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Feature Report: Forests and Oceans: Natural Carbon Sinks

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Photosynthesis in plants

Photosynthesis in plants

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What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a process whereby plants convert light energy from the Sun into chemical energy. Plants play an essential role in life on Earth, from water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2), carbohydrates are synthesized and plants release oxygen.

Phase 1 : Young tree

Carbon dioxide is stored as a cellulose in the plant's leaves, roots and stem (known as the vegetative organs) mainly during the growth stage.

Solar energy

 
 

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

 
 

Water (H2O)

 
 
 

Dioxygen (O2)

 
 

Mineral ions

 

Water (H2O)

Trees absorb CO2 by opening pores called “stomata”. At the same time, some of the plant’s stored water is evacuated from the stomata into water vapor.
 

Phase 2 : Mature tree

Trees absorb less CO2 as they mature. Carbon represents 20% of their weight on average, but this can rise to as much as 50% in dense tropical forests.

Solar energy

 
 

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

 
 

Water (H2O)

 
 

Carbon (C)

 
 
 

Dioxygen (O2)

 
 

Mineral ions

 

Phase 3 : Dead tree

When plants die, the carbon moves into the soil. Mature forests and their undergrowth contain roughly 200 metric tons of carbon per hectare. But this carbon is unevenly spread across the globe, with less found in temperate climates than in rainforests and the tropics.
 

Carbon (C)

 
 
 
 
 
Young tree Mature tree Dead tree
 
Source : 5ème Gauche for planete-energies.com
 

Plants and soil play a vital role in capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2See Carbon Dioxid ) found in the atmosphere. By acting as natural "carbon sinks", they greatly reduce the build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere and thereby limit global warmingGlobal warming, also called planetary warming or climate change... . This remarkable ability is the result of photosynthesisProcess used by plants to fuel their growth. Light energy from the Sun is utilized to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates... , a process by which the green parts of plants use sunlight to transform water from the soil and CO2 from the air into carbohydrates and oxygen. Some of the water is also released into the atmosphere by transpiration, a process common to all plants. When the plant loses its leaves or dies, the carbohydrate residue is transferred to the soil.