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Photosynthesis is always an extremely lopsided exchange of internal water (inside a leaf) for external CO2 (in the atmosphere). Anytime a plant opens its stomata (located on the underside of leaves) to import sufficient carbon for its photosynthesis, it loses large amounts of water. For example, transpiration efficiency (biomass produced per unit of water used) of wheat (whole plant) is 5.6–7.5 grams per kilogram, and this translates to about 240–330 kilograms of water per kilogram of harvested grain.[65]
How the World Really Works
Vaclav Smil
The last supervolcano eruption on Earth was at Toba, in northern Sumatra, seventy-four thousand years ago. No one knows quite how big it was other than that it was a whopper. Greenland ice cores show that the Toba blast was followed by at least six years of “volcanic winter” and goodness knows how many poor growing seasons after that. The event, it is thought, may have carried humans right to the brink
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Bill Bryson
Commitment and dedication to your sport cannot be accomplished without careful planning. I want to assist you in getting even more from your body. The successful road to training and racing is relatively simple. It includes having a clear strategy with short- and long-term goals, monitoring progress to assure your plan is working and to prevent overtraining, and, of course, proper nutrition. This book gives you a fresh look at successful endurance training and competition. My system offers a truly “individualized” approach, which I have continually updated and refined over three decades of training and treating athletes, who range from world champions to weekend warriors. My general philosophy regarding endurance contains four key points: 1. Build a great aerobic base. This essential physical and metabolic foundation helps accomplish several important tasks: it prevents injury and maintains a balanced physical body; it increases fat burning for improved stamina, weight loss, and sustained energy; and it improves overall health in the immune and hormonal systems, the intestines and liver, and throughout the body. 2. Eat well. Specific foods influence the developing aerobic system, especially the foods consumed in the course of a typical day. Overall, diet can significantly influence your body’s physical, chemical, and mental state of fitness and health. 3. Reduce stress. Training and competition, combined with other lifestyle factors, can be stressful and adversely affect performance, cause injuries, and even lead to poor nutrition because they can disrupt the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients. 4. Improve brain function. The brain and entire nervous system control virtually all athletic activity, and a healthier brain produces a better athlete. Improved brain function occurs from eating well, controlling stress, and through sensory stimulation, which includes proper training and optimal breathing.
The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing
Philip Maffetone and Mark Allen
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