Preventing tree-cutting (Payments to farmers)

Leasing land with forest cover for conservation and protection represents an alternative to deforestation. Since it allows evaluating the ecosystemic services generated by the forest at the same time that the owner receives an economic benefit that allows him/her to improve their income to satisfy their needs, without a need to cut trees to that end.

Products and Services

On a species by species basis, each tree’s products are tremendously important to maintain a nutritional balance in traditional diets. Among these are leaves, edible pods, roots, fruits, and nuts. Arboreal species can also be a source for food condiments, such as spices and the sap of some trees can be used to make wine.

Trees produce a large number of “secondary forest products”. The importance of these products should not be underestimated, since they are a vital contribution to the needs and the general system of living of a large number of small farmers. Many communities depend on them to obtain fibers, used to make ropes, rugs (carpets, mats, and others) silage, baskets, traps, shelters, woven furniture, and even strings for musical instruments. Trees are an important source for many natural medicines. Tannin and dyes are extracted from bark, and pods are used to cure leather and dye textiles.

Oil from seeds of some types can be used as a substitute for paraffin in wind-proof lamps. Leaves and branches of some species have good qualities as insect repellents, for stunning fish, or as a natural antiparasitic for cattle. Some resins may also be used as glue. All of these secondary tree products can be used by the owner or marketed for additional household income.

Trees can generate a large variety of services, among which the following stand out: generating shade for humans, cattle, and crops that may require it. Furthermore, they may become windbreak barriers to safeguard settlements, croplands, grasslands, and roads.

Thermal Regulation

Treetops are designed to capture sunlight and with extended branches shade the ground. This produces a temperature drop and regulates the relative humidity of the surrounding air.

Trees cool and humidify the air by consuming ambient heat and producing water vapor, which is emitted during the photosynthesis process, giving a sensation of pleasant coolness on the hottest days. Near trees, the hottest days are not as hot and the nights are not as cold, since they help to reduce the temperature differential between day and night.