How do Plants Contribute to the Ecosystem?

Think of some plants in your life. Maybe you have a tree in your house, or trees and grass in your yard. Now, think about some things that plants do for you. Perhaps you think they clean your air in your home, or provide shade to lounge in outside. While these are good things that they do, plants in the ecosystem do much more than this. They provide oxygen for us, play a role in the carbon cycle, control global warming, etc.

Plants are the most important producers; Plants use energy from sunlight to convert CO2 into glucose (or other sugars). Plants with roles in the ecosystem are called ecological services. They keep us and the rest of the ecosystem alive. What is the role of plants in the ecosystem - read ahead and let that sink in

PS- A plant ecosystem is made up of animals, plants and bacteria, as well as the physical and chemical environments they create. The living parts of an ecosystem are called biological factors, while those that interact with environmental factors are called abiotic factors.

Carbondioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Plants take in CO2 and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This CO2 is used as building blocks for new tissues such as their trunk, branches, leaves and roots that act as carbon stores.

When forests are pruned or burned, huge amounts of carbon are deposited in plant tissue and the soil is released into the atmosphere. This is why it is so important to protect these habitats, especially in ancient primary forests with native species that have had very little human existence in the past. This one is of the great importance of plants in the ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process that green plants use to convert light into chemical energy, as an energy-rich sugar, necessary for growth. Green color in plants results from a chemical called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs the blue and red part of the light spectrum but reflects green light, making most plants appear green. Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide as part of the photosynthesis process, emitting oxygen as a byproduct.

Oxygen

An important byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen. According to sources, a single large tree can produce enough oxygen for four people in one day. Without plants, humans and animals will have less air to breathe. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen back into the atmosphere.

What you don't know is that plants from the sea are the ones that provide the most of the air we breathe. These single-celled plants that flourish in the sea are also known as phytoplankton. Green terrestrial plants make atmospheric oxygen which is essential for the survival of living organisms.

Food

Since plants are considered the primary producers, ecology plants play an important role in feeding the earth's wildlife and humans. Insects, animals, birds, and microbes feed on green plants. These organisms are subsequently eaten by larger animals, which are themselves eaten by even larger animals. Herbivorous like deer rely directly on plants to meet their dietary needs, while carnivores, such as lions, feed on animals that also feed on plants for their survival. And omnivores, like humans, depend on both.

Purify Air

Plants improve air quality through several mechanisms: they increase humidity by transferring water vapor through microscopic leaf pores, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. But plants are not usually selected for indoor use, not for air-purifying capabilities, but for their appearance and survival ability. Plants have also shown to lower stress levels at home and in the workplace and, if that’s not enough, also boast the additional health benefits below:

●They help you sleep better
●They help fight colds
●They help you focus
●They help improve your wellbeing

Some of the major air purifying plants that contribute to the ecosystem in cleansing the air quality are; Philodendron, Snake plant, Peace lily, Rubber plant, Dracaena, etc.

So, you know what role plants play in ecological balance. Well, plants' role in the ecosystem are countless. Because plants help humans and the environment in many ways, ecosystems and plants need to be protected. During this time of environmental uncertainty, it is important that we come together and contribute to the environment and plant as many trees as we can.