4.0 Importance of Plants
2026-05-13 17:56
Status: #new
Importance of Plants
Human Resources
Food Source
- 1 in 7 Canadian jobs are agricultural related
- Indigenous Communities grow the "three sisters"
- Corn creates a stalk for the beans, while beans get nitrate in, and squash maintains moisture.
- Symbiotic Plant-to-Plant relationship (Companion Planting)
- Corn creates a stalk for the beans, while beans get nitrate in, and squash maintains moisture.
- This is due to the Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen gas gets turned into ammonia by nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil that is then used for plants
Commodity
- Plants are used to make materials such as rope, or linen clothing
Biochemicals
- Plants generate a large variety of molecules, many of which serve as a natural pesticide.
- Some natural chemicals are useful for human applications
- Ie. Nunavik Inuit boil Labrador tea flower leaves mixed with oil as a cut ointment. (because of Germacrone in it)
- They wear bone glasses, and prevent blindness though Limonene squeezed from orange peels
Fuel
- Biofuels are a renewable alternative to fossil fuels
- Carbohydrates produced in plants may be converted into alcohol
- Ie. Ethanol (common fuel additive)
- Carbohydrates produced in plants may be converted into alcohol
Erosion Control
- Soil keeps plants in place and plants keep soil in place, meaning that without plants erosion would be a lot worse
Tourism
- Important source of revenue and entertainment