Plants are important to people because they:

1
Plants are important to people because they

• provide oxygen to animals.
• are a source of food.
• provide fiber which is used for fabric.
• provide shelter, roofing, and building materials.

• produce by-products such as dyes, decorative
  bark.
• may be used to alter the local environment.
• produce medicinal chemicals.

2
Ways in which Plants Alter their Environments

• Shade.
• Windbreaks.
• Erosion control.
• Noise control.
• Reduction of glare.

• Beautification.
• Production of nitrogen in legumes.
• Act as settling chambers for pollutants.

3
Shade

• Reduces loss of soil moisture by cooling the
  soil.
• Reduces local air temperature.

4
Windbreaks

• Reduce soil moisture loss by reducing
  evapo-transpiration.
• Warm areas in cool weather by reducing the wind
  chill factor.
• Prevent soil erosion.

5
Erosion Control

• Roots capture soil particles as they wash across
  the surface of the ground.
• Leaves capture and slow rain water so soil
  particles are not so easily dislodged.

6
Noise Control

• Plants block sound waves from noisy streets,
  railroads, or buildings.

7
Reduction of Glare

• Plants absorb and soften sunlight.
• Plants shade areas to reduce glare from
  sidewalks, streets, and buildings.

8
Beautification

• Plants help to make areas more attractive.

9
Production of Nitrogen in the Soil

• Soil micro-organisms coexist with legumes to make
  nitrogen for the host plant, as well as other
  nearby plants.

10
Plants Act as Settling Chambers

• Plants absorb particulate pollution (pollution
  which is in particles) and hold them within
  themselves .