What is the importance of forests and jungles

The word forest comes from the Germanic Busch either Busk and is defined as a place inhabited by trees and shrubs. Therefore, we can define as forest any area with a significant density of trees.

These dense masses of trees can be classified in different ways. Depending on their history or origin, the Primary or native forestswhich are the ones that have appeared naturally; the secondary forests which are those who have regenerated after a first fell and, therefore, the action of man is seen and, finally, there are the Artificial forestsplanted by the human being.

Depending on the type of vegetation we can differentiate the Coniferous forests (for example, pines, fir trees, secuoyas, etc.), those of leafy (jungles or jungles) and the mixed forests. On the other hand, they can be differentiated by the seasonality of the vegetation, that is, whether or not the trees lose their leaves. In that case there would be the Perennifolian forests Where the trees do not lose the leaves with the change of the stations, the deciduous where normally the fall of the leaves occurs in the unfavorable time and the mixed.

Finally, forests can also be classified according to their location and, above all, depending on latitude. In this way, forests are considered tropical or subtropical Around Ecuador and the tropics (cancer and capricorn), the Tempered forests that are between tropics and polar circles and, finally, Boreal or Taigas forests located near the Arctic Circle.

As we have mentioned above The jungles are leafy forests that are also normally found in tropical or subtropical climates. These are dense tree masses that house a great diversity of plant species, especially of broad blade, strong and wax covered, have in their closed canopy form (the light cannot reach the soil), undergrowth and several plant strata.

In turn, this lack of light and high rainfall favor the development of a humid environment where, in addition, numerous species of fungi and lichens can grow. It is estimated that in the jungles you can find approximately 2/3 of the plant biodiversity of the planet.

Now that we have clarified what each one is, we will explain the great importance of forests and jungles:

Carbon dioxide absorption

Selvas and forests have been traditionally considered the lungs of the planet. But these lungs are different from ours since, instead of breathing oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide (CO2), they do the opposite. Therefore, forests contribute to reducing greenhouse gases pollution, such as CO2, in the atmosphere.

Punctually, it has also been pointed out that for example the Amazon jungle is capable of producing 20% ​​of the total oxygen on the planet and that this jungle only represents 30% of the entire tropical jungle that exists. While it is true that plants also produce CO2, the amount of oxygen they release is much greater, although the largest oxygen producer that exists is oceanic phytoplankton. In addition, the production of oxygen in the forests is especially high in those young forests since the plants that are growing need more CO2 to develop.

Soil conservation

Forests and jungles help avoid soil erosion. This is especially important since the soil is defined as the outermost or superficial part of the earth’s cortex and which is biologically active which comes from the physical and chemical changes and alterations of the rocks and the waste that comes from the living beings that inhabit or on it. This means that the soil is a source of nutrients, allows the roots of the trees to penetrate the earth’s crust to sustain itself and also implies the habitat of other communities of living beings. The trees of forests and jungles make it decrease the force of water when it rains, it also prevents strong torrents and reduces the effect of floods and floods of rivers thus avoiding the loss of the soil.

Climate regulation

Forests and jungles contribute to regulating the weather and temperature. Although plants absorb water that falls, they also release a significant amount that is known as evapotranspiration.

To get a better idea of ​​what evapotranspiration is we could compare it with the sweating of animals. High temperatures make the plant release the water inside. This process is especially important in jungles or tropical forests where temperatures and rainfall are high. In these cases due to the evapotranspiration of the plants, large clouds can be formed that move through the wind and precipitate again in other places or again in the jungle. These large clouds can cover all the airspace of the jungles, which makes the radiation of the sun reflect and therefore the temperature of the planet decreases.

Shelter and food of other living beings

Forests and jungles are formed by numerous plant species and the climatic conditions that exist in them allow other organisms such as fungi, lichens and animals to be established. In these forests there are areas of clear and shadows, more humid and more dry areas, etc. that become the habitat of many species. In addition, there are species that have become accustomed to living in the trees, on the ground, on the same trees that form forests and jungles (epiphytic plants such as bromeliums) and, in many cases, organisms have established mutual relationships with others. On the other hand, forests and jungles are at the origin of streams, rivers and other aquatic ecosystems that suppose new habitats for other life forms.

These ecosystems also have complex relationships or trophic networks with different levels, since food sources are numerous and varied. For example, a plant is food for a butterfly, which is food in turn for a toad, this for a snake and finally this is food for an owl. In addition, when these animals die, there are decomposing organisms (fungi, bacteria, invertebrates) that transform organic remains into nutrients and minerals that can be used again by producing organisms.

Finally, it is important to clarify that The survival of forests and jungles is threatened by the human activity. Historically, forests were used to obtain food, medicinal plants and wood for human constructions (homes, tools, ships, rail, etc.). Especially the latter caused the disappearance of many of the forests that covered almost the entire planet thousands of years ago. Currently, forests only cover around 25-35% of the earth’s surface.

After the industrial revolutions Of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries of the population increase, the logging of the forests intensified to obtain wood, expand the cultivation and obtaining surfaces among others. It also happened that for a long time it was thought that forests were the shelter of malefactors, criminals and furtive, and unfortunately, many other forest hectares were talked to prevent crime.

Currently, the incessant population growththe search for energy and mineral resources, forest fires and pollution are making the forests that still remain on the planet disappear and, therefore, endangering the existence of numerous species and ours, since if the forests disappear the benefits we get from them will also do so.

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