As we all know, photosynthesis from plants removes harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and therefore planting trees should hopefully help combat climate change.
But when the trees die and rot, won't all this carbon be released back again?
2006-10-31 05:14:08 · 10 answers · asked by royalty 1 in Environment
Plants only remove carbon from co2 while the leaves are growing green. When the leaves dry up in the fall the juices go into the roots and stalk. When trees die the carbon stays in the woody part until burned or decay. Both release co2 again.
Fast growing plants like corn release many times more oxygen than trees especially old ones.
2006-10-31 05:28:02 · answer #1 · answered by jekin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read the previous answers. They all seem to miss one important point. Through photosynthesis, trees convert the CO2 with nutrients, sunlight and water, into glucose and oxygen.
The CO2 is removed because it is converted into carbon and oxygen.
When the tree dies, it returns the carbon into the ground. But not as CO2 (unless it burns).
Therefore, although the total amount of carbon and oxygen does not change from the CO2, they are converted into different substances.
2006-10-31 06:41:48 · answer #2 · answered by Richard P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the rotting leaves and wood from the tree will eventually, over millions of years be compressed and become fossil fuel. Dying plant life does not emit any co2 into the atmosphere.
2006-10-31 05:23:38 · answer #3 · answered by cabjr1961 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trees live longer than people, but they do not live forever. Some live hundreds of years, a few live thousands of years, but none live tens of thousands of years. At some point, no matter how careful we are, the number of trees dying will equal the number being planted, and then no more net CO2 sequestration will take place.
2006-10-31 06:09:38 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes the tree needs the carbon for growth.
2006-10-31 05:16:25 · answer #5 · answered by cawillms 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trres have very long lifespans.
And mostly, they don't die on their own, they are cut down, and made into furniture, in which they don't rot..
So, don't worry.. prolly the animals/humans who die release more carbon di oxide than any tree ever could.
2006-10-31 05:17:49 · answer #6 · answered by Appu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try researching on stromatolites, they're cyanobacteria present when the world was young. They also made the air breathable. Another thing is innovating technology. It makes technology more cost efficient and ecologically friendly. (e.g. hybrid cars and solar panels) Also, try not eating beans and eggs for breakfast, it builds up gas and that's mostly carbon-dioxide in methane form.
2016-05-22 17:53:30 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea it does plants need carbon dioxide for making their food by the process of photosynthesis.......... all this carbon is utilised
2006-10-31 05:19:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
leaves on trees turn carbon dioxide into oxygen.so the more trees the more oxygen.
2006-10-31 05:19:19 · answer #9 · answered by flossie mae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
seriously how often you see a tree die?
2006-10-31 05:16:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