In recent years, scientists have come to better understand the critical role that plants play in regulating Earth’s climate. A new study by Julian Rogger and his colleagues at ETH Zurich and the University of Leeds has shed light on this topic, revealing that plants are active participants in Earth’s climate cycle.
Over millions of years, various climate changes have shaped the planet as we know it today. These changes in carbon dioxide levels and temperatures provide insight into the current response to global warming. The study suggests that plants help regulate the composition of the atmosphere by trapping carbon and releasing oxygen, as well as speeding up soil weathering processes to consume greenhouse gases.
Computer models have shown that plant activity can act as a buffer against slow changes in climate, preventing temperatures from fluctuating too rapidly over millions of years. However, rapid changes in climate have also led to significant alterations in vegetation and even mass extinctions. Researchers aim to understand how quickly plant characteristics can change when the world experiences sudden temperature increases.
By studying changes in continents, climate, and vegetation over the past 390 million years, a team of geologists, computer scientists, and earth scientists found that life, climate, and geology are interconnected through a feedback loop. This research helps shed light on the coevolution of climate, vegetation, and tectonics. The study highlights the importance of understanding the role of plants in shaping the Earth’s environment and tackling the challenges of climate change.
In conclusion, plants play a crucial role not only in adapting to but also shaping habitable conditions on Earth over millions of years. As such
