When plants die, the carbon present in their tissues undergoes decomposition. Decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down the organic matter and release carbon dioxide (CO2) back into the atmosphere through a process called respiration. This CO2 is then available for uptake by other living organisms, like other plants, during photosynthesis.
However, under certain conditions, when dead plant material is not effectively decomposed, it can become buried in sediments, such as those found in wetlands or peat bogs. Over time, this accumulated organic matter undergoes compaction and chemical transformation, eventually becoming fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. These fossil fuels store carbon that was originally extracted from the atmosphere by plants millions of years ago.
what happens to carbon in plants when the plants die
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