Question

1. Concentrations of atmospheric CO₂ remained stable until the industrial revolution in the late 1800s. Industrial activity adds CO₂ to the atmosphere, but land use (whether land is used for agriculture, open space, or towns/cities) has also contributed to Earth’s rising CO₂ concentration.
   1. How has the change in land use affected the balance of photosynthesis and respiration? How could we change land use to stabilize or reverse this trend? (50 + word response)

Answer 1

Forest, grassland and cropland control the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis which contributes to the equilibrium of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. So if forests are cut down to make them to another land, carbon dioxide management will be affected, it reduces the ability of plants and soil to take up carbon dioxide. Even if forests are for agriculture then also the carbon dioxide balance is affected because the small crop plants cannot reduce that much amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as a forest does.

So for a going back, we need to promote forestation. Forests are the lungs of our atmosphere.

hope you understood my answer. Please rate it to show some love!