Look at this plant. You could say it has some interesting fruit. Some might say the fruit does not even look that tasty. However, this is a cacao tree, and its seeds are the source of chocolate. So, there are some people who would argue that this is one of the most important plants in the whole plant kingdom.

The importance of plants to humans and just about all other life on Earth is staggering. Life as we know it would not be possible without plants. Why are plants so important?

• Plants supply food to nearly all terrestrial organisms, including humans. We eat either plants or other organisms that eat plants.

• Plants maintain the atmosphere. They produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration for all aerobic organisms. It also maintains the ozone layer that helps protect Earth’s life from damaging UV radiation. Removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reduces the greenhouse effect and global warming.

• Plants recycle matter in biogeochemical cycles. For example, through transpiration plants move enormous amounts of water from the soil to the atmosphere. Plants such as peas host bacteria that fix nitrogen. This makes nitrogen available to all plants, which pass it on to consumers.

• Plants provide many products for human use, such as firewood, timber, fibers, medicines, dyes, pesticides, oils, and rubber.

• Plants create habitats for many organisms. A single tree may provide food and shelter to many species of insects, worms, small mammals, birds and reptile 

• More than 100,000 natural compounds come from plants, and most of these have yet to be explored. Some of the most powerful and useful compounds come from plants. Who knew they could help us unlock some of the biology's mysteries - all using an approach of mapping biological pathways. 

Members of the plant kingdom play many crucial and sometimes surprising roles in the drama of life on Earth. You are probably familiar with some reasons plants are important. Why should you understand how plants live? Because plants play many roles, including but certainly not limited to:

1. Supplying Food and energy

2. Maintaining Earth’s Atmosphere

3. Cycling water and Nurturing Soils

4. Contributing to Nitrogen and Other Biogeochemical Cycles

5. Interdependence with animals

6. Interdependence with fungi

7. Interdependence Among Plants

8. Resources for Humans

9. Aesthetics for Humans

10. Scientific Use by Humans

11. Causing Problems

More than 100,000 natural compounds come from plants, and most of these have yet to be explored. Some of the most powerful and useful compounds come from plants. Who knew they could help us unlock some of the biology's mysteries - all using an approach of mapping biological pathways.