Trees are renewable resources that form mutual benefits with animals. Although we don’t live in the forest, we require tress to survive.
Basically, all animals depend on plants for oxygen because, as we breathe in, our body utilizes oxygen produced by the plants.
On the other hand, as we breathe out, our body gives out carbon dioxide, which is essential to the plants.
Additionally, trees assist to make the earth cool when they give off the moisture. When there is a lot of moisture in the air, it means that there will be more rainfall; hence all living things will benefit. Trees help to cool the air through water evaporation and by shading. They are considered massive pumps to water cycling right from the soil and back to the atmosphere.
With several benefits offered by trees, they are undoubtedly very vital for all living things, therefore considered a renewable resource.
Defining a Renewable Resource
Typically, it is a kind of resource that can be utilized on several occasions and afterward replaced naturally. Taking oil as an example, once used, it can’t be readily replaced. It requires hundreds and thousands of years to produce oil.
Trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource. They can be utilized on several occasions, and naturally replaced. That can be done through saving seeds, farming, breeding, using part of the plants without destroying the mother plants, etc. That insinuates that trees can be utilized as a resource of energy, food, and power. Therefore, it is renewable.
What Affects the Tree’s Renewability Rates?
As we’ve said, trees are a renewable resource since their growth rate is fast. Several aspects influence the photosynthesis rate, and therefore, it determines how fast the trees will regenerate.
Trees in the hot climates basically experience a higher rate of photosynthesis compared to those in the cold temperatures. Trees regenerate, notably faster when the temperature difference doesn’t exceed 10 degrees during the day and nighttime.
That said, the more the light amount the plant receives, the faster it will grow. That means trees will grow faster, especially during summertime.
Nutrition also plays a significant role in plant growth. Plants found in the soil with plenty of minerals like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and calcium plus other micro-nutrients will do well compared to those growing in low-nutrient soil.
With that in mind, increasing any of these aspects (light, temperature, or nutrition) can alter the rate of renewal.
Examples of Trees as a Renewable Resource
Since trees are all renewable resources, they can’t be harvested at the same time. For instance, plants collected in the Pacific Northwest are normally renewed with small plants that are harvested later. Similarly, fiber harvested from hemp or cotton is annual plants. That means they are crops that replaced the previous year’s crops.
The Limits for Both Plants and Animals
Despite the trees being a renewable resource, they probably don’t regenerate as fast as they are harvested. In such cases, renewability comes with limits. So conservation measures have to be tabled either to replace them more quickly or to protect the trees from overharvesting.
Conservation of Renewable Resource
Many organizations and companies all over the world understand the need for trees as a renewable resource. Therefore, they advise people to plant trees in order to replace the ones lost to diseases, timber harvest, and fire.
Besides, there is a USDA plant debate as well. This debate has created comprehensive information on virtually all the plants in the USA. That is beneficial, particularly for apprehending the knowledge of replacing any type of tree, hence maintaining the resource.
Bottom Line
Trees are an integral part of life. Without them, then there would be no life. It is our responsibility always to manage and protect our environment, especially the trees. Basically, the notion of conserving and sustaining trees helps to keep everything in balance. When we destroy the trees for timber or to make paper, new ones are planted or naturally re-grow. Furthermore, forest trees are an essential part of wildlife, which means they provide animals with food and at home. Overall, trees and forests help to ensure our soil, air, and water are clean and offer a place for hiking and camping.
References: Reparatii Termopane