There are many advantages of protected forests for humans and nature as a whole. A protected forest is a forest working to protect the support systems in life. If it is threatened, all living things will also be threatened. 

Well-preserved forests have a significant impact on reducing climate change. Forests can absorb carbon dioxide and pollutants in the air so the rate of global warming will gradually decrease.

This article discusses the benefits of protected forests for living creatures and the environment. Thus, read the following explanations!

What Is a Protected Forest?

Did you know that protected forests are the widest forest in Indonesia? The Ministry of the Environment and Forestry revealed that Indonesia has 29.6 million hectares of protected forest. 

The data indicates that many important areas must be covered and protected to maintain life. A protected forest is a forest functioning to keep the forest ecosystem and everything inside is protected from damage and natural disasters. 

Protected forest areas are designated by the government and are strictly guarded against illegal activities. There are many advantages of protected forests. Different from production forests for economic activity, protected forest has the main function of supporting the ecosystem. 

This area is regulated with strict policies to maintain the ecological roles of a sustainable environment. 

The Benefits of a Protected Forest for the Ecosystem and Human Life

The benefits of a protected forest for humans and the ecosystem as a whole are significant. A protected forest ensures that the area is away from threatening natural disasters, such as drought, landslides, floods, and hazardous air pollution. Below are other benefits of protected forests:

1.  Saving Groundwater Reserves

The most common benefit of a protected forest is saving the groundwater reserves. The roots will ensure that the rainwater is held in the ground and does not evaporate. That way, household and agricultural water needs can be met.

Read also: Why Is It Important to Conserve Water? Here Are the 7 Benefits!

2. Preventing Floods

The next benefit of a protected forest is preventing floods. The trees in the forest will absorb the water and decrease the risk of flood. Therefore, the water flowing on the ground can slowly decrease over time.

3. Ensuring Certain Plants’ Life Sustainability

Other than preventing floods, a protected forest provides ideal conditions for rare plants to live. That way, biological uniqueness that is not found anywhere else can be preserved.

4. Maintaining the Balance of Flora and Fauna Ecosystem

Another function of a protected forest is to provide a place for a food chain to occur in an ecosystem. Protected forests are the main habitat for various plants and animals that depend on each other. 

5. Preventing Land Erosion

Aside from landslides and floods, another disaster caused by damaged forests is land erosion. Continuous rainwater that falls directly to the ground can slowly erode the soil structure.

Yet, this risk can be reduced with the dense trees in the forest, avoiding fertile land erosion. As a result, land productivity around protected forests can finally increase.

6. Preventing Climate Change

The next benefit of a protected forest is to prevent climate change. Large volumes of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be absorbed by well-maintained protected forests. In this manner, the earth’s temperature will gradually drop from its current rate.

7. Decreasing Air Pollution

The dense trees in the protected forest can absorb carbon and pollutants. Therefore, this forest can protect the surrounding houses and dwellers from carbon emissions. 

Read also: Simple Ways to Improve Air Quality

8. Providing Non-Wood Sources

The protected forest is a home for plants producing non-wood materials. Many medicinal plants and spices, such as elephant ginger, lemongrass, and cinnamon can be found around the lush protected forest.

9. Protecting Biodiversity

The protected forest becomes a home for various plants and animals. Hence, keeping natural ecosystems intact supports the survival and well-being of species. By maintaining protected woods, an area’s genetic diversity can be preserved.

10. Becoming Educational and Research Sites

The last benefit of a protected forest is to become an educational and research site. It can be a natural laboratory for scientists studying the ecosystem. 

Those are the explanations about the advantages of protected woods for humans and the environment. In addition to supporting biodiversity, a protected forest can reduce the risk of climate change.

Protecting the woods is everyone’s responsibility. Maintained protected woods will help prevent several natural disasters, including landslides, erosion, floods, drying up of water supplies, and more. Thus, you can contribute to the environment and nature to preserve the existing ecosystem.

Along with protecting the woods, you can also join Indonesia Asri for further contributions to the environment. This campaign focuses on doing real actions and education for natural preservation. 

One of the actions is Operasi Semut aiming to educate the importance of sorting waste before throwing it away. The action is one of the Chandra Asri Group’s commitments to protecting the environment. 

Not only Operasi Semut, Indonesia Asri still has a lot of interesting programs and fun challenges in #SiPalingSustainable!

In the actions, there are many simple challenges to support a sustainable lifestyle. Interestingly, you can win the alluring prizes!

Do you want to be Warga Asri with Indonesia Asri? Register yourself now and make the Earth greener! Visit our website for further information and join us to be environmental care generation!

Read also: Self-Love in an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle