation, habitat for biodiversity, water purification, climate regulation, mitigation of e!treme weather events, enhanced pollination, and enrichment of the soil $ demonstrate the economic value to people of protecting forests and reducing or avoiding deforestation. +ighting the root causes of deforestation The forests of the western mountains in Guatemala are rapidly being destroyed to provide firewood for the growing population. Trees provide a natural and important source of raw materials for people. ,or the rural poor, this is primarily in the form of firewood used for cooking and heating, lumber for the construction of homes and buildings, and wood for furniture. &n many ways, the usability of forests as raw materials is its best and worst offering, as people continue to deforest landscapes. This deforestation, in turn, leads to the loss of all the other environmental services forests provide, from the regulation of the water cycle to storing atmospheric carbon. &n order to combat tropical deforestation, )co/ogic is working with poor rural communities to restore their forests through reforestation. The primary objective of these projects is often to protect and improve fresh water sources for the communities, but some projects are designed to provide more firewood to meet a growing demand, while still others are agroforestry projects that produce greater crop yields and improve food security. The design and objective of each project is specific to the needs and interests of the communities and shaped by local circumstances, but all reforestation projects help the people to meet their needs while reducing their impact on the surrounding landscape. .eyond planting trees Reforestation not only provides significant environmental and economic benefits, but it offers many social benefits as well. The men of Guaisna in Guatemala gather for a meeting in their nursery, where they grow native species to plant on their land. *hile projects are intended to conserve natural resources, projects can also serve as vehicles to strengthen and unify a community. ,or instance, prior to )co/ogic;s arrival, the citi5ens of GuaisnE in the western mountains of Guatemala were growing seedlings in their own homes to reforest their own plots of land. )co/ogic has helped the community to establish a community nursery, where the people can share in their work to grow seedlings, share in the responsibilities of caring for the nursery, and share in the time and e!perience of reforesting their lands. The joint effort is not only more efficient in facilitating and coordinating the reforestation activities, but gives the people a greater sense of unity as they work together towards a common goal.

&n addition, reforestation projects strengthen communities. ,or the indigenous people of TotonicapEn in Guatemala, restoring their forests to protect their water sources is part of the centuries$old forest management practices that are ingrained in the local culture. *ith )co/ogic;s help, the people there are now using modern reforestation techni"ues to reinforce and build upon an ancient tradition of safeguarding the natural environment. 'utside of 'lanchito, Bonduras, communities are working together to protect their water sources through a coalition called the (ssociation of (dministrative *ater #oards of the .outhern .ector of Pico #onito =/a (sociaciFn de Guntas (dministradores de (gua del .ector .ur de Pico #onito, or (G((.P&#>. Their common interest in protecting their water has led to a coordinated effort to restore their forests, and with )co/ogic;s assistance, reforestation projects are now underway. These projects have not only solidified the alliance of communities, but they have given these communities a stronger voice in the region, as downstream users of these same water sources are turning to the alliance to help them secure fresh water supplies. Municipal governments downstream are now recogni5ing the importance of these communities and their efforts to protect fresh water sources. &n .anta Maria %olores, men, women and children of all ages work together in the nursery. Reforestation activities can empower certain groups too, particularly women. &n ,elipe h;oc;s community of .anta Maria %olores de &!cEn, a nursery was established earlier this year. The nursery is where the people will grow seedlings of different native species to plant $ to restore their forests, protect their water sources, and enhance their agricultural lands. #ut what makes this nursery so uni"ue is not the plants, but rather the people who tend to the plantsH the men, women, and children of all ages from the community. )very eight days the entire community comes together to work in the nursery, and while many other nurseries are only tended to by the men, here in .anta Maria %olores there are over 4I7 women who actively participate in preparing and caring for the seeds and seedlings. #y engaging in reforestation activities alongside their male counterparts, the women of this village are increasing their role in society and strengthening their voice in the community. .anta Maria %olores is also providing an e!cellent e!ample of how reforestation activities can build environmental stewardship. &n the nursery, each family is planting the seeds of the plants that will go on their own property, and they tend to those same seedlings as they grow. This fosters a stronger connection between the people and trees, as they invest their time and energy into caring for the small plants. Moreover, oftentimes adults bring their children, and the children see their parents and grandparents caring for the seedlings. *hen the children ask the adults why they are planting seeds or watering seedlings, the parents impart the importance of the trees to the ne!t generation. ( farmer inspects the guama he has planted on his land in order to improve the growth of his corn. Reforestation activities also serve as educational vehicles, informing the people of the importance of trees while serving as proof of the tangible benefits they provide. ,or e!ample, in the village of #lue reek, a small community that sits in the .arstJn mountain range near the border with #eli5e, a man is growing trees along with his corn on a steep hillside. The trees are of a species called guama $ a fast$growing, nitrogen$fi!ing species that will eventually shade the soil, reduce erosion, and shed its leaves onto the ground, providing a natural fertili5er for the corn. The guama saplings are still small, but the farmer hopes that

when they grow to their full height in another year or two, they will help him to produce more corn on the same plot of land. Bis land is being used as a demonstration for the rest of the community, to show them how planting trees can help the families to grow more food using less land. This farmer is volunteering his time and land to be the first in his community, and he takes a risk in doing so, but he is confident that the risk he takes will benefit himself and many others in the end. .ringing real benefits to the rural poor )co/ogic is proud to be working with local organi5ations and municipal governments to assist the rural poor in restoring their environment as a means to meeting their needs. Great pride is also taken in helping the people empower themselves, promoting environmental awareness amongst the citi5ens, strengthening the relationships within and between communities, and giving a new and more important voice to the people in the region. ,elipe h;oc reali5es that his community has a long way to go before everyone understands the benefits of the forest, and more importantly, before the community has the capacity to both protect and restore the forests and meet their needs. Det he believes that the village;s nursery, by engaging the people and showing them how their own actions can have a big impact, will e!pand the environmental stewardship of .anta Maria %olores. Then, working together, reforesting their land will both restore the environment and help them overcome the greater obstacles they face.

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