Final answer:
Carbon dioxide is significant for maintaining the ecosystem's health due to its role in photosynthesis, climate regulation, and pH balance maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is significant to maintaining the health of an ecosystem for several reasons:
- Role in photosynthesis: Plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis to manufacture glucose and oxygen. This process is essential for the growth and survival of plants, which are the primary producers in an ecosystem.
- Regulates climate: CO2 is a greenhouse gas that helps regulate the Earth's climate by trapping heat from the Sun. It maintains the average temperature necessary for the survival of different organisms in an ecosystem.
- Maintains pH balance: Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which helps maintain the pH balance of water bodies. This pH balance is crucial for the survival of aquatic organisms.
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