why are autotrophs important to us?

Question

i need a reason besides they give off oxegen and that we eat them

in like 7th grader words meaning like easy language

Answer 1

Well, not food or O2 producers (very important), but what else is important. Well, over the long time period in which microbial life was the only type on the planet (about 3 billion years) the growth of autotrophs changed the atmosphere by taking up CO2. If you are familiar with the greenhouse effect concept you know that to much CO2 (or other greenhouse gases) traps heat. So, instead of becoming a planet like Venus where the surface temperatures are 900 + degrees F, the drop in CO2 has prevented a similar fate for Earth. Over this same time period the Sun's energy output has increased an estimated 25%, so the drop in CO2 would have been vital to establish temperatures suitable for the evolution of life forms. Anything else - oh yeah, wouldn't you miss the flowers?

Answer 2

They are the base of EVERY foodchain on the planet...without them there would be no life on earth.