Scientific evidence indicates that the $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ added to the air by the burning of wood and fossil fuels is contributing to global warming, a rise in global temperature. Tropical rain forests are estimated to be responsible for approximately $20 \%$ of global photosynthesis, yet the consumption of large amounts of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ by living trees is thought to make little or no net contribution to reduction of global warming. Explain why this might be the case. (Hint: What processes in both living and dead trees produce $\mathrm{CO}_{2} ?$ )
Added by Jack Y.
Step 1
** Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Caroline Mcclure and 69 other Biology educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
Scientific evidence indicates that the CO2 added to the air by the burning of wood and fossil fuels is contributing to global warming, a rise in global temperature. Tropical rainforests are estimated to be responsible for approximately 20% of global photosynthesis, yet the consumption of large amounts of CO2 by living trees is thought to make little or no net contribution to the reduction of global warming. Explain why this might be the case. (HINT: What processes in both living and dead trees produce CO2?)
Sri K.
Tropical rain forests cover only about $3 \%$ of Earth's surface, but they are estimated to be responsible for more than $20 \%$ of global photosynthesis. For this reason, rain forests are often referred to as the "lungs" of the planet, providing $\mathrm{O}_{2}$ for life all over Earth. However, most experts believe that rain forests make little or no net contribution to global $\mathrm{O}_{2}$ production. From your knowledge of photosynthesis and cellular respiration, can you explain why they might think this? (Hint: What happens to the energy stored as sugars in the body of a plant when that plant dies or parts of it are eaten by animals?)
Adi S.
One mystery in environmental science is the imbalance in the "carbon dioxide budget." Considering only human activities, scientists have estimated that 1.6 billion metric tons of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ is added to the atmosphere every year because of deforestation (plants use $\mathrm{CO}_{2},$ and fewer plants will leave more $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ in the atmosphere). Another 5.5 billion tons per year is put into the atmosphere because of burning fossil fuels. It is further estimated (again, considering only human activities) that the atmosphere actually takes up about 3.3 billion tons of this $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ per year, while the oceans take up 2 billion tons per year, leaving about 1.8 billion tons of $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ per year unaccounted for. Describe a mechanism by which $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$ is removed from the atmosphere and ultimately ends up below the surface (Hint: What is the source of the fossil fuels?) [Sections $18.1-18.3 ]$
Recommended Textbooks
Biology for AP Courses
Objective Biology for NEET
Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry
Transcript
18,000,000+
Students on Numerade
Trusted by students at 8,000+ universities
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD