They are called the lungs of the planet. Why are plants green? Where do bright colors come from in plants?

Instructions

Trees and other plant species found in forests form organic matter through the process of photosynthesis. For this purpose, plants use carbon absorbed from the atmosphere. After processing carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees, and oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Carbon bound during photosynthesis is used to build plant organisms and is also returned to environment together with dying parts - branches, foliage and bark.

Throughout its life, a plant uses a certain amount of carbon, commensurate with the amount of oxygen released into the atmosphere. In other words, how many carbon molecules are absorbed by an adult plant, the planet receives the same amount of oxygen. Some of the carbon bound by trees goes into other parts of the forest ecosystem - into the soil, fallen leaves and needles, dried branches and rhizomes.

When a tree dies, the reverse process begins: decomposing wood takes oxygen from the atmosphere, releasing carbon dioxide back. The same phenomena are observed during forest fires or when burning wood as fuel. It is for this reason that it is so important to protect green spaces from premature death and from the destructive effects of fire.

Role forest ecosystems in the life of the planet is determined by the rate of accumulation. If this the process is underway at a fast pace, oxygen accumulates in the atmosphere and the amount of carbon dioxide decreases. If the balance shifts to reverse side, the “green lungs of the planet” perform their function of saturating the atmosphere with oxygen worse.

It would be a mistake to believe that only young forests, where trees grow intensively and absorb carbon dioxide, serve as a source of oxygen on the planet. Of course, any ecosystem at some point reaches a period of maturity when it creates a balance between the interconnected processes of absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. But even a very mature forest, where the percentage of old trees is high, continues its invisible work of providing the atmosphere with oxygen, although not so intensely.

Living trees are the main, but far from the only component of the forest ecosystem where it can accumulate. For oxygen production processes, the soil with its organic matter, as well as forest floor, which is formed from parts of dying plants. Such a variety of components of the ecological system allows us to maintain a stable balance in the metabolic processes occurring in the “green lungs”, which are so necessary for maintaining life on the planet.

Everyone knows that forests are the lungs of the planet. Trees growing in forests, and any other green plants, create organic matter through the process of photosynthesis, using carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, which they absorb from the atmosphere. Oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Many sources claim that the “lungs of the planet” are the equatorial rainforests of Brazil. But when comparing some indicators, the question involuntarily arises: Does this popular opinion correspond to the truth? In my article I made several comparisons with Russian forests. So what can be called the “lungs” of our planet?

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"LIGHT PLANETS" - BRAZIL OR RUSSIA.

Litvak Nadezhda Anikievna

Geography teacher, Municipal Educational Institution Secondary School No. 5

[email protected]

Everyone knows that forests are the lungs of the planet. Trees growing in forests, and any other green plants, create organic matter through the process of photosynthesis, using carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, which they absorb from the atmosphere. Oxygen is released back into the atmosphere.

Many sources claim that the “lungs of the planet” are the equatorial rainforests of Brazil. Let's make some comparisons with Russian forests.

First, let's compare the total forest area. Brazil's forests cover an area of ​​480 million hectares, while Russia's forests have a total area of ​​766.0 million hectares. Thus, comparing the area of ​​forests, the score is in favor of Russia.

Secondly, let’s compare the volumes of deforestation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, deforestation has increased by 8.5 percent in the past decade compared to the 1990s. The most high rates Deforestation has been observed in Asia at 1.2% per year since 1990, followed by Latin America at 0.8%, and Africa at 0.7%. However, during the same period, the total area of ​​deforested areas per year in Latin America is 7.4 million hectares, in Africa – 4.1, Asia – 3.9. Researchers from the Brazilian Institute Imazon found that in the last five months of 2012, the area of ​​Amazon forests decreased by 1.288 thousand square kilometers. This is 127% more than in 2011. The Amazon Research Institute draws these conclusions based on satellite monitoring of the Amazon forest. In addition, the Brazilian Space Agency, which conducts monthly forest assessments, also confirmed a decrease in forest cover from August to October 2012.

