Someone posed this question on Quora:
I answered the question this way:
While you wouldn’t have a forest without trees, I suspect the question is more about the role of trees in the forested ecosystem. It’s a complicated ecosystem, so let me offer a few examples:
Even outside of the forested environment itself, trees are important in a lot of ways. For example carbon sequestration while the trees are growing (CO2 is released as the trees begin to die and degrade), water cycling, and oxygen production. They are also known to filter pollutants from the air and reduce ozone levels in cities.
From a human perspective, people can live pretty well in forests, just like other animals. Research continues to support the notion that being in forests and other natural landscapes is really good for mental health. Further, properly managed forests can provide a sustainable source of building materials.
Those are just a few ideas that suggest the importance of trees. For a lot more details and a bibliography see: http://www.actrees.org/files/Res…
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