Importance of Plants to Man
Plants are important to people
because they:
• provide oxygen to animals.
• are a source of food.
• produce by-products such as
dyes, decorative bark.
• provide fiber which is used
for fabric.
• may be used to alter the local
environment.
• provide shelter, roofing, and
building materials.
• produce medicinal chemicals.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T1
Importance of Plants to Man
Ways in which Plants Alter their
Environments
• Shade.
• Beautification.
• Windbreaks.
• Production of nitrogen in
legumes.
• Erosion control.
• Noise control.
• Reduction of glare.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
• Act as settling chambers
for pollutants.
313.T2
Importance of Plants to Man
Shade
• Reduces loss of soil
moisture by cooling
the soil.
• Reduces local air
temperature.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T3
Importance of Plants to Man
Windbreaks
• Reduce soil moisture
loss by reducing
evapo-transpiration.
• Warm areas in cool
weather by reducing
the wind chill factor.
• Prevent soil erosion.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T4
Importance of Plants to Man
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.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T5
Importance of Plants to Man
Noise Control
• Plants block sound
waves from noisy
streets, railroads, or
buildings.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T6
Importance of Plants to Man
Reduction of Glare
• Plants absorb and
soften sunlight.
• Plants shade areas to
reduce glare from
sidewalks, streets, and
buildings.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T7
Importance of Plants to Man
Beautification
• Plants help to make
areas more attractive.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T8
Importance of Plants to Man
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.
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T9
Importance of Plants to Man
Plants Act as Settling Chambers
• Plants absorb
particulate pollution
(pollution which is in
particles) and hold
them within
themselves .
Model Agricultural Core Curriculum: Supplement
University of California, Davis
313.T10