Vegetation restricts the movement of dust and pollutants, and plants, through their intake of carbon dioxide, moderates the greenhouse effect resulting from the burning of fossil fuels. Plants are very important to the quality of water. A dense and diverse community of plants aids in maintaining healthy watersheds, streams, and lakes by stopping soil erosion, and filtering sediments from water. Forests and marshes can greatly moderate local climates. Natural disasters, such as drought, have been attributed deforestation.
Plants are the basis for virtually all life on earth.
The wildflowers and plants you see around you aren't only beautiful, but useful, without them life of every kind would be in danger of extinction. Plant habitats must be protected before species become critically endangered. More than 600 plant species are threatened and endangered in the U.S. and 4,500 other U.S. plant species are at risk of extinction. The first step in appreciating wildflowers is to get a field guide and explore your own backyard.