The latest concern among environmentalists is the ozone layer. This is what causes damage to the earth’s flora and fauna. Recently, an article in the Nature magazine talks about how the ozone layer can damage plant growth and prevents plants from absorbing more carbon dioxide(CO2).
What is this Ozone layer?
According to an encyclopedic definition of the Ozone layer, it is a thin film hanging over the earth’s surface. This particular layer of atmosphere is relatively rich in Ozone gas (O3). The gas is present in the lower part of the stratosphere.
How is it affecting plant growth?
Decades back, this presence of this layer was not much of a concern. However, recently it seems like the O3 layer has doubled since 19th century. The cause is human activity. The gases released by the vehicles increase the ozone layers thus puncturing holes in it. This in turn increases the global warming.
The O3 is a secondary air pollutant. The layer reduces the CO2 presence in the earth’s atmosphere. Once the CO2 level goes down, it gets harder for the plants to survive. Stephen Stich, of the British Met office agreed recently:
As CO2 (carbon dioxide) increases in the atmosphere, that stimulates plant growth
The researchers also concluded that the presence of CO2 affects plant growth:
This could lead to significant reductions in regional plant production and crop yields
However, CO2 does have it’s negative effects. The carbon dioxide gas has been blamed for environmental pollution and global warming. I think it’s kind of a catch 22. You need CO2 for the plant growth. At the same time, CO2 is pretty harmful to the environment.
It is imperative that we check the ever growing harmful layer next to the earth’s surface. Scientists and environmentalists need to make sure that the level of O3 is checked in the tropospheric layer of earth’s atmosphere. That is if we want the plants to keep growing in future.
Image Credits:
istockphoto, Environment
Source Link: Reuters