What environmental benefit is associated with trees?

Trees provide a significant environmental benefit through carbon sequestering. This process involves trees absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. As trees grow, they store carbon in their wood, leaves, roots, and soil, effectively reducing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is crucial for mitigating climate change.

This natural carbon storage process not only helps combat global warming but also improves air quality by removing pollutants. Through their lifespan, trees can sequester substantial amounts of carbon, making them essential components of urban and rural ecosystems alike. By promoting tree planting and proper tree care, municipalities can enhance their carbon management strategies, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly urban landscape.

The other options do not represent beneficial environmental impacts. For instance, noise reduction can be a benefit of trees, but it is not as directly linked to pressing global issues like climate change as carbon sequestering. Increased urban heat is a negative effect associated with impervious surfaces and insufficient vegetation, while soil erosion is an environmental challenge that trees help mitigate rather than contribute to.