14 Importance of Plants| in Human Life & Earth

Role of plants in the environment and human life is very great.

We grow plants in the education institutes, roadsides, gardens, offices etc.

for health andbeauty.
But in fact they are the actual resources of life on the earth.

Their presence is inevitable for clean air, food and water.

So environmentalist voice for conservation of plants.

They contribute to all the types of living beings either big or small, on land or water.

Even the economic importance of plants is also quite large to mankind.

Our planet earth is called a green planet due to presence of plants alone.

IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS TO HUMANS

Plants are most important to mankind. Of the living forms, are more dependent on plants for
various needs. Below are some of the use of plants to human life.

1. Food: Plants are the main source of food for survival. Plants unlike humans and animals
manufacture their own food by photosynthesis. They can do so due to their unique ability to
converge the light energy in the from of carbohydrates by use of carbon-dioxide and water.
This process takes place in the leaves as they contain a colored pigment namely chlorophyll.
 By: Apolonia/freedigitalphotos
Due to this they form their own food and also store some of it in the form of fruits. This
fruits and other parts of plants are consumed by humans and animals.
In every food chain, the plants occupy the first position and lead the chain as source of food.
For example

Grass→ Cow→ Lion.

Grass → Insect → Frog→ Snake→ Eagle.

Here the plant starts the chain and other animals live on it directly or indirectly.

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Thus plants are source of food to all the other living beings.

Plants provide carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fruits, vegetables and other nutritional stuff.
This is the importance of plants to life on earth. Without which no life on earth can ever
exist.

2. Shelter: Plants are the important source of shelter. We obtain wood and furniture for
shelter. The trees like teak, neem, red sandal etc are sources of wood for making furniture
like doors, chairs, shelves etc.
Even the presence of plants around the area of human life relieves stress. Hence we see many
people growing small plants in their household to get fresh air and also give naturalness.
3. Clothing: Plants are the largest providers of textile and fabric material.

These materials are used for making cloth and bedding which is required by humans.

The plant material like cotton, jute etc contribute to manufacture yarn and there by clothing.

4. Reduce Gaseous pollution: In cities and towns, there is rise in gaseous pollution
like(CO2, CO, SO2 etc). This is due to automobiles and factories reducing the healthy
oxygen ratio of air. Air pollution causes diseases of various types. So growing plants on the
road side, parks etc. helps minimize the gaseous pollution. Even growing plants in office,
residential areas, education institutes etc. is advantageous. For this we use low maintenance
plants like, indoor potted plants & indoor hanging plants.
5. Medicines: Plants are a great source of medicine even for life threatening diseases.
For example drugs like

♦ Digoxin for heart failure (from digitalis plant)

By:Praisaeng/freedigitalphotos
♦ Vincristine for cancer (from vinca rosea)

♦ Theophyllin for asthma (from coffee & Tea)

♦ Ergot for migraine. (from Rye plant due to fungus ergot)

♦ Reserpine for blood pressure are obtained from them.

So we can notice that plants are the sole sources of medicines for life threatening disorders
even.

Also medicines from plants are safe due to their low propensity for side effects and also
compatability on humans. Further their cultivation is environment friendly.
Check out→ Importance of Medicinal plants for more.
Besides, Bacteria, fungi like microbes are which are classified as plants in taxonomy also
support humans. For instance they produce antibiotics, insulin, hormones, enzymes by
recombinant DNA technology.
6. Source of vitamins: Plants are the largest source of essential vitamins to the body. Body
cannot manufacture vitamins on its own for metabolism.
7. Rubber & Plastic: We obtain rubber required for tyre, wiring, seats etc from plants.
8) Natural pesticides: Plants are also the source of insecticides and pesticides. Using
artificial pesticides are harmful to the environment. They may even enter food causing health
issue to human and animals. Using these naturally derived pesticides are safe. They degrade
with time and even do not harm the soil. Ex: Pyrethrin (as Mosquito repellant), Neem,
bacteria etc.
9). Economic contribution: Plants are great contributors of economy. Many countries rely
on agriculture as on of the main source of revenue.
Plants are responsible for production of food, cosmetics, drugs, cloth, honey, gum,
tannins,essential oils (perfumes), alkaloids, resins etc. which are all money yielding. So
plants provide a great contribution to economic growth. Even presently Indian and other
Asian countries’ economy largely depends on plant products.
IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS FOR ENVIRONMENT &
EARTH.
Environment is and climate are largely interlinked with plants. Rainfall, humidity and
temperature are influenced b presence of plants. Cutting down plants also imbalance the
environment which will indirectly affect human life.

Check out→Importance of Environment.

1. Gaseous balance: Plants help maintain gaseous balance in the air. Animals emit carbon
dioxide by taking in oxygen. This rise in carbon-dioxide is reduced by plants. They consume
carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. Thus oxygen the essential life
force is kept intact on the earth due to plants alone.
2. Prevent soil erosion: Plants when grown in dense prevent soil erosion, i.e. in times of
winds, the fertile top layer of soil is carried away by air. This is prevented by plants if grown
around.
3. Ecological balance: Plants impart greenery to the atmosphere, they help reduce heat and
prevent drying up of moisture. Thus they are environmental savvy.
4. Support rainfall: Plants and trees have a cooling effect on the atmosphere leading to
cause of rainfall. Hence we see no rains in deserts.
Rainfall is very important to provide water for drinking, cleaning, irrigation etc. Hence role
of forest in the cause of rainfall is indispensable.

5. Maintain soil fertility: Plants maintain soil fertility. Their droppings and shedding of
leaves, fruits and other parts degrade in the soil to form humus. This humus increases soil
fertility as it is microbial friendly. Plants like blue green algae and bacteria are also
extensively used to fix nitrogen in the soil for agriculture.

6. Support for birds and animals:

By:antpkr/freedigitalphotos
Plants are the best places of shelter for birds and few animals like monkeys & squirrels to
live.

Birds build their nests for hatching eggs, sleep, hunt and safety on the trees.

In forests, animals can take shelter under trees in heavy summers and rain.

They also provide nutrition for many soil worms (earthworms), insects, rodents etc.
7. Miscellaneous benefits: They are the source of essential oils which are used in perfumes.
Their material is used for making beverages like wine, beer etc. Other items like paper, bio-
diesel, bio-manure are also obtained by use of plant material.
Given the vast importance of plants we should be responsible for plant conservation.
Thanks…