August 29 is Tree Day, a date that invites us to reflect on the importance of trees in our ecosystem and to promote their conservation. .
In this framework, the National University of Chilecitothrough the Secretary of Science and Technology and the Institute for Mountain Environment and Arid Regions (IAMRA) that carry out various actions to preserve plants, especially native ones.
Through the Carob Weekaims to revalue the carob tree, a native species that plays a crucial role in the biodiversity and culture of the region. Another of the activities it carries out is the Plant Fascination Day which aims to raise awareness about plant breeding and protection, food production, climate change, plant biodiversity, sustainability, renewable products, and plant education and artistic experiences. This activity is carried out simultaneously throughout the world.
Maria Dolores Juria research professor at our university and head of the Environmental Management and Gender area at UndeC, researches biodiversity. Interviewed, she highlights the role that trees play in our ecosystem: ““Trees oxygenate the air, protect the soil and reduce the effects of global warming, among other of their numerous and vital functions.”
He also points out that: “The tree is not only important because it is a living being that is part of an ecosystem, but it is also the refuge of other living beings.”. On the native trees of the region, he maintains that: “carob trees, tuscas, tar trees, which are smaller trees, but they are also trees and we must protect them.” I assure you that: “they have taproots, that is, they go looking for water at the bottom, in the underground aquifers, they are trees that do not lift your sidewalks, that do not get into your pipes.”
Regarding the benefits of our native plants, Juri assures that: “They don’t need to be watered, they don’t need to be cured of diseases because the tree takes care of itself, it attracts much more biodiversity and attracts many more of our birds.”
To conclude, he recommends: “Let’s take care of the trees, but especially the native ones, because the benefit we give to the environment is enormous.”
About the date
Author | Dr. Maria Dolores Juri
Teacher Researcher
National University of Chilecito
August 29 is National Tree Day, a date established in 1901 that seeks to raise awareness in society about the importance of caring for trees and the fight against indiscriminate felling.
The importance of trees today is undeniable; we could write entire chapters on the function of trees in forests, jungles, savannas and even in atrophic environments, that is, those created by man such as urbanizations and agricultural systems.
Dr. Maria Dolores Juri
But despite recognizing the value of trees, the truth is that we still have to be willing to have trees on sidewalks, in backyards and in gardens in our immediate surroundings, the city. Trees are essential until they touch our land, at which point they become a nuisance that dirty sidewalks, cover gutters or pipes. Beyond the fact that these problems are solved by correctly selecting the species for the right place, it is also true that when it comes to weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the advantages are much more numerous and stronger:
They provide shade, cushion the rain, slowing the fall of water so that it slides smoothly to the ground, reduce the speed of the wind and filter it as it passes through the canopies, retaining spores and pollen, as well as dust, ashes, smoke and other impurities.
They reduce noise, absorb carbon dioxide, increase the value of residential property and save electricity by cooling the warm air as it passes through their canopy, shading walls, patios, roofs and windows and, if the climate is cold, the air-filled fronds generate a thermal layer around buildings, increasing the temperature by a few degrees and thus minimizing the impacts of urbanization.
Although it is difficult to quantify, it has benefits for human health, some obvious, such as the reduction of respiratory diseases, due to improvements in air quality, and others less obvious, such as stress reduction, improvement in mental and physical health, and increased worker productivity, by contributing to an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing environment.
Now, is every tree species the same? No, and are there trees that offer more advantages than others? Is there a best species to put in my house or field? The answer to these last two questions is YES. The best species of tree that I can put in my house, field or let grow in natural environments is the one from each region, the native species, which we also call autochthonous.
In addition to the benefits listed above, the use of these species requires the least investment because it is easy to find seeds and seedlings (young plants) in the area. Due to their adaptive characteristics, they do not require special care, except for a minimum of protection in their juvenile stages. They are naturally adapted to the water scarcity of desert environments, not needing an extra supply of water from the population or the organization in charge.
Fertilizer and care requirements are minimal compared to any other introduced plant species, ensuring good survival and physical condition, contrary to what is observed in urban trees, where exotic species predominate, not only in our province, but in most cities in our country.
Another favorable characteristic of native species is their deep root system (two to five times the surface height of the plant), which serves to supply water to the tree directly from the aquifer, in addition to anchoring it firmly to the ground and does not tend to get into pipes.
We have emblematic species of our native peoples and the first Creoles, such as carob trees, and from a landscape point of view their appearance is in keeping with the natural environment, which would make the city more attractive, contributing to tourism development.
Our native trees attract native biodiversity, which is good for beekeeping, tourism and raising awareness of their existence. If we want society to get involved in caring for our natural environments, we must first make them aware of them and attracting native biodiversity to the city would contribute to this. Conserving our trees in the city will help us conserve them in their natural environment.
It can be preserved in urban and agricultural environments, we can “put” our forest in the countryside and in the city, starting with our trees, and in this way take advantage of its benefits, recover our identity and achieve true development that does not compromise that of future generations.