How does the tree guard the soil?
The tree roots hold the soil together and the tree canopy protects the soil from hard falling rain. Logging results in the loss of leaf litter, or dead leaves, bark, and branches on the forest floor. Leaf litter plays an important role in protecting forest soils from erosion (Figure here). Trees are the greatest gift of nature and play a vital role in balancing the environment. They supply oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and help regulate rainfall. People and animals depend on trees for shelter, food, and safety. Trees prevent soil erosion, fight climate change, and support biodiversity.Trees are crucial for the environment as they produce oxygen, improve air quality, conserve water, and support wildlife. They also prevent soil erosion and provide habitats for many species, contributing to biodiversity. Protecting and planting trees is essential for a sustainable future.They produce oxygen, are good for our brains and give us shade, shelter, nutritious foods and life-saving medicines. Trees are our allies in the fight against climate change and provide homes for iconic wildlife like koalas and cockatoos.Trees and shrubs improve soil and water conservation, store carbon, moderate local climate by providing shade, regulate temperature extremes, increase wildlife habitat and improve the land’s capacity to adapt to climate change. These are all benefits forests and shrubs offer the environment and in turn, us.
How do trees help prevent soil erosion?
A tree’s large root system acts as a bind toward any loose soil surrounding the tree. The roots hold the soil in place while stabilizing the tree and improving the drainage of the soil, so that water drains into the ground rather than flowing atop the surface. Trees prevent soil erosion in several ways: They intercept rainfall which stops ‘splash erosion’ They reduce the amount of water in soil through transpiration. Their roots bind soil to sloping ground.In the last few decades, soil degradation has been sped up by intensive farming practices such as deforestation, overgrazing, intensive cultivation, forest fires and construction work. These actions disturb soil and leave it vulnerable to wind and water erosion, which damages the complex systems underneath.Trees generate oxygen for us to breathe and absorb harmful carbon dioxide. They prevent soil erosion and maintain soil fertility by holding earth together. Forests provide a habitat to countless species, supporting biodiversity. Trees moderate the climate, regulate rainfall, and keep temperatures balanced.Soil erosion is the detachment and movement of soil material. The process may be natural or accelerated by human activity. Depending on the local landscape and weather conditions, erosion may be very slow or very rapid. Natural erosion has sculptured landforms on the uplands and built landforms on the lowlands.
How to keep the soil healthy?
Add organic matter. Incorporate compost to compacted soil to increase air, water and nutrients for plants. Protect topsoil with mulch or cover crops. Don’t use chemicals unless there’s no alternative. Organic matter is important for better soil fertility and structure, and overall soil health. To increase organic matter levels you can: add organic materials like solid or liquid manures, plants or crop residues.