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hope for the trees

Each year, 10 billion trees are cut down, also cutting down the chances of future generations’ survival. Find out how you can do your share in saving the planet.

“When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.” – Native American saying

Trees are said to be the most essential organisms on the planet. According to Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies ecologist Thomas Crowther, trees cater to an array of ecosystem services for humans. They create an abundant supply of water and nutrients, stabilize soil, absorb carbon dioxide, generate oxygen and provide habitats for every part of ecosystem.

Fast Facts
3.04 trillion. The estimated number of trees worldwide. Accumulated through the use of satellite imagery, forest inventories, and supercomputer technologies, the international team of researchers was able to map the tree population at the square-kilometer level.

A ratio of 422 trees per person. Roughly 10 billion trees are cut down per year. Since the start of human civilization, the study led by Yale University shows that there has been a 46% decrease in the total global percentage of trees.

750 billion trees. The estimate number of trees found in the boreal forests containing coniferous trees and patches of permafrost of North America, Scandinavia and Russia, found to have the highest tree densities. These forests hold 24% of the global total of trees, while 43% of the total or 1.3 trillion trees were found in the tropical and subtropical forests.

Man VS Tree
Since the start of human civilization, negative human activities have become detrimental to natural ecosystems. These include the anthropogenic effects such as land use (ie. conversion of land for agricultural use, industrial and urban development.) As human population increases, the number of trees decline.
Crowther said that the decrease in the total number of trees made significant impacts on climate and human health.

Without trees, there will be higher chance of soil erosion. Its roots anchor the soil. These could lead to more disastrous events like flooding and landslide. Soil erosion could also alter health through silt entering water sources like streams and lakes, which decrease the quality of water.

Tree counts matters especially with the issue of climate change. According to Greenpeace, 300 billion tons of carbon or 40 times the annual greenhouse emission is stored in trees. It filters particulate matter to decrease air pollution. It also creates shades that mitigate the impact of urban heat island effect.

Step up for a Tree

Here are smart ways to save trees.

Paperless Billing. Telecommunications companies today offers paperless billing, you may opt to use this instead of getting your hard copy bill every month.

Choose recycled paper products.

In the modern age of computers and gadgets, you may keep data in soft copies.

In restaurant, use cloth napkin instead of paper napkins.

Be a volunteer. Join organization, which promotes green environment through planting trees.

 

Web Sources:

http://actrees.org/resources/local-resources/save-a-tree/

http://caboopaper.com/how-to-conserve-trees-10-tips/

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0904/Seeing-the-forest-for-the-trees-Why-latest-tree-census-matters

http://www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html

Planet has 10 times as many trees as previous estimate, research finds

http://news.yale.edu/2015/09/02/seeing-forest-and-trees-all-3-trillion-them

How to Save Trees

Not all trees are created equal. Find out what types of trees we should plant in order to make Manila safe during the typhoon season.

More than a century old, this acacia tree, also known as “centree” in Bicol University, was uprooted during the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda. Photo credit: Dennis Mirabueno
More than a century old, this acacia tree, also known as “centree” in Bicol University, was uprooted during the onslaught of Typhoon Glenda.
Photo credit: Dennis Mirabueno
Photo credit: Dennis Mirabueno
Photo credit: Dennis Mirabueno

In a typhoon-prone country as ours, it is common to see roads, backyards and streets dotted with fallen trees after a severe storm. The sight is heart-wrenching: massive, sometimes centuries-old giants knocked down, their complex system of roots wrenched free from the soil. It becomes even more distressing when these trees cause damage to property, or even worse, fatalities.

Lately, there has been an increased public awareness on the importance of planting native trees. The logic is that since these trees are indigenous, they are made to withstand local weather, even extreme conditions such as droughts and typhoons. Check out some of the locally bred trees recommended by the Haribon Foundation for urban greening:

With a potential height of over 130 feet, this sturdy tree provides ample shade in open areas. It also boasts of a deeply penetrating and spreading root system, making it harder for typhoons to uproot. The good news is that it can be cultivated from the cuttings of its mature branches.

Don’t be deceived by the Niyog-Niyogan’s size. This shrub or small tree packs a punch! Growing up to a height of 22 feet, it’s not just a pretty ornamental plant, it also has deep, penetrating roots that make it resilient against strong winds. Here’s a bit of trivia: It’s even more typhoon-resilient than the much bigger Balete tree!

It’s fast-growing, requires only partial sunlight, and drought-resistant. What more can you ask for? The sturdiness of the Molave tree has been part of local knowledge for centuries. In fact, it was even mentioned in President Manuel L. Quezon’s speech: “I want our people to grow and be like the molave, strong and resilient, rising on the hillside, unafraid of the raging flood, the lightning or the storm, confident of its own strength.”

Forget the fire trees. Their red-orange leaves may look nice, but these exotic trees have softer frames. Why not plant more Talisay trees, whose leaves turn from yellow to red before they are shed off? Furthermore, they’re indigenous and sturdy.

Commonly cultivated in Bicol, this versatile tree can be used for a variety of products, from fragrance to baked delicacies. With a maximum height capacity of over 90 feet, this tree has been proven to survive the elements in typhoon-prone Bicol.

Check out the other trees that have made the typhoon-resilient shortlist. Which of these are familiar to you?

Source: Haribon Foundation

Related link: Top 5 Typhoon-Resilient Trees

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