by Jo Anna Hebberger, PhD
Plants—we need them. Our existence on this earth depends on plants. They absorb the carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen into the air. In addition, plants provide most of the food we eat, either through direct consumption or through the animal products that we eat, and those animals primarily use plants as feed. Because of this knowledge it is essential that we care for and understand the flora of this world.
Plants made it possible for air breathing animals to evolve. Before plants we did not exist on this earth.
Different species of plants evolved in different parts of the world. We have discovered that the plants that evolved in a particular area of the world are highly adapted to that ecosystem and should remain in that area. Moving plants from countries or continents to places where they did not evolve can create many problems. For an example, elm trees and chestnut trees were decimated in this country from diseases brought here from other lands. The loss of these trees has affected the ecology of our land. Because of introduction of nonnative flora, many other species have been adversely affected, with some species becoming extinct.
The ecosystems in this country that are still made up of native flora and fauna are the healthiest. Our ecosystems are our lifelines and we should be acutely aware of what adverse consequences can occur if we are careless.
This Sunday, September 21, our theme in the Season of Creation will be peace in the garden. Together, let us remember that we are to be stewards of this earth. We need to understand our place in this world and how to care for it.
