The chaparral ecosystem is a plant and animal community that is relatively rare. Summers are hot there, and winters are moist. This ecosystem is usually found in California, northern Mexico, Chile, Australia, and South Africa. Wildfires are a natural part of the chaparral ecosystem, and can benefit the environment in several different ways. It can also be started in many different ways. It can be started by lightning, or hot dry winds. However, this is not to be mistaken with accidental fires caused by humans, which might be started by a cigarette, campfire, or match. People might debate whether wildfires are good or bad, and it can be both. In my opinion, wildfires are healthy and beneficial to the environment.
There are several reasons why wildfires once in a while can actually be helpful. First, they can clear out excess shrubs that might have taken us humans hours to clear out. However, a small flame, and poof! The shrub is gone. If wildfires don’t occur once in a while, more and more shrubs will grow, and soon enough, that patch of land will soon be covered with unwanted shrubs and bushes. Wildfires can also help clear out lands for farming. If you wanted to farm on a land covered with prickly bushes, a wildfire might actually be a great way to help you get rid of them.
Wildfires can also help the environment in several amazing ways. It can help some species of trees and plants release their seeds. Some plants actually need the heat and the smoke to release their seeds for more of those plants. The heat and the smoke change the soil, which helps the plant. Without wildfires, these species of plants will be more in danger of becoming endangered or extinct. These plants probably live near the chaparral ecosystems, since they need it. If wildfires don’t exist in the world, there might be a chance that you might not get to see these plants, since they won’t be able to reproduce without them.
Lastly, wildfires can clear many forest floors and get rid of tree or plant diseases that might spread to other plants and trees. Woody debris left to decompose releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere at a much slower rate than if it were burned. Diseases that trees might carry around can be slowed down if they were burned, since the affected tree is no longer living, and is no longer able to transfer the disease to another tree. If wildfires didn’t happen, think of how many trees in the environment might be affected with a terrible disease, and how much carbon dioxide might be released into the air.
In conclusion, wildfires are actually good for the environment. From getting rid of excess shrubs, to helping plants reproduce so new plants can sprout, to getting rid of terrible tree diseases, nature might actually be worse than it is right now if wildfires cease to exist and burn occasionally. Wildfires are a natural part of the chaparral ecosystem, and play an important role in our lives. If wildfires didn’t exist, humans would have to chop down trees, clear shrubs, and watch plants become endangered species. Overall, wildfires are actually healthy and beneficial for everybody and the environment.
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