NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
|
Ecology, The Environment and Nut Tree Growing |
|
The environmental and ecological benefits of growing nut trees are extensive. Here are just a few:Pollution ReductionTrees breathe carbon instead of oxygen like animals, and they store carbon inside themselves for the life of the tree. The bigger a tree gets, the more carbon it stores in its wood. Carbon storage in trees plays a direct role in offsetting the effect of air pollution from industrial processes. The more trees there are, the more air pollution is reduced. Some countries regulatory agencies and some US companies are experimenting with the planting of large tracts of trees in order to make up for the air pollution that is emitted during industrial manufacturing processes.Clean WaterTrees provide clean water by filtering water that reaches their roots. For example, trees planted near a stream or river will extract excess nitrogen from the water and use it to grow. Through their leaves, trees release the water that they have taken up through their roots. Excess nitrogen is one of the main problems with pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Only 2% of the earth's water is fresh, and of that 2%, approximately 70% has been polluted by humans in the past 200 years.Wildlife HabitatTrees are well-known for the habitat they provide to wildlife. In some areas trees provide crucial habitat for rare species of birds and other animals. Having wildlife around also provides opportunities for hunting and fishing, which in some locales account for very large portions of the economy.EcotourismAreas that are covered in trees tend to also be beautiful and provide many opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife watching, biking, hunting, and fishing. As suburban and urban areas sprawl into farmland and once wooded areas, outdoor opportunities decrease, and yet they are needed even more by the local population. Ecotourism is the use of natural areas, like forests, for ecologically sound tourism. That is, tourism that is light on the land. Ecotourism has developed into its own industry, and in some states (like Pennsylvania) and countries (like Costa Rica) it accounts for substantial parts of the overall economy. Planting nut trees can attract rare or unusual wildlife.BeautyNut trees and trees in general are beautiful, and large areas covered by them are considered one of the most aesthetically pleasing sights to humans. Planting trees on your own property means that you are bringing beauty into the world.Soil Retention And ProtectionThrough their extensive root systems and by the wind buffering effects of their canopies, trees protect soil, an important resource that is lost when open space is developed or too many trees are harvested in a single area. Good soil is needed for successful farming, and too much soil in a stream can choke out important aquatic life forms like fish.Open Space PreservationPresent suburban and urban growth patterns threaten much of the east and west coast open space that has been traditionally used for orchards, farming, and outdoor recreation. By planting trees, you are making a statement about your priorities. The sustainable use of the land to produce various benefits for people is a much better use in the long run than the conversion of good soil to housing lots and strip malls. |
|Home Page||About NNGA||Membership Benefits||Membership Form|
Click any item above to transfer to its page.