Which process is vital for the growth and reproduction of renewable resources such as plants?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process is integral to the growth and reproduction of plants, which are key renewable resources. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil, using sunlight as the energy source to produce glucose and oxygen. The glucose serves as energy for growth, development, and reproduction, enabling plants to thrive and sustain themselves.

While other processes like decomposition, pollination, and transpiration play important roles in the ecosystem and the life cycle of plants, they do not directly contribute to the primary mechanism by which plants harness energy necessary for their growth and reproductive strategies. Decomposition involves breaking down dead organic matter, pollination is crucial for fertilization and seed production, and transpiration controls water movement; however, it is photosynthesis that forms the fundamental basis of energy capture essential for plant life.