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Are trees the only source of large amounts of oxygen?
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Parth Chopra
Are trees the only source of large amounts of oxygen?
71% of the earth's surface is taken up by water. Not surprisingly therefore, the seas are an important source of oxygen. National Geographic claims that photosynthesis by phytoplankton (mostly single-celled phototrophs, such as cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms) account for half of the earth's oxygen production. The other half, they claim, is produced on land by trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants.
Based on these reports, hence, marine phototrophs account for 50 - 80% of the earth's oxygen production.
With regard to terrestrial oxygen production, NASA reports that 30% of the land is covered by trees, and as much as 45 percent of the carbon stored on land is tied up in forests. So on land, trees are definitely large contributors to oxygen production.
71% of the earth's surface is taken up by water. Not surprisingly therefore, the seas are an important source of oxygen. National Geographic claims that photosynthesis by phytoplankton (mostly single-celled phototrophs, such as cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms) account for half of the earth's oxygen production. The other half, they claim, is produced on land by trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants.
Based on these reports, hence, marine phototrophs account for 50 - 80% of the earth's oxygen production.
With regard to terrestrial oxygen production, NASA reports that 30% of the land is covered by trees, and as much as 45 percent of the carbon stored on land is tied up in forests. So on land, trees are definitely large contributors to oxygen production.
It's worth adding that trees are a very recent addition to the planet's oxygen budget. It was the evolution of cyanobacteria in the early oceans that produced all that oxygen in the first place!More
forests are going to be almost entirely oxygen-neutral on average; your typical natural forest will produce as much oxygen as it consumes (the dead trees will eventually decompose, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide among other things). To make them an oxygen-positive system, you need to prevent the decomposition - for example, in a bog (as in the trees we now mine as coal), or by cutting the trees down and making stuff out of the wood. So it's actually the industrial forests that consume more carbon dioxide on average than they produce. Now.More
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I am not sure which class of organisms have the highest contribution in oxygen production but diatoms do have a significant contribution. The introduction in this paper says that diatoms account for 40% of marine photosynthesis which according to this site is "1/4 of the oxygen we breathe."
I am not sure which class of organisms have the highest contribution in oxygen production but diatoms do have a significant contribution. The introduction in this paper says that diatoms account for 40% of marine photosynthesis which according to this site is "1/4 of the oxygen we breathe."
Trees are definitely not the only source of oxygen. First, all green plants do photosynthesis, not only trees. Moreover, about half of all photosynthesis on earth is done by microorganisms in the oceans known as phytoplankton.
Trees are definitely not the only source of oxygen. First, all green plants do photosynthesis, not only trees. Moreover, about half of all photosynthesis on earth is done by microorganisms in the oceans known as phytoplankton.
71% of the earth's surface is taken up by water. Not surprisingly therefore, the seas are an important source of oxygen. National Geographic claims that photosynthesis by phytoplankton (mostly single-celled phototrophs, such as cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms) account for half of the earth's oxygen production. The other half, they claim, is produced on land by trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants.
The Ecology Global Network takes it a step further and claims that all marine plants (including phytoplankton) together produce 70 to 80 percent of the oxygen in the atmosphere.
Based on these reports, hence, marine phototrophs account for 50 - 80% of the earth's oxygen production.
With regard to terrestrial oxygen production, NASA reports that 30% of the land is covered by trees, and as much as 45 percent of the carbon stored on land is tied up in forests. So on land, trees are definitely large contributors to oxygen production.
71% of the earth's surface is taken up by water. Not surprisingly therefore, the seas are an important source of oxygen. National Geographic claims that photosynthesis by phytoplankton (mostly single-celled phototrophs, such as cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms) account for half of the earth's oxygen production. The other half, they claim, is produced on land by trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants.
The Ecology Global Network takes it a step further and claims that all marine plants (including phytoplankton) together produce 70 to 80 percent of the oxygen in the atmosphere.
Based on these reports, hence, marine phototrophs account for 50 - 80% of the earth's oxygen production.
With regard to terrestrial oxygen production, NASA reports that 30% of the land is covered by trees, and as much as 45 percent of the carbon stored on land is tied up in forests. So on land, trees are definitely large contributors to oxygen production.
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I am not sure which class of organisms have the highest contribution in oxygen production but diatoms do have a significant contribution. The introduction in this paper says that diatoms account for 40% of marine photosynthesis which according to this site is "1/4 of the oxygen we breathe."
I am not sure which class of organisms have the highest contribution in oxygen production but diatoms do have a significant contribution. The introduction in this paper says that diatoms account for 40% of marine photosynthesis which according to this site is "1/4 of the oxygen we breathe."
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Trees are definitely not the only source of oxygen. First, all green plants do photosynthesis, not only trees. Moreover, about half of all photosynthesis on earth is done by microorganisms in the oceans known as phytoplankton.
Trees are definitely not the only source of oxygen. First, all green plants do photosynthesis, not only trees. Moreover, about half of all photosynthesis on earth is done by microorganisms in the oceans known as phytoplankton.
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