Carbon Stores in Different Biomes

Question 1

Where can carbon be stored in a biome?

Answer 1

Biomass above and below ground.
Dead organic matter on the surface (litter)
Soil

Question 2

How does NPP of a biome affect the amount and location of carbon in the biome carbon pool?

Answer 2

The dry weight of biomass added per year, affects the amount of carbon that can be sequestered by plant photosynthesis.

Question 3

What is a tropical rainforest NPP compared to total carbon in the biome?

Answer 3

2200 NPP, with 550 billion tonnes of carbon.

Question 4

What is a temperate grassland NPP compared to total carbon in the biome?

Answer 4

600 NPP, with only 185 billion tonnes of carbon.

Question 5

How does temperature vary between tropical rainforests and temperate grasslands?

Answer 5

Tropical rainforest has an average temp of 25-30 degrees with minimal variation.
Temperate grassland could be between 40 and -30 with high seasonal variation.

Question 6

How does precipitation vary between tropical rainforests and temperate grasslands?

Answer 6

Tropical rainforest - over 2000mm with no dry season.
Temperate grassland - 500mm or less spread throughout the year.

Question 7

How does climate impact the carbon store in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 7

Year-round plant growth and high levels of biomass means atmospheric carbon sequestration is high all year.
Decomposition is rapid, returning carbon to the soil quickly.
High rainfall leaches the soil, removing carbon.

Question 8

How does climate impact the carbon store in the temperate grasslands?

Answer 8

Atmospheric carbon sequestration varies with seasonal plant growth.
Humid conditions in autumn allow rapid decomposition.
Lower rainfall prevents leaching, allowing a larger carbon soil reservoir.

Question 9

How does deforestation impact carbon stores?

Answer 9

Removes biomass carbon store, and crops replacing trees have less biomass, reducing store size.
Decomposition is reduced.
Regolith exposed to erosion, reducing capacity.
Burning biomass transfers to atmosphere.

Question 10

How does afforestation impact carbon stores?

Answer 10

Increases carbon sequestration and biomass store.
Reduces soil erosion, maintaining the soil pool.

Question 11

How does agricultural activity impact carbon stores?

Answer 11

Clearing areas reduces carbon storage.
Soil degradation from poor practice causes soil erosion.
Harvesting removes biomass store.
Over-irrigation leaches soil, removing carbon.
Fertiliser and manure increase carbon in the soil store.