Encyclopedia of Plant Science

Approximately 350 000 different species of plants exist in the world today. Life on earth depends on plants, since they produce the oxygen and food we need to exist, along with fibres for clothing or paper, wood for building, and chemical compounds for medicines. By studying the anatomy and physiology of plants, we can gain a deeper understanding of the relationships within an ecosystem, between plants, animals, and humans. Studying the growth and development of plants can give insights into environmental changes and the impact of human development.And since plants are so essential to human survival, scientists study how they can best develop plant species that will provide food for those in drought-stricken areas, create alternative fuels to replace the dependence on fossil fuels, or find new medicines to find diseases.