The carbon cycle's impact on the atmosphere, land and oceans.

Question 1

Why is the carbon cycle so important?

Answer 1

It is fundamental to life on earth and change to the cycle can significantly impact the atmosphere, ocean and land.

Question 2

How does the carbon cycle impact the atmosphere and climate?

Answer 2

The carbon cycle affects the amount of carbon based gases entering the atmosphere (CO2 and methane.) These are otherwise known as greenhouse gases and are important for life by trapping some of the suns energy, keeping some of the heat in the earth.
- However, increased inputs of carbon into the atmosphere has increased the concentration of carbon based gasses in the atmosphere, which is trapping more solar energy in the atmosphere and increasing temperatures - global warming.
- This increased temperature of the earth is disrupting the balance of other subsystems and affecting other aspects of the climate e.g. more tropical storms and wildfires.

Question 3

How does the carbon cycle affect land?

Answer 3

The carbon cycle provides the carbon required for vegetation to respire and grow through photosynthesis, additionally, without decomposition, plants would not recycle their nutrients which reduce their carbon outputs.
- Changes in the carbon cycle can reduce the amount of carbon stored in the land and lithosphere. Rising temperatures are causing permafrost to melt which releases high amounts of methane and carbon into the atmosphere, acting as a negative multiplier as this causes temps to rise and so on. Also increases wildfires, increasing inputs.