Ocean phytoplankton and algae produce 70-80% of the earths atmospheric oxygen. Why is tree conservation for oxygen so popular over ocean conservation then?
In: Biology
Trees get hype and we know oxygen is hugely important, but the significance of oxygen production by trees is overestimated and the significance of trees for everything else is underestimated, by laymen, mostly.
Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon. These are great things. But they also: provide habitats for other animals and organisms; stabilize the soil by digging a web of roots that act as a skeletal support for raw earth; retain moisture from the environment, helping the ecosystem maintain a balance of moisture between the rains; shed their leaves annually, helping enrich the soil around them; protect against wind; provide shade; and while we don’t understand all of the scientific reasons why yet, trees are scientifically proven to improve the happiness and health of people the observe and live around them (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/09/scientists-have-discovered-that-living-near-trees-is-good-for-your-health/?noredirect=on).
Trees really are amazing for life on land. The ocean is teeming with life, but land is harder for life, because soil dries up and it takes a lot more energy to maintain our own temperatures, moisture levels, and to even move around on land as opposed to drifting in the water.
Latest Answers