How are beans important the environment?

they feed many people? i asked why won't any one else answer? I'm not sure why they are important to the environment, however they are a great source of protien and because you are able to dry them they have a longer lifespan. There are also many varieties and many ways to cook them (the simplest being boiling) and many other types of food can be made from them, soya, which is turned into sausages, patties etc, and tofu being a couple examples. They can also be added to dishes to extend the food or make them a little more wholesome, feshwada for example contains black beans ( it is the Brazilian national dish) and Samp and Beans ( which is a traditional South African Dish) are just a couple.