Spring Creek Forest (http://www.springcreekforest.org) is a minute floodplain forest and remnant prairie in a the vast concrete jungle known as the Dallas Metroplex......so how does a small tract of forest enter into the overall equation of climate change? Well, in a small way it helps maintain local climate with its trees, shrubs, and grasses.
One acre of trees provide enough oxygen for 18 people daily, absorbs enough carbon dioxide over a year to equal that produced from driving a car 26,000 miles, removes and store 2.6 tons of carbon from the atmosphere, and removes several tons of ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particles 10 microns or smaller that pollute our skies. Trees benefit local climate by reducing urban temperatures (much needed in a heat island like Dallas, Texas) 10-20 degrees during summer. Source: U.S.Forest Service, TCU, American Forests & Texas Forest Service
Natural areas such as forests and grasslands also help conserve water in a number of ways so preserve
them! They reduce landslides, erosion, and sediment; improve water purity by filtering pollutants;
and, in some cases, capture and store water. This is a cost-effective way to provide clean
drinking water in many places around the world.
With vast acres of forest clearing and conversion to agriculture, urban development, landfills, and
transportation corridors, the planet is losing all the benefits of trees (forests), grasslands, and open
spaces, so do what you can to preserve what's left and try to restore what you can through nonprofit
organizations and local goverment.