The last forests on planet Earth that can still be called virgin, clean and untouched are boreal forests, all kinds of formations of tree and shrub vegetation growing in cold, moderately cold and temperate climates.

Large tracts of relatively untouched forests remain only in Russia and Canada (1.4 billion hectares).

About a quarter of all forests on the planet are located in Russia. These forests make up about 3 of all forests on the planet, which means that they absorb about 3 of the carbon dioxide that is released into the Earth's atmosphere. Of course, the untouched forests of northern Russia are also in danger of destruction. IN Lately the situation began to change dramatically. But if we take into account the fact that most of these forests are located in Western Siberia Where forest zone is called forest swamp and the wood does not have High Quality And Eastern Siberia in which the lowest population density, for example, the population density in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is 0.31 h/km 2 , Evenki district Krasnoyarsk Territory according to the 2010 census it is 0.04 h/km 2 .

Today, these forests remain virtually untouched, and the main reason for this is that northern regions very low population density.

But what is happening now with tropical forests, cannot be called the words “danger” or “trouble”. This is a catastrophe! The earth has already lost half of its forest. And experts are alarmingly predicting that the remaining half could disappear within the next fifty years. Whereas just 50 years ago tropical forests made up 15% of the Earth's surface, today that number is only

6%. It is not difficult to imagine what this percentage will be in 10 years at the current rate of deforestation of rain forests.

It is a proven fact that if deforestation continues at this rate, by 2020 we will lose as much as 90% of all tropical forests. Every day, 200,000 acres of these precious oxygen generators, our planet's natural filter, are destroyed.

10 “record holders” for annual net forest loss from 2000 to 2010: 1 – Brazil, 2 – Australia, 3 – Indonesia, 4 – Nigeria, 5 – Tanzania, 6 – Zimbabwe, 7 – DRC, 8 – Myanmar, 9 – Bolivia, 10 – Venezuela.

Thus, the score in this “confrontation” becomes 2:0 in favor of the Russian Federation.

You can compare such an indicator as the number of roads. In the forested areas of Siberia there are practically no railways and modern highways, car roads connect internal areas and do not go to the Trans-Siberian Railway and other transit highways. In Brazil, the Trans-Amazonian Highway is the largest transport route, the length of which is 5.5 thousand kilometers; economic development and settlement of land was carried out at a distance of 20 kilometers along the highway.

The cheapest “roads” for transporting timber are rivers, but in Siberia, unlike Brazil, rivers are covered with ice for 6-7 months of the year, and in this case this gives another point to Russia, and the score becomes 3:0.

Well, the last comparison - if in this case we are talking about forests as the lungs of the planet, then we will talk not only about the amount of oxygen produced, the area of ​​forests and the volume of their deforestation, but also about the ability of forests to purify the air from emissions from industrial enterprises and transport. In this case, the determining factor becomes geographical position countries and the atmospheric circulation system. Russia and Brazil are located at different latitudes, the main air flows in Brazil are the trade winds that come to the territory of Brazil from the tropical latitudes of Africa, through Atlantic Ocean. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

• Africa is the most backward region modern world, in which the share of manufacturing and transport is minimal, and accordingly the amount of emissions into the atmosphere is small.
• The main producers of oxygen live in the ocean. Microscopic ocean algae are actively involved in "oxygen charity." These creatures are so small that it is almost impossible to see them with the naked eye. However, their total very large, the number goes into millions of billions. The entire world's phytoplankton produces 10 times more oxygen than it needs to breathe. Enough to provide useful gas and all other inhabitants of the waters, and a lot gets into the atmosphere. So, the ocean supplies the atmosphere with about 40 percent of the oxygen that phytoplankton produced.

Thus, if we take into account the circulation of the atmosphere, the air that comes to the Amazon is not so dirty and at the same time enriched with oxygen.

