Gilhen-Baker Melinda, Roviello Valentina, Beresford-Kroeger Diana, Roviello Giovanni N
Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport, 49, Chavchavadze avenue, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia.
Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
Environ Chem Lett. 2022;20(2):1529-1538. doi: 10.1007/s10311-021-01372-y. Epub 2022 Jan 5.
Old forests containing ancient trees are essential ecosystems for life on earth. Mechanisms that happen both deep in the root systems and in the highest canopies ensure the viability of our planet. Old forests fix large quantities of atmospheric CO, produce oxygen, create micro-climates and irreplaceable habitats, in sharp contrast to young forests and monoculture forests. The current intense logging activities induce rapid, adverse effects on our ecosystems and climate. Here we review large old trees with a focus on ecosystem preservation, climate issues, and therapeutic potential. We found that old forests continue to sequester carbon and fix nitrogen. Old trees control below-ground conditions that are essential for tree regeneration. Old forests create micro-climates that slow global warming and are irreplaceable habitats for many endangered species. Old trees produce phytochemicals with many biomedical properties. Old trees also host particular fungi with untapped medicinal potential, including the Agarikon, , which is currently being tested against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Large old trees are an important part of our combined cultural heritage, providing people with aesthetic, symbolic, religious, and historical cues. Bringing their numerous environmental, oceanic, ecological, therapeutic, and socio-cultural benefits to the fore, and learning to appreciate old trees in a holistic manner could contribute to halting the worldwide decline of old-growth forests.
拥有古树的原始森林是地球上生命赖以生存的重要生态系统。发生在根系深处和最高树冠层的各种机制确保了我们星球的生存能力。与年轻森林和单一栽培林形成鲜明对比的是，原始森林固定大量大气中的二氧化碳，产生氧气，创造微气候和不可替代的栖息地。当前密集的伐木活动正在对我们的生态系统和气候造成迅速的不利影响。在此，我们以生态系统保护、气候问题和治疗潜力为重点，对大型古树进行综述。我们发现，原始森林持续吸收碳并固定氮。古树控制着对树木再生至关重要的地下条件。原始森林创造的微气候减缓了全球变暖，并且是许多濒危物种不可替代的栖息地。古树产生具有多种生物医学特性的植物化学物质。古树还寄生着具有尚未开发药用潜力的特定真菌，包括目前正在针对2019冠状病毒病（COVID - 19）进行测试的扁枝衣。大型古树是我们共同文化遗产的重要组成部分，为人们提供美学、象征、宗教和历史线索。凸显它们众多的环境、海洋、生态、治疗和社会文化效益，并学会以整体的方式欣赏古树，可能有助于阻止全球范围内原始森林的衰退。
