| Forests protect our waters and manage our climate. When it rains in the forests, the leaves allow the water to slowly drip to the ground. When a forest has been clear-cut, the rain pours down hard on the unprotected soil. The dirt then washes into streams, muddying the waters. This is unhealthy for the fish, and can cause flooding. Also, without trees, the moisture in the air evaporates quickly, changing the climate of nearby forests. This process prevents trees from receiving the water they need. | In the developing world, two billion people (about 1/3 of the earth's population) still rely entirely upon firewood for fuel. In developed countries, drugs for cancer and AIDS are extracted from trees. |
A fast-moving forest stream. Photo by Maya Walters. |
forest importance -- page 3 of 5
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sub-topics
[climate] [soil] [food & medicine] [water] [wood & forest products] [tourism] [biodiversity]
related topics
[deforestation & overcutting] [erosion] [fish]
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