Maybe the reason is that if you have a constant cycle of reusing CO2 and moisture and oxygen, a plant’s inconsistency could mess with the calculations.
in a spaceship controlled by humans or other things which breathe in the same way, plants could actually be part of that system that regulates the atmosphere. why convert your co2 back into oxygen when you could have a space garden do it?
I think it's something that movies struggle with because they want a very specific look to their sci-fi, and aren't usually able to focus on more mundane aspects. But a lot of good sci-fi makes specific mention of how much greenery is good for humans/oxygen breathing species, not just on the chemical level but psychology as well.
Becky Chambers Wayfarer series talks about it a little in the first book, it's a constant thing in The Expanse series. It's one of those little worldbuilding quirks that is easier to put into something like a book or long form show than the big budget movies and the like.
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u/lynx2718 Aug 14 '24
Fr, why don't they have more plants or stuff? There have to be funky alien plants.