Final answer:
Plants and algae add oxygen to the atmosphere and remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, helping to regulate climate and support aerobic life. They also contribute to ecosystem services like soil quality, water purification, and the nitrogen cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plants and algae play a vital role in maintaining the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, they effectively add oxygen to the air and remove carbon dioxide, which helps to regulate the Earth's climate and supports the life of aerobically respirating organisms.
During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose, a type of sugar, and release oxygen as a byproduct. This can be summarized by the photosynthetic equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Not only does this process provide oxygen that is crucial for the survival of many organisms, but it also reduces the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, mitigating the greenhouse effect and combating global warming.
Additionally, plants are fundamental for other ecosystem services such as preventing soil erosion, improving soil quality, purifying water, and supporting the nitrogen cycle through the action of bacteria. Insects and birds also contribute by pollinating plants, essential for the reproduction of many plant species and the production of crops.