Wood used to build our homes depends on plants. Some fuel products are made from plants, like ethanol made from corn and soy diesel made from soybeans. Recreation Plant communities form the basis for many important recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, and nature observation. The oxygen in the air we breathe comes from the photosynthesis of plants. The quality of the air can be greatly influenced by plants.
Plants can stop the movement of dust and pollutants.
Through the intake of carbon dioxide, plants can also lessen the greenhouse effect caused from the burning of fossil fuels like coal. Water Quality Plants are extremely important to the quality of the water we use. A diverse cover of plants aids in maintaining healthy watersheds, streams, and lakes by holding soil in place, controlling stream flows, and filtering sediments from water. The delicate wildflowers that dot the roadsides in Iowa during the spring, summer and fall, protect the soil from erosion caused by heavy rains. Without enough plant cover, wind or water erodes the thin layer of soil that we depend on.