“All of the other living organisms on Earth…that’s the energy source for all of the other living organisms. Other organisms eat that biomass for food,” said Michaletz.
Another key reason is that plants, and photosynthesis, in particular, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, he noted.
“It’s actually the largest, single component in the Earth’s carbon budget. Because carbon dioxide is driving global warming, if we start to see increased loss of leaves or plants, that could have really big effects on how much carbon dioxide plants are basically inhaling from the air,” said Michaletz.
Leaky plants. (Paul H. Joseph/University of British Columba/Submitted to The Weather Network)
The result is a “feedback” that can amplify climate change, causing faster rates of global warming, Michaletz added.
“I personally think these are some of the most important issues that humans will be facing over the next few hundred years. [So], over the next few 100 years, I think these are going to be some of the most important questions we have to deal with,” said Michaletz.