WCC: Water, Carbon and Climate - The Role of Water and Carbon Cycles in Supporting Life on Earth Flashcards
The key role of the carbon and water stores and cycles in supporting life on Earth with particular reference to climate.
How of the water on Earth supports all life on land?
Less than 1%
How does carbon support animal life?
It provides energy for breathing, growing and reproducing
How much of the human body is made up of carbon?
18%
What is carbon stored as in the human body?
Glucose
How does carbon support plant life?
It provides energy through photosynthesis
How much of a tree’s biomass is carbon?
50%
What 3 ways does water support life on Earth?
Drinking
Irrigation
Source of power and energy
How does water and carbon in the atmosphere support life on Earth?
CO2 and water vapour are important greenhouse gases that absorb long-wave radiation emitted from the Earth, providing sufficient atmospheric warmth for life to survive.