2: The Importance of Plants
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Recognize the vital roles plants play in ecosystems, agriculture, and human society.
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Investigate how plants impact food production and climate regulation.
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Examine the historical and modern significance of plant-based industries.
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Discuss plant adaptations that contribute to environmental resilience.
Plants are essential to human life. This chapter explores how agriculture began, how crops were domesticated, and how plants have shaped human societies. From food and medicine to clothing, shelter, and culture, plants provide the foundation of our daily lives. The chapter highlights the role of women in early farming, the global origins of major crops, and the diversity of edible plant parts we consume. It also explains how how ancient seedless plants contributed to modern energy sources.