Prof.Dr.Ban Taha Mohammed
College of Education for Pure Sciences
Keywords: Sustainable development; Trees; Rooftops; Visitors’ route
Planting trees instead of building roofs and canopies is a suitable alternative to a sustainable environment strategy and provides many advantages [1]. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, filter air pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, and release oxygen, improving air quality and helping to fight climate change [2, 3]. As well as resources such as wood, energy use, and waste [4], it is a source of biological diversity and provides places and sources of food for birds, insects, and other animals [5]. Trees offer aesthetic appeal and provide a comfortable atmosphere, increasing the quality of the place and providing a suitable site view [6]. In addition, the waste resulting from the maintenance of these trees is used to improve the soil and reduce heavy metals and their toxicity [7] (Fig 1,2).
In a study conducted by researchers from the University of Karbala[8] , they highlighted a comparison between the artificial covered area and the natural, non-roofed environment of the area between the Two Holy Shrines, during the study, 411 fungal isolates were collected from the air and from two sites, one from the air inside the roofs in the area between the Two Holy Shrines and the other from the open outdoor air in the area between the Two Holy Shrines, the percentage of the total numbers of fungi for the two covered and open sites was 51.75% and 48.24%, respectively, the covered site recorded a higher percentage of fungal numbers compared to the open area site , the reason for these differences in percentages may be due to the availability of environmental conditions in the covered area due to the presence of fans and water sprinklers, which increases the humidity level, as well as the presence of foreign travelers in that area and leaving food waste, which increases the spread of fungi in the area than in others, and this result is considered Similar to what was mentioned by [9]. The area between the Two Holy Shrines differs in the numbers and types of Aspergillus isolated from them [8]. Due to crowding and the abundance of food leftovers, Aspergillus has a high density in the area between the Two Holy Shrines [10]. The covered area contains fungi that are pathogenic to humans, A. latus and A. striatus, which threaten health and society[7]. In a previous study of the same area between the Two Holy Shrines, but before maintenance and roofing were carried out on it, the number of fungi decreased with the increase in the number of visitors, which made it likely that the visitors inhaled fungal spores and also stuck to their clothes [10].
This indicates that vegetation is essential in reducing fungal contamination because it creates a healthy atmosphere that purifies the air from microbes and plankton. Therefore, the trend towards planting tall, fast-growing trees with density may be a reason for getting rid of roofs and their health and environmental damage; trees provide shade and cooling, which reduces the need for energy-consuming air conditioners in neighboring homes and helps cool the environment naturally [11]. Planting trees in areas with high population density will reduce global warming, absorb sound, reduce noise, and contribute to mental and physical health and lower blood pressure [12-14]. The idea of planting the visitors’ path with trees works to manage water. It contributes to the absorption of rainwater through their roots, which reduces surface runoff, prevents moisture erosion, and reduces water and sanitation problems in certain areas [15]. The proposal to plant fruit trees could be a sustainable organic food source, promoting self-sufficiency [16]. Trees also contribute to reducing heat absorption through asphalt, concrete, and roofs, and they contribute to nutrient cycling by dropping leaves that decompose and enrich the soil with organic matter [17]. The idea may be to select trees that are more resistant to fires, as they act as natural firebreaks, which slow the spread of fires when placed in strategic locations, in addition to being barriers against harsh weather conditions, such as winds and heavy rain [18]. The quality of trees along visitor routes must be considered, ensuring that they are suitable for the local environment and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, considering climatic, economic, and aesthetic conditions, for example. Acacia trees, eucalyptus, olives, pomegranates, and palm trees [17, 18] (Fig 3).
This article aims to seek to find the best ways to serve the visitors of AL-Hussein) peace is upon him (by seeking to apply the principles of a sustainable environment and planting all roads leading to the Two Holy Shrines with permanent trees and expanding the idea of planting trees instead of using umbrellas or roofs along the road leading to Karbala, and selecting, caring for and implementing trees to create a compelling and sustainable shading solution for visitors. This idea and a subway may reinforce the importance of maintaining a safe and sustainable civilized environment.
References:
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