19The Hometown of the Red Pine Tree红松的故乡（黑龙江省小兴安岭）

Summary

The Xing'an Mountains in northeastern China, rich in geological history, are home to the red pine tree, which plays a crucial ecological role. These forests absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, helping to prevent soil erosion. The red pine's pine nuts provide food for wildlife, and their forgotten storage by squirrels helps expand the forest. This area is also home to diverse flora, showcasing stunning colors in autumn, making it a natural wonder with both ecological and aesthetic significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Xing'an Mountains in northeast China are a dense forest located in low mountains and hills.
• 😀 The region is known as the 'hometown of the red pine tree.'
• 😀 The Xing'an Mountains have a long geological history of around 600 million years.
• 😀 Fossils of trilobites and dinosaurs have been unearthed in the region.
• 😀 The land in the area was once part of an ocean, shaped by land and sea changes over millions of years.
• 😀 The red pine tree is of great ecological value, as it absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
• 😀 Every hectare of red pine forest absorbs 13 tons of carbon dioxide and emits 9.5 tons of oxygen annually.
• 😀 The red pine tree helps prevent soil erosion and aids in soil fixation.
• 😀 Wildlife such as black bears, wild boars, and squirrels feed on the pine nuts, with squirrels often forgetting where they store them.
• 😀 The forgotten pine nuts that squirrels leave behind sprout in the spring, helping to expand the red pine forest's territory.
• 😀 In addition to red pines, the Xing'an Mountains are home to a variety of trees that display beautiful colors every autumn.

Q & A

Where is the Xing'an Mountain region located?

The Xing'an Mountains are located in the northeast of China, in the low mountains and hills.

Why is the Xing'an Mountain region referred to as the 'hometown of the red pine'?

The region is called the 'hometown of the red pine' because it is home to a dense forest of red pine trees.

How long is the geological history of the Xing'an Mountains?

The Xing'an Mountains have a geological history that spans approximately 600 million years.

What kinds of fossils have been unearthed in the Xing'an Mountains?

Trilobite and dinosaur fossils have been unearthed in various places within the Xing'an Mountains.

What is the historical significance of the Xing'an Mountains?

The Xing'an Mountains were originally an ocean, with land and sea changes occurring over hundreds of millions of years.

What are the ecological benefits of the red pine tree?

Red pine trees absorb 13 tons of carbon dioxide and emit 9.5 tons of oxygen every year, helping to prevent soil erosion and fix the soil.

What other economic uses does the red pine tree have?

Red pine trees produce edible pine nuts that can be used to make oil, and their wood is light, soft, delicate, and resistant to rot.

How do squirrels contribute to the spread of the red pine tree?

Squirrels collect pine nuts and store them in various places, but due to their poor memory, they often forget where they have placed them. These forgotten nuts sprout in the spring, helping to expand the red pine's territory.

What other wildlife can be found in the Xing'an Mountain forest?

Wild animals such as black bears, wild boars, and squirrels are commonly found in the Xing'an Mountain forest.

What happens to the trees in the Xing'an Mountains during autumn?

In autumn, the trees in the Xing'an Mountains display a variety of beautiful colors, showcasing the beauty of nature.