Question
Describe the carbon cycle in nature. How does deforestation affect this cycle?
✓
Answer
Carbