Versatility of Plants

Plants are the most versatile organic material on earth. Without plants life on earth would have evolved in a whole new direction or not at all. When you look out the window, stand in your year, or talk a walk in a forest just think about the versatility of all the plants you see around you.

The Versatility of Plants

These are some of the uses of plants today:

1. Plants provide us with food to eat - vegetables and fruits. Plants also provide food for most animals and many fish that we eat. So with out plants we would not have vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish to eat.
2. Plants make the oxygen that humans, animals, and some fish breathe. Through the process of photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is converted into oxygen, we would not survive. Makes you wonder what will happen to mankind when all the trees are cut down and the carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere can no longer be converted to oxygen. Global warming anyone?
3. Plants provide habitats for animals. These plants provide food, shelter, and safety for these animals. As global warming continues to increase the minor affects are are animals begin to lose their habitat. A major affect is that rain fall patterns are affected all around the earth as tropical rain forests disappear.
4. Plants decompose as they die and fertilize the soil to keep the soil rich in nutrients. Without plants the soil will be eroded away by weathering creating loss of habitat for animals and the ability to grow food for humans.
5. Plants filter out some of the harmful materials that enter the ground, water, and air. For example the household corn plant is known for its ability to filter toxins from the air we breathe. Wetlands provide a habitat for animals, fish, and birds; they also filter some pollutants that enter the water.
6. Plants provide many of the materials we use today such as wood for shelter, furniture, and medicines. Many of the fuels we use today are derived from plants that covered the earth millions of years ago such as coal and oil.
7. Plants provide the beauty of the scenery in which we began this journey. Trees, shrubs, and flowers make the view of the outside world much nicer.

The Life of Plants

1. Plants grow and die.
2. Plants need energy, nutrients, air, and water.
3. Plants produce their own young.
4. Plants are made up of cells.
5. Plants react to the environment in which they live.

Why We Need Plants

We need plants to survive!

Additional Resources

Greenhouse Effect

Life Cycle of Plants

Buying Green Furniture

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