Terrestrial And Biological Processes

Question 1

What’s the role of terrestrial primary producers in the carbon cycle?

Answer 1

Plants on land sequester the suns energy to change CO2 and water into carbs through photosynthesis, which allows the plants to grow. Primary producers absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
They also respire, and some water/CO2 is returned to the atmosphere.77

Question 2

What are the roles of terrestrial consumers in the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

Animals are known as consumers, because they use oxygen produced by plants during aerobic respiration and eat plant carbohydrates. As part of this process they return CO2 to the atmosphere.
Respiration = glucose + oxygen = CO2 + water + energy.
Herbivorous animals also emit methane as a byproduct.
Energy is passed from 1 consumer to another through food chains.

Question 3

What is the role of soil processes in the carbon cycle?

Answer 3

Decomposition of plant litter
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Soil biota digest dead plant material and release nutrients (some CO2 released to atmosphere)
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Bio-carbon storage - humus in soil
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Higher humus content = more carbon stored
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Bio-carbon storage - fixed organic matter in soil
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Some carbon is transported by leaching, through flow and groundwater flow.