EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and water for photosynthesis to produce oxygen and carbohydrates that plants use for energy and growth. Rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere drive an increase in plant photosynthesis-an effect known as the carbon fertilization effect.

Detailed explanation-2: -Human Activity Is the Cause of Increased Greenhouse Gas Concentrations. Over the last century, burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This increase happens because the coal or oil burning process combines carbon with oxygen in the air to make CO2.

Detailed explanation-3: -In fact, more carbon is stored in the world’s biomes than in the atmosphere (Figure 1). Vegetation not only affects the carbon cycle through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration, but also when vegetation dies or burns.

Detailed explanation-4: -A new study involving ANU and international collaborators has found plants release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through respiration than expected. Plants use photosynthesis to capture carbon dioxide and then release half of it into the atmosphere through respiration.