Let's consider the situation in Russia, being in temperate latitudes, Russia is influenced by westerly winds, which bring air from Europe - one of the most developed regions of the world. High population density, high level of urbanization of countries, a dense network of roads and industrial enterprises - all this leads to high level air pollution. And all this “air” is moving into the territory of our country. It is the forests of Russia, especially Siberia and Far East, begin to work “lungs”. Thus, if we talk about forests as “the lungs of the planet,” then Russian forests are the clear favorite. Many environmentalists agree with this. “Russia, which has large forested areas where carbon dioxide is converted into plant fiber carbon and free oxygen, should have preferential quotas to reduce CO2 emissions.”

“It seems appropriate that countries that produce oxygen receive payment for it and use these funds to maintain forests.”

It is noted that the UN is considering proposals from “low-forest” countries (Germany, etc.) to preserve and increase Russian forests in the interests of the entire planet. And regarding tropical forests, a similar agreement was adopted in the early 90s. Developed Nordic countries pledged to pay developing African countries a bonus of $10 for every ton of carbon dioxide converted into oxygen. And such payments began in 1996. “It is estimated that one hectare of forest absorbs about 8 liters of carbon dioxide per hour (the same volume is released when two hundred people breathe in the same time)”

Scientists estimate that 0.6 percent of forest area disappears from the face of the earth every year.

“We stand for the implementation of the Program to ensure the conservation of total area forests, preventing forest degradation and deforestation (ZNDD) by 2020, which reflects the scale and need to combat threats to the world's forests and climate. Achieving the goals of this program will help stop the depletion biological diversity in forests and the decline in forests' ability to provide ecosystem services and associated emissions greenhouse gases(PG)". “We recognize that achieving the goals of the ZNDD is not an easy task and requires great political will and attention, especially if the goal is to achieve these goals in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner that respects the interests of forest-dependent communities. forest resources. In addition, environmentally and socially sound strategies for implementing such a program will need to be developed at national and local levels.”

Abramson N.G., Bernstein L.G. Global ecological problems thermal power engineering and cement production // Ecology and industry of Russia. – 2005. – July. – pp. 29-31.

Garin V.M., Klenova I.A., Kolesnikov V.I. Ecology for technical universities. – Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2001. – 384 p.

Kreinin E.V. Greenhouse effect: reasons, forecasts, recommendations // Ecology and industry of Russia. – 2005. – July. – P. 18-23.

Http://www.rgo.ru/2010/07/zemelnye-resursy-rossii-–-struktura-i-mirovoe-znachenie/ Official website of the All-Russian public organization Russian Geographical Society. Economics and ecology

Ria.ru/ based on materials from RIAN NEWS.

Encyclopedia of Forestry.

http://www.prinas.org/node/389/ Natural heritage.

http://www.gks.ru/ Federal State Statistics Service.

From the World Fund report wildlife(WWF) "Living Forests".

http://www.latindex.ru/content/articles/4623/

From the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report “Living Forests.”

Yes, I definitely remember from school that forests are the lungs of the planet. There were such posters. They constantly said that the forest must be protected, because it produces the oxygen that we breathe. Where are we without oxygen? Nowhere. That is why forests are compared to the lungs of our planet Earth.

And what? Isn't that right?

Yes, not like that. The functions of forests are more reminiscent of the work of the liver and kidneys. Forests provide as much oxygen as they consume. But they cope with the task of cleaning the air and protecting the soil from erosion like no one else.

So what can we call " lungs of the planet"?

In fact, oxygen is produced not only by those plants that grow in the forest. All plant organisms, including inhabitants of reservoirs, and inhabitants of steppes and deserts, constantly produce oxygen. Plants, unlike animals, fungi and other living organisms, can synthesize organic substances themselves, using light energy for this. This process is called photosynthesis. As a result of photosynthesis, oxygen is released. It is a by-product of photosynthesis. A lot of oxygen is released, in fact, 99% of the oxygen that is present in the Earth’s atmosphere plant origin. And only 1% comes from the mantle, the underlying layer of the Earth.

