All articles tagged with #primary production
A new study shows baleen whales significantly boost ocean primary productivity by excreting nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which enhances the growth of phytoplankton and benefits the entire marine food web, with potential implications for climate regulation.
A recent study aimed to estimate the total amount of life that has ever existed on Earth. By analyzing ancient sedimentary rocks and compiling previous estimates of ancient primary production, researchers estimated that 100 quintillion tons of carbon has been through primary production since the origin of life. They also found that land plants have likely contributed the most to Earth’s historical primary production. The study projected that about 10^40 cells will ever occupy the Earth, but the Earth's biosphere is limited by the sun's life cycle, which will eventually lead to a largely lifeless planet. The research also aims to use Earth as a benchmark to compare other planets and explore different trajectories that could have produced a radically different amount of life on Earth.
A recent study published in Current Biology estimates that 100 quintillion tons of carbon has been produced through primary production since the origin of life on Earth, with land plants likely contributing the most. The study also estimates that between 10^39 and 10^40 cells have ever existed on Earth, and projects that about 10^40 cells will occupy the Earth over its entire habitable lifetime. The research provides insight into Earth's geologic history and its potential as a benchmark for comparing other planets, while also raising questions about the impact of different evolutionary trajectories on the amount of life that could have existed on Earth.