Do you know why banyan trees release carbon dioxide at night?
Understanding the Process of Respiration and CAM Photosynthesis
The nighttime release of carbon dioxide by banyan trees: why?
Some of the biggest and most recognizable trees in the world are banyan trees. They are renowned for their capacity to endure in a range of hostile settings. However, did you know that at night, banyan trees release carbon dioxide?
Breathing
Every living creature breathes, allowing oxygen to enter their bodies and carbon dioxide to exit. This is an ongoing, life-sustaining process that occurs constantly—even while we sleep.
Plants photosynthesize during the day with the help of sunshine. Through this process, carbon dioxide and water are changed into sugar and oxygen. The plant releases oxygen into the atmosphere and uses the sugar it produces as fuel.
Plants are unable to photosynthesize at night because there is not enough sunlight. This implies that they are dependent on breathing in order to obtain the necessary energy. Plants release carbon dioxide as a result at night.
Photosynthesis by CAM
Certain plants—banyan trees included—possess a unique form of photosynthesis known as crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Plants are able to absorb carbon dioxide at night and store it in their leaves thanks to CAM photosynthesis. The plant photosynthesizes during the day using the carbon dioxide it has stored.
Plants have evolved CAM photosynthesis as a means of survival in arid conditions. Additionally, it enables plants to retain water during the hot, dry days of the sun.
*Why is it not advisable to spend the night beneath a banyan tree?*
It is not a good idea to sleep beneath banyan trees at night because they release carbon dioxide. In addition to making breathing more difficult, the elevated carbon dioxide content in the air may cause other health issues.
To sum up
The remarkable plants known as banyan trees have evolved to thrive in a wide range of conditions. Even though they release carbon dioxide at night, they are crucial to the ecosystem. Many animals find food and shelter under banyan trees, which also contribute to air and water purification.