Of course, trees produce oxygen, but no one thinks about the fact that they also waste it. And not only them, all other inhabitants of the forest cannot be without oxygen. First of all, plants respire on their own, this happens in the dark when photosynthesis does not occur. And we need to somehow dispose of the reserves organic matter, which they created during the day. That is, feed yourself. And in order to eat you need to spend oxygen. Another thing is that plants spend much less oxygen than they produce. And this is ten times less. However, we should not forget that in the forest there are still animals, as well as mushrooms, as well as various bacteria that do not produce oxygen themselves, but nevertheless breathe it. A significant amount of oxygen that the forest produced during daylight hours will be used by living organisms of the forest to support life. However, something will remain. And this is something like 60% of what the forest produces. This oxygen enters the atmosphere, but does not remain there for very long. Then the forest itself removes oxygen, again for its own needs. Namely, the decomposition of the remains of dead organisms. Ultimately, to dispose of their own waste forests often spend 1.5 times more oxygen than they produce. After this, it cannot be called the oxygen factory of the planet. True, there are forest communities that operate on a zero oxygen balance. These are the famous rainforests.

The tropical forest is generally a unique ecosystem; it is very stable, because the consumption of substances is equal to production. But again, there was no surplus left. So even tropical forests can hardly be called oxygen factories.

So why then, after the city, does it seem to us that the forest is clean, Fresh air that there is a lot of oxygen there? The thing is that oxygen production is a very fast process, but consumption is a very slow process.

So what then are the oxygen factories of the planet? There are actually two ecosystems. Among the “land” ones are peat bogs. As we know, in a swamp the process of decomposition of dead matter is very, very slow, as a result of which dead parts of plants fall down, accumulate, and peat deposits are formed. Peat does not decompose, it is compressed and remains in the form of a huge organic brick. That is, during peat formation, a lot of oxygen is not wasted. Thus, swamp vegetation produces oxygen, but consumes very little oxygen itself. As a result, it is the swamps that provide exactly the increase that remains in the atmosphere. However, there are not so many real peat bogs on land, and of course it is almost impossible for them alone to maintain the oxygen balance in the atmosphere. And here another ecosystem helps, called the world ocean.

There are no trees in the world's oceans; grasses in the form of algae are observed only near the coast. However, vegetation still exists in the ocean. And most of it consists of microscopic photosynthetic algae, which scientists call phytoplankton. These algae are so small that it is often impossible to see each of them with the naked eye. But the accumulation of them is visible to everyone. When bright red or bright green spots are visible on the sea. This is phytoplankton.

Each of these little algae produces enormous amounts of oxygen. It consumes very little itself. Due to the fact that they rapidly divide, the amount of oxygen they produce increases. One phytoplankton community produces 100 times more per day than a forest occupying the same volume. But at the same time they spend very little oxygen. Because when algae die, they immediately fall to the bottom, where they are immediately eaten. After that, those who ate them are eaten by other, third organisms. And so few remains reach the bottom that they quickly decompose. There is simply no decomposition that lasts as long as in the forest, in the ocean. There, recycling occurs very quickly, as a result of which oxygen is virtually not wasted. And so the “big profit” occurs, and so it remains in the atmosphere.

sources

“Planets of the solar system” - Venus. Venus is the third brightest object in the Earth's sky after the Sun and Moon. Take care of our planet!!! Plan. The second planet of the solar system. Earth. Over time, water and an atmosphere appeared on planet Earth, but one thing was missing - life. Is born new star– our SUN. Saturn is the second largest planet in solar system after Jupiter.

