What greenhouse gas do trees effectively remove from the atmosphere?

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into organic matter, which is used to build their structure and is stored in their biomass. This process not only reduces the concentration of carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, but also contributes to the overall health of ecosystems by supporting biodiversity and improving air quality.

While ozone, methane, and nitrous oxide are also important greenhouse gases in environmental discussions, trees do not remove these gases effectively. Ozone occurs both in the upper atmosphere and at ground level and is not directly absorbed by trees; rather, it can be a harmful pollutant. Methane, though a potent greenhouse gas, is not utilized by trees in their physiological processes. Similarly, nitrous oxide, which often comes from agricultural sources, is not absorbed by trees. Therefore, the primary greenhouse gas that trees effectively remove from the atmosphere is carbon dioxide, making it the correct choice in this context.