Humans encounter plants every day, whether in their homes, in nature’s wild outback, or parks. However, few people truly understand the vital role or plants. As Louie Schwartzberg explained, humans are a part of nature (00:35). As such, it is essential to understand the significance of plants both locally and globally. Since the evolution of fauna millions of years ago, plans have had immense significance in the world. Globally, an essential role of plants relates to the maintenance of the atmosphere. Plants usually produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis. Oxygen production benefits all aerobic organisms as it serves as an essential component in cellular respiration. Oxygen also maintains the ozone layer that shields the life on earth from damaging UV radiation. When plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, they help reduce the greenhouse effect responsible for global warming. Plants also benefit local populations. For instance, they provide many products for human use, including food, medicine, and pesticides. Usually, humans eat plants to gather the energy stored in their cells. Second, people synthesize plants or extract plant elements to produce prescription medicines. These extracts also facilitate pesticide production. Third, plants fill a critical psychological need. When people add them to a landscape, they make play and work more enjoyable. These, among others, reveal the significance of plants for local populations.
A plethora of research literature on the evolution of terrestrial plants exists. While examining the evolution of plants in response to climate change, Becklin et al. assert that climatic changes have had profound impacts on plants’ psychological functioning to the extent of influencing how plants interact with other organisms and their ecosystem (636). The information presented in this article highlights plants’ evolutionary responses to climate change and how the former helps tackle increased atmospheric CO2 levels.
Works cited
Becklin, Katie M., et al. “Examining plant physiological responses to climate change through an evolutionary lens.” Plant physiology, vol. 172, no.2, 2016, pp. 635-649, doi: 10.1104/pp.16.00793.
“The hudden beauty of pollination | Louie Schwartzberg.” YouTube, uploaded by TED, 9 May 2011, https://youtu.be/eqsXc_aefKI.