Plants Are Struggling to Keep Up with Rising Carbon Dioxide Concentrations

Plants use carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis, releasing oxygen. Increased CO2 levels have led to more plant growth, but this won't last as CO2 is a greenhouse gas warming the planet. Currently, land and oceans absorb 55% of human-released CO2, with the rest remaining in the atmosphere. As the climate warms, plants absorb less CO2 due to factors like water scarcity in the Arctic and low soil nutrients in tropical areas. Additionally, plants are becoming less efficient at using CO2. NASA is researching plant CO2 absorption to understand future climate impacts.

What is the primary process through which plants release oxygen?

• Respiration

• Fermentation

• Photosynthesis

• Transpiration

What percentage of human-released carbon dioxide is absorbed by land and oceans?

• 25%

• 70%

• 40%

• 55%

Which region is experiencing water scarcity that limits plant growth?

• Arctic region

• Tropical latitudes

• Deserts

• Temperate zones

What is one of the limiting factors for plant growth in tropical latitudes?

• Excessive rainfall

• Low soil nutrients

• Strong winds

• High temperatures

What is NASA using to study plant efficiency in absorbing carbon dioxide?

• Satellites

• Ground-based sensors

• Weather balloons

• Drones