Thursday, November 1, 2012

Trees in our Ecosystem


Trees are living organisms that constitute a very important part of the ecosystem. They have a wide range of other living things associated with them. Different species of birds and insects as well as other animals are usually associated with different types of trees. Palm trees, pomegranate trees, fig trees and fruit tree are examples of the different varieties of trees nature has to offer. Some of these species of trees have distinct features that make it easier to differentiate them from each other.

Palm trees fall under a family of plants known as arecaceae. They are usually known to grow in hot climates. Most palm trees are characterized by tall and unbranched stems with large evergreen leaves, spirally arranged at the top of the trunk. One of the most common palm trees is the coconut palm. Palm trees are of great value and importance to human beings because of the great products and food that come from it. A good example is palm oil that is commonly used in most households for cooking purposes. Palm wine is another great product extracted from palm trees.

Pomegranate trees on the other hand fall under a different species of plants that is not widely common to man. They are fruit bearing shrubs that grow to heights of about eight meters. The tree is native to the Asian continent but it has gradually spread to parts of Europe, northern Africa and tropical Africa. It is characterized by bright red flowers and a conspicuous edible fruit with a thick reddish skin. It is widely considered an ornamental tree and can be found in parks and gardens.
The fig tree is a very common species of shrubs. It is commonly found in most parts of sub Saharan Africa as well as parts of Europe and southwest Asia. Fig trees are of great importance not only to man but also to animals as it is an important food resource to wildlife. They are also viewed as sacred objects of worship among certain African communities. They are characterized by their distinctive shape and their fruits that set them apart from other plants.

Last but not least, a fruit tree is a tree that bears fruit for consumption by humans and some animals. Such fruits include oranges and pears. Fruit trees are therefore varied and different species may have unique characteristics that set them apart from others. Some of the fruits produced not only offer nutritional value but may also double up to offer medicinal value to humans.
In conclusion, trees play very important roles in our lives, their value to both human beings and animals continue to underline their essence and the need to jealously safe guard their presence within the ecosystem.