What Is Deforestation? Be Proactive: Knowledge Is Power

Tags: global warming, greenhouse gases, CER, carbon credits, reforestation, deforestation, paulownia, Panama Mankind is feeling the wrath of nature. It seems that more and more natural disasters are taking place; and this has led to consciousness about the earth’s resources. Forests are the most affected ecosystem in the planet. This is probably due to the fact that basic necessities need trees as a raw material.

What is even more appalling is man’s desire for wider land areas, so they cut off more trees in order to convert the area into a housing community or subdivision; and an agricultural land or worse, a dump site – this perhaps can be the answer to what is deforestation.

By Definition
By definition, deforestation means the cutting or removal of trees from woodlands or forests in order to convert the land into commercial or logging reasons or for whatever purpose it may serve them. Generally, deforestation denotes the extraction of trees without sufficient reforestation or effort to replant a tree elsewhere to replace the one that has been cut.

Since time immemorial, man has been making the environment adapt to the civilizations’ growing needs. First it was cutting trees down to use for kindling, next it was for shelter, and then for paper and other products. Thousands of forests have been cleared all over the world to pave way for man’s innovations and spatial requirements. It seems that forests are present to cater to man’s needs and whims.

Raising Consciousness
It is human nature to be moved into action when our sense of well being becomes endangered. This is undoubtedly the reason why most people are becoming concerned over deforestation.

The easiest way to make people care is to emphasize the benefits of forests and woodland, and to show how its depletion will radically change our lives for the worst. First off, deforestation revolves around a number of issues but none as totally important as the two key subjects that we must be aware of: the primary concern is global warming or green house effect, the secondary matter is the question of whether the trees are utilized properly and if reforestation efforts are being made.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, helping reduce the amount of carbon released into our atmosphere. Deforestation kills the trees that help prevent greenhouse effect. Green house effect accounts for the Earth’s over all temperature rises, thus causing bizarre weather patterns. That is why the frequency of droughts, floods, tidal waves, and other natural disasters have risen.

The second concern is that the trees being cleared to pave way for metropolis are simply slashed and burned. Aside from the excessive emission of carbon dioxide brought about by burning wood, there is the apprehension that the trees would have been put to better use providing shelter for the homeless, building materials or other useful undertakings. The subsequent effects are truly devastating. Who knew that deforestation can cause so much head ache?

Yes, who knew? If only people have taken the time to inform themselves then they would have been able to make informed decisions and fight for what is right.

What Can You Do To Help?
Since you are now knowledgeable of what is deforestation, it would be of much help to lead in the initial steps to change. Are you thinking what a lowly individual can do to help? Well, small steps make a huge difference especially when everyone is working at the same goal. Armed with the knowledge of the disasters that deforestation can bring about will definitely make a person regulate his or her actions.

Start by conserving the most basic of household materials like paper towels, napkins and tissue papers. Recycling and knowing how to recycle materials will greatly help find a solution to green house emissions. Next is to be pro active and help educate other people by joining campaign groups who fight against deforestation.

Generally you don’t have to be like a crazy person shouting at the streets and joining rallies, begin by changing your attitude and outlook and then you will see that little things do make a difference.

You might also consider in investing in reforestation projects. One of the most productive is a paulownia reforestation project in Panama which not only helps to save the environment, puts money in your pocket but provides jobs and social development for peoples of extreme poverty. Information may be found at www.panampro.com

To help you decide if paulownia investment is right for you, you might want to read www.paulownianow.org After Copenhagen, the world’s attention has turned to carbon credits and pollution. To see how paulownia is being used to counteract the effects of carbon pollution and excellent informational site may be found at www.paulowniapanama.org  

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New and Improved Interior Window Shutters

With the world’s wood supplies diminishing, it’s important to find a suitable alternative for making wooden items such as shutters that won’t have a detrimental effect on the world’s wood supplies or our environment.

Paulownia is the latest choice for manufacturing interior window shutters, as its ideal for making lightweight yet strong plantation shutters. However, this also has an added benefit, as it comes from sustainable sources. It provides all the benefit of traditional wood, but has a number of additional features which other woods don’t have. In particular its weight to strength ratio means that it makes an ideal choice for manufacturing.

