As an expert in the field of environmental science, I can provide you with an informed answer regarding the oxygen production by trees. It is important to note that the exact percentage of oxygen produced by trees is a complex question because it involves various factors such as the type of tree, its size, the ecosystem it is part of, and the overall health of the forest.

However, it is widely accepted that photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen, is a significant contributor to the oxygen in our atmosphere. While it's often stated that "rainforests produce 20% of the world's oxygen," this figure is not entirely accurate. The actual contribution of rainforests to the global oxygen supply is much less, as they also consume a significant amount of oxygen through respiration.

Moreover, not all the oxygen we breathe comes from trees; other plants, algae, and photosynthesizing microorganisms also contribute to oxygen production. It's also worth mentioning that a significant portion of the oxygen in the atmosphere actually comes from phytoplankton in the oceans.

In summary, while trees do play a crucial role in oxygen production, attributing a specific percentage to their contribution is not straightforward and requires a nuanced understanding of global ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.

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Explain to students that rainforests are responsible for roughly one-third (28%) of the Earth's oxygen but most (70%) of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by marine plants. The remaining 2 percent of Earth's oxygen comes from other sources.read more >>