Economic Importance of Angiosperms — Reading Comprehension

Angiosperms, or flowering plants, are the most diverse and widespread group of plants on Earth. They provide many of the foods humans depend on daily, including fruits, grains, and vegetables, as well as resources like fibers, oils, and medicines. Beyond their beauty, angiosperms play an essential role in maintaining ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and driving human economies. Without them, both natural environments and human societies would look very different.

One of the biggest roles angiosperms play is at the base of nearly all terrestrial food webs. This means that they are the primary producers, turning sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. Herbivores, like deer or insects, eat these plants, and then carnivores eat the herbivores. Without angiosperms, these food chains would collapse, impacting countless species, including humans. Think about it: our livestock, like cows and chickens, eat angiosperms, and then we eat the livestock. Even the oxygen we breathe largely comes from these incredible plants!

Beyond food, angiosperms provide an enormous range of resources for humans. For instance, many of our medicines come from plants. From aspirin, originally derived from willow bark, to life-saving drugs like paclitaxel from the Pacific yew tree, angiosperms offer vital compounds. They also give us materials for clothing; cotton, for example, is a plant fiber. Wood for construction, furniture, and paper comes from trees, many of which are angiosperms.

Angiosperms also perform critical ecosystem services. These are the benefits that nature provides to us for free. Trees, a type of angiosperm, help clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Their roots prevent soil erosion, and forests create habitats for a vast array of wildlife. Many flowering plants rely on pollinators like bees and butterflies to reproduce, and these pollinators are also essential for many of our food crops.

In summary, angiosperms are not just a part of our world; they are the foundation of it. From the food on our plates and the clothes on our backs to the air we breathe and the medicines that heal us, their economic importance and ecological roles are truly immense. Protecting these plants is crucial for our future.

Interesting Fact: The smallest known angiosperm is Wolfia, which is about the size of a grain of rice and floats on water.

What are angiosperms?

What do angiosperms produce through photosynthesis?

How do angiosperms contribute to food chains?

How do trees help clean the air?

What happens if food chains collapse?

Why are pollinators important for angiosperms?

Which of these is NOT an angiosperm resource?

Based on the passage, is it true that angiosperms are the only type of plant on Earth?

Which term describes benefits nature gives for free?

If a new drug was discovered from a plant, it would be an example of angiosperms providing: