Global Warming and the Effect on Plant Diversity
Depletion of tropical forests is becoming one of the many worldwide dilemmas facing our planet. The rapid rate of deforestation is reaching disastrous limits as the demands for resources far exceed supplies. Rainforests provide a home to many species of plants, both known and unknown. Our dependencies on tropical plants are vast ranging from the daily essentials of food and shelter, to cures for cancer and possibly AIDS. As destruction of the rainforest continues, the effects on plants are immense through the loss of genetic diversity and the disappearance of species. Plant species extinction is reaching critical levels. With this extinction comes a cascade of effects on the ecosystems in which plants play a vital role. New medicinal studies and development will be hindered as plant diversity diminishes. Loss of biological diversity means loss of future potential for humanity. Human activities, direct and indirect, are major causes of rainforest depletion. Destruction of rainforests must be ceased before global warming gets out of hand and plant biodiversity is lost cutting off a vital life line forever.
Global warming is commonly referred to as an increase in the temperature of the lowest layers of Earth 's atmosphere. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Primary greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gases, is a very important factor in the vital cycles which sustain life on this planet. Plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and release the oxygen necessary to maintain the lives of animal species, who through exhaling return carbon dioxide in atmosphere, completing the cycle. This is known as the greenhouse effect which is a natural process that made life on Earth
Global warming is commonly referred to as an increase in the temperature of the lowest layers of Earth 's atmosphere. Global warming has occurred in the distant past as the result of natural influences, but the term is most often used to refer to the warming predicted to occur as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Primary greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Carbon dioxide, as well as other greenhouse gases, is a very important factor in the vital cycles which sustain life on this planet. Plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and release the oxygen necessary to maintain the lives of animal species, who through exhaling return carbon dioxide in atmosphere, completing the cycle. This is known as the greenhouse effect which is a natural process that made life on Earth
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