| MATTER MODIFY - ADJUST - TRANSFORM - TWEAK - ENERGY SAVING - REMEMBER |
| How can you stop to smell the roses, When you can't see the forest for the trees? Carla Bak |
| Many times I have stepped out my front door and made a bee line for the car, never once stopping to take a look at the magnificence of nature! We all live hectic lives but its good to reflect on the surrounding beauty of Florida and just what makes it so appealing. One of the most appealing factors is Florida's unique variety of plant life. So what's so important about plants and why should humans take the time to acknowledge there value? The transformations of energy in an ecosystem begin first with the sun. Plants take in energy from the sun which is captured through the process of photosynthesis. All energy available to organisms originates in plants, because it is the first step in the production of energy for living things. Herbivores obtain their energy by consuming plants or plant products, carnivores eat herbivores, and detrivores consume the droppings and carcasses of us all. Without plants humans wouldn't exist! Plants can certainly live without humans but they are still dependant on our respect. Plants are aesthetic and add value to the land in which we live (even monetarily). How many of us would want to live without plants around us, including the forests, woodlands, and grasslands surrounding our towns and cities? Land is at a premium price along the beautiful rivers lined with native plants! Many medicinal drugs come from various components of wild native plants. In spite of all the medical advances, very little of the world's plant species have ever been tested for their medical potential. That means there are many important drugs yet to be discovered. Plants are also very important for the goods they provide. Food is certainly high on the list, as well as fibers that provide clothing. Many beautiful natural dyes come from plants and wood from various trees are used to build our homes. Native plants are an important part of air and water quality control; they act as air and water filters and can stop the movement of dust and pollutants. Native plants aid in maintaining healthy watersheds, streams, and lakes by holding soil in place, controlling stream flows, and filtering sediments from water. In turn, this equals a healthy you! Regional climates are impacted by the amount and type of plant cover. Forest and marshes, for example, can cool local climates. Natural disasters, such as drought, have been blamed on the destruction of forests and other critically important plant communities. Have you ever noticed how much hotter it is when you’re walking paved city streets compared to walking a wooded path? So next time you’re down by the river taking notice of its beauty or enjoying the cool breeze under a shade tree, remember all the wonderful things that plants provide for you, and ponder over the steps you personally can take to keep it that way. |