9.6 Ecological services - carbon fixation, pollination and oxygen release

The environment around us provides several services for the benefit of mankind. Some important ecological services are CO, fixation, release of oxygen, and pollination.

Fixation of Carbon dioxide:

Carbon assimilation is the principal service provided by the environment which supports life of all living organisms.

During the process, abiotic ecological factors sunlight, water and C0₂ are used from the vicinity of green plants.

These factors often become limiting factors for C0₂ fixation and determine the rate of photosynthesis in the given vegetation.

Release of Oxygen:

Oxygen is released as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Thus photosynthesis purifies the air. It takes part in ozone layer formation also, that protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays.

Pollination:

Environmental abiotic factor wind is an agent for pollination in many plants, especially monocots that are important crop plants. (Water is an agent for aquatic plants.)

There are many insects, (like moths, beetles, butterflies, bees, etc.) and birds (like sun birds, humming birds, bulbul, etc.) which are pollinators.

After pollination only, there is fertilization and formation of seeds and fruits.