“Lesson of the Planets of the Solar System” - Cultivate camaraderie, the ability to work in a group. Lesson information card. Physical education minute. Earth. Mars. PhotoForum. The role of the Sun for life on Earth. Star or planet. Lesson plan. Complete the tasks: Complete the test. Develop cognitive processes, computer literacy skills. Planets of the Solar System.

“Minor Planets” - Figure of Venus. Surface of the Moon. The distance from Venus to Earth varies from 38 to 258 million km. There is every reason to believe that there is a lot of water on Mars. Atmosphere and water on Mars. The volume of Mercury is 17.8 times less than that of the Earth. Composition and internal structure Mars. Physical fields Moons. The density at the center of the Earth is about 12.5 g/cm3.

“Planets in the Solar System” - Astronomical models of Ptolemy and Copernicus. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. The planet that was discovered “at the tip of a pen.” Neptune has magnetic field. Sun. Uranus has 18 satellites discovered. Mars. Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. A planet where life exists. Uranus. Neptune. The sun is a hot ball - the most nearby star to Earth.

“Ecology of the Planet” - Formalization of ecology into an independent branch of knowledge. Stages of interaction between human society and nature. Abiotic factors aquatic environment. Biological capacity of the environment. Age structure. Categories of living matter in the biosphere. Abiotic factors terrestrial environment. Systemic laws of ecology. Laws of ecology B. Commoner.

“Planets and their satellites” - The inner 10 moons are small in size. A huge number of craters have been discovered on the surface of Titania. Iapetus. Quite rightly, Pluto is called a double planet. The Eratosthenes crater with a diameter of 61 km was formed relatively recently. Therefore, the Moon either has no or very little iron core. From one upper climax to the next, 130 hours pass - more than five days.

I think each of us has heard the expression: “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Indeed, this is so, but unfortunately these very “vital organs of the Earth” have been cut down at an unrealistic rate over the past 30 years. The statistics are as follows: every 2 seconds, on planet Earth, a part of the forest the size of a football field is cut down. Due to this, some species of animals and plants are disappearing.
The world-famous organization "Greenpeace" claims that by 2050, the extinction of animals and plants will be 1000 times faster than now.
It will be a pity to part with such beauty...

I think each of us has heard the expression: “Forests are the lungs of our planet.” Indeed, this is so, but unfortunately these very “vital organs of the Earth” have been cut down at an unrealistic rate over the past 30 years.

“The lungs of our planet” are located in the Amazon. The Amazon rainforest is the most powerful producer of oxygen on Earth. The Amazon covers approximately 7,000,000 square kilometers in 9 countries - Brazil (60%), Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
The Amazon represents more than half of the remaining tropical forests in the world, and they grow around the large river in the world of the same name, which makes the entire Amazon region a unique center of the planet. At the same time as all this, the biodiversity of this area is amazing, although most of the Amazon has not even been studied yet.

Both flora and fauna surprise with their richness. Imagine that more than a MILLION of the most beautiful animals live here. different types plants and animals.

According to scientists, on the 10th square meters The tropical forest contains one and a half thousand species of flowers, 750 species of trees, 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and countless insects.

On the picture: Red-green macaw

San Rafael Falls is the largest waterfall in Ecuador. The Salado River plunges into the gorge in two steps from a height of 150 meters and 100 meters, creating a stunningly beautiful view.

On the Tambolpata River, in the Peruvian Amazon, a group of children were playing soccer on a tiny sand island in the middle of the river.

Three-toed sloth. Locals believe that a pregnant woman should not look at him, otherwise her child will look like him.

Yacumana and Chullachaqui are two demons from local legends. Yakumana is a water demon, and Chullachuki can transform the facial expressions of any person. Look at his legs, this is how you can identify him - he always has one big leg.

The Amazon rainforest, also known as the Amazon, is one of the most valuable natural resources. Because its vegetation continuously converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, it has been called "The Lungs of Our Planet." About 20 percent of the Earth's oxygen is produced by the Amazon rainforest.