BY: LEANDRIA P. PAGUNSAN
DUMAGUETE CITY, July 25 (PIA) -- Trees are very important in sustainng ecological balance in order to mitigate the bad impacts of climate change.
This was the statement of Professor Renee Paalan of the Biology Department, Silliman University during a Kapihan sa PIA forum on Renewable Energy vis-a-vis Climate Change held at Bethel Guest House recently.
Paalan emphasized on the importance of trees in preventing floods and soil erosion as well as source of watershed in our forest areas.
The professor explained that water stored in the barks and stems of trees are the source of watershed that supplies our water consumption.
Citing the importance of trees, Paalan said that flood prone areas in Negros Oriental must be planted with trees that have well spreading roots such as the Acacia because it can absorb plenty of water.
Paalan also said that fig trees like the Dalakit, Labnog, Mansinitas and the like are natural protectors that grow in river banks.
“Let the trees live where they are grown because that is their natural habitat. They are there for a purpose, and that is to protect” said the biology professor.
Paalan said that portions of Negros Oriental's forest cover in Mt. Canlaon declared as critical area have been massively converted to vegetable production.
Another protected area, the Cuernos de Negros with Balinsasayao Twin Lakes and geothermal reserved area have parts that are also converted to agriculture.
Morever, Paalan said that Siaton, Sta. Catalina and Bayawan City have no more primary forest, what is left there now are only patches of the original forest.
According to her the estimated forest cover left in the province now is only 1.2% from the original of 3 to 4%, and Cuernos de Negros area greatly contributes to the 1.2% forest cover left.
The Biology professor also stressed that ecological importance of forest remnants should be sustained because these are habitat for natural vegetation of forest trees that can help prevent the occurence of extreme climatic conditions.
Paalan in her closing statement urged everyone to contribute in caring for the environment by planting trees in our respective areas and most especially to put spirituality in the science of protecting the environment. (mbcn/lpp/PIA-7/Negros Oriental)