Tree day Why are trees important?

The importance of trees. Canaries palm treeTrees provide….. Oxygen that we need to live. Protection for the soil. Homes for many animals and insects. Shade in hot countries. Wood for building. Food – fruits and nuts. Medicines. Slow down climate change. Absorb pollution. They are pretty! Imagine the world without trees!

Insects and birds help trees disperse and reproduce PollinatorsandSeed dispersers

How do trees grow? New plants are grown from seeds of their parents. Some seeds stick to the fur and feathers of animals and birds as they go past. Seeds can be moved to new homes by the birds, animals, insects, water or wind. Some seeds are really big, for example the coconut. Other seeds are so small you cannot see them, for example orchids.

Cycle of pollination and dispersal Some plants spread there seeds using the wind, for example Diente de leon. Some plants need water to disperse their seeds, for example the coconut. Some plants spread their seeds using animals, for example the Oak (el Roble).

The main parts of a tree…. Roots Trunk Branches Leaves Presa de las ninas. What functions do they have?

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is……. Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth at all levels. Species diversity – how many different plants there are in a chosen habitat. Genetic diversity – the variety of genes found in a given species. Ecological diversity – how many different components there are in a chosen habitat.

What is an endemic species? A unique species that is only found in one given region or location and found nowhere else in the world. Laurel from the Canary Islands.

Why are the Canary Islands biologically important? Lots of endemic species. Diversified habitats in a very small area – mountains, valleys, sea level. Climate – wet and dry areas. Isolated evolution

Endemic trees of Gran Canary. Pinus CanariensisPhoenix canariensis

The History of Gran Canaria In the past Gran Canaria was mostly populated by huge forests of Laurel and Pine trees. After the conquest lots of trees were cut down for boats and housing. As a result there was lots of soil erosion and loss of valuable forest habitats. Now there is not much forest left and you can only find these forests in La Cumbre. The Pinzon Azul is one bird now threatened with extinction because of the loss of pine trees.

El Pinzon Azul is now very rare!

Recycling paper – Why and how? To save trees and energy. Buy recycled paper – its cheaper and just as good quality. Its not just recycling. Think about the paper you use, including toilet paper, writing paper, magazines. Use double sided photocopies.

Conservation – why is it important? Only buy wood and furniture that has a certificate proving it was forested legally. Wood can be forested in a sustainable way or an non sustainable way. What happens if all the trees are cut down at the same time? It is much harder for trees to regenerate. Conserve forest habitats to prevent extinctions.

Purchasing power! You can help! Think about what you buy. Buy certificated wood. Try not to buy products that have excessive packaging. Re-use plastic bags. Buy local products to save air miles.

My experience! Conservation in the UK.

Scottish Forests

What determines a tropical rainforest?

The forest layers Emergent canopy, shrub layer, ground layer, soil.

Vegetation characteristics Thin smooth bark (no frost protection necessary) Buttress and stilted roots Leaf shape – drop tips Lianas Epiphytes (orchids and bromeliads)

Aerial plants Some plants (epiphytes) live in the trees where there is more light. Their aerial roots never touch the ground. Material on their roots act like a sponge, absorbing any available moisture. Mist and fog provide enough water for these plants to survive.

Plant-animal interactions The star orchid in Madagascar can only be pollinated by a hawk moth with a proboscis over a foot long! Many bizarre looking features have evolved in both animals and plants over millions of years because of these interactions.

The importance of Animals Animals disperse the seeds of plants helping plants spread into new, more favourable habitats. Many fruits have evolved due to plant- animal interactions. At the top of the food chain, differing animals help keep the ecosystem in equilibrium. Animals provide meat for indigenous peoples to eat.

Human uses of plants in the rain forest Foods, such as spices Vanilla, Coffee, chocolate, bananas, mangoes, avocado and sugarcane all originally came from tropical rainforests Medicine Life! Tropical rainforests produce 40% of Earth's oxygen

World destruction rate

TREES ARE IMPORTANT! TREES ARE IMPORTANT! ‘Get Growing!’

Any Questions?