Iran sets sights on green water resources for 'one billion
trees' campaign 

The Iranian minister of agriculture said his ministry has
counted on green water supplies to plant one billion trees across the country
within four years.

"We have the capacity to plant 250 million trees
annually and we will use green water resources," Javad Sadatinejad said
recently.

Green water is that fraction of rainfall that infiltrates
into the soil and is available to plants. It includes soil water holding
capacity and the continual replenishment of reserves by rainfall. Green water
is the largest fresh water resource, the basis of rain-fed agriculture and all
life on land; and yet it has received remarkably little attention in contrast
to blue water – the fraction of water that reaches rivers directly as runoff
or, indirectly, through deep drainage to groundwater and stream base flow. 

He added that indigenous species particular to each area and
climate will be planted in lush and fecund areas across Iran.

The Iranian government has plans underway to produce one
billion saplings in biodegradable pot containers and plant them across the
country over the course of four years as part of a global initiative to help
save the Earth from climate change and biodiversity loss. 

“Plant a Billion Trees” campaign is
a major forest restoration program developed by United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change to slow the connected crises of climate change.

Trees are among the most important species on the planet due
to offering over 30 useful services to the ecosystem, such as oxygen production,
wildlife species protection, soil and ground water resources preservation, most
importantly reducing air pollution by absorbing the particulate matters.  

Each tree produces 2 kilograms of oxygen annually, so one
hectare of trees can produce 2,500 to 3,000 oxygen which help 10 people to
breathe oxygen, while they can reduce the area’s temperature by 11 degrees.