Hard Wearing, Lightweight and Safe

Paulownia is less likely than more traditional woods to shrink or warp. As it is engineered in the manufacturing of interior window shutters, ensuring it is particularly strong, making it ideal to use for large shutters. Those offering Paulownia interior window shutters are able to provide greater guarantees than before, both for larger shutters and also increased folding options. For those want interior window shutters to cover large openings Paulownia is a perfect yet cost effective material to select.

Paulownia is also rot-resistant due to its low moisture content, but most importantly fire-retardant as it ignition point is higher than some traditional woods. This makes it a great choice for use in the home.

Appearance

Paulownia has a similar appearance to white ash, making it perfect to stain to resemble other woods such as mahogany or oak. The grains running through it are straight and easily visible, creating a beautiful texture for interior window shutters.

The Paulownia Plant

Paulownia trees are native to China, although they have been cultivated across other parts of Eastern Asia. The trees themselves can grow up to 25m tall and have flowers similar to foxgloves. In China they have also been used to reforest some areas, and their deciduous leaves appear on the badge of Japans government.

Eco-Friendly

The Paulownia tree is able to regenerate from its old stump, so it can be harvested in a similar fashion to Willow. This regeneration has led to them being known as the phoenix tree. The trees are quick growing, being ready for harvest within 5 to 7 years so that their wood can be used for manufacturing products such as interior window shutters. The tree also has the ability to help poor soil affected by industrialization, as its root systems run deep but are able to deal with contaminants and convert them into something more suitable for the environment. Their large leaves also play a part in the process by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it to oxygen which is then released. An important process when many of our forests that would normally do this are disappearing.

Uses

Paulownia is ideal for manufacturing interior window shutters, which require strength, resistance to warping, twisting, and moisture and yet remain lightweight. Appearance is also important, as those who choose shutters also want to be sure that their product has a beautiful wooden finish whether stained or painted. Paulownia offers all of these yet allow the purchaser to make an ecologically friendly choice. There are a range of things that are currently made from Paulownia, including coffins, furniture and guitars. Its uses are many and diverse, but it makes the perfect wood to choose if you are looking for beautiful interior window shutters.

For more information consult www.paulownianow.org

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Anti-herbivore Structures of Paulownia tomentosa: Morphology, Distribution, Chemical Constituents and Changes during Shoot and Leaf Development

Tags: Anti-herbivore defense, dendritic trichome, extrafloral nectary, flavonoids, glandular hair, glycerides, indirect defense, leaf development, morphology, optimal defense hypothesis, Paulownia tomentosa, shoot development, paulownia Panama

Sawa Kobayashi^1,*, Teigo Asai², Yoshinori Fujimoto² and Shiro Kohshima¹

¹Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology
² Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro, Tokyo 152-8551, Japan

Background and Aims: Recent studies have shown that small structures on plant surfaces serve ecological functions such as resistance against herbivores. The morphology, distribution, chemical composition and changes during shoot and leaf development of such small structures were examined on Paulownia tomentosa.

Methods: The morphology and distribution of the structures were studied under light microscopy, and their chemical composition was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. To further investigate the function of these structures, several simple field experiments and observations were also conducted.

Key Results: Three types of small structures on P. tomentosa were investigated: bowl-shaped organs, glandular hairs and dendritic trichomes. The bowl-shaped organs were densely aggregated on the leaves near flower buds and were determined to be extrafloral nectarines (EFNs) that secrete sugar and attract ants. Nectar production of these organs was increased by artificial damage to the leaves, suggesting an anti-herbivore function through symbiosis with ants. Glandular hairs were found on the surfaces of young and/or reproductive organs. Glandular hairs on leaves, stems and flowers secreted mucilage containing glycerides and trapped small insects. Secretions from glandular hairs on flowers and immature fruits contained flavonoids, which may provide protection against some herbivores. Yellow dendritic trichomes on the adaxial side of leaves also contained flavonoids identical to those secreted by the glandular hairs on fruits and flowers. Three special types of leaves, which differed from the standard leaves in shape, size and identity of small structures, developed near young shoot tips or young flower buds. The density of small structures on these leaf types was higher than on standard leaves, suggesting that these leaf types may be specialized to protect young leaves or reproductive organs. Changes in the small structures during leaf development suggested that leaves of P. tomentosa are primarily protected by glandular hairs and dendritic trichomes at young stages and by the EFNs at mature stages.

Conclusions: The results indicate that P. tomentosa protects young and/or reproductive organs from herbivores through the distribution and allocation of small structures, the nature of which depends on the developmental stage of leaves and shoots.

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