Chapter 10, Problem 8TYU

Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason that consumption of a large amount of carbon dioxide by living trees does not make much contribution in the reduction of global warming.

Concept introduction:

The earth’s surface has enormous amount of carbon. It moves through the biosphere in the processes mediated by photosynthetic plants on land and in sea. This is represented as the carbon cycle, which involves two main processes namely photosynthesis and respiration. The photosynthesis process involves fixation of atmospheric carbon in plants to form organic molecules such as sugars required for life processes. Respiration is the process through which carbon is returned to the atmosphere from dead plants in the form of carbon dioxide.