Fabulous Photosynthesis
Submitted by Erin Harris on Mon, 2017-07-10 00:00
Ecosystem services are plentiful, yet delicate, and very important. Which is most important is a very difficult question to answer..... But, at this moment, I am finding PHOTOSYNTHESIS as the most important service because it benefits all biotic factors in all ecosystems. This "magical" process is dependent upon other services such as clean water, healthy air quality and beautiful sunlight and ultimately services every living organism with the energy they need to survive. The products of photosynthesis are oxygen and chemical energy called glucose. These products fuel living things and allow energy to flow through living systems. With this said, the world would not exist as we know it without "fabulous photosynthesis"!
What would you consider to be the most important ecosystem service?
Comments
The Wobble
I spent last week vacationing in Central Oregon. My teens and I spent one evening with a guide canoeing on Hosmer Lake in the Cascades. It was a full moon tour so much of our discussion revolved around space, the elcipse, stars, our sun and our moon and their interactions with life on Earth. The guide initiated a discussion regarding the earth's tilt and wobble and the what-ifs if our moon left the Earth. He was hypothesizing about the increased degree of wobble for the Earth that would ensue should we lose our moon and how we could end up experiencing all four seasons in less than 24 hours. We discussed how that would impact plant life leading to its and our demise. So, yes! I do tend to love our plants and their hard work to fuel life here on Earth. Thanks for offering a unique line of discussion, Erin.