HomeThe roots of a tree draw groundwater and then it’s transported through a network of vessels to the leaves. This process called photosynthesis is powered by light which provides the energy needed to produce glucose.
This oxygen is released into the air then animals and human beings breathe it in. When we breathe in oxygen we breathe out carbon dioxide. It’s referred to as a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship. When trees receive this carbon dioxide, they convert it into glucose. Glucose is combined with the carbon atoms that the trees use for growth.
Where the carbon comes in
Because of this carbon and glucose combination, the trees form their stems, expand their root network and increase in stature to provide shade and cool the atmosphere. The extra carbon is stored in the ground when leaves fall on the ground. This sets the pace for generations of trees to grow for centuries to come.
Cooling effect
When trees suck the CO2 from the air, it produces a cooling effect. The temperatures are favourable for planting and growth of food. Trees cool the atmosphere in two ways. The first one is pretty obvious. Providing shade. When trees give shade they block the hot rays of the sun and it in turn cools the air.
The other way is through releasing water into the atmosphere which evaporates and thereby causes a cooling effect. Scientists refer to it as transpirational cooling. It quells dryness and loss of groundwater into the atmosphere which plants need to produce food.
The roots of the trees suck water from the ground, therefore this prevents flooding and landslides. Imagine the kind of losses that people incur when landslides and excessive flooding occur. Not to mention the lives that could be lost.
Finally, trees trap clouds in the air. And these clouds swell up and become rain. This is rain we need for various uses such as drinking, irrigation, hydroelectricity and so much more.
See why we need to protect and add to the trees we have? NGOs and civil societies have a huge role to play. Read this in the next article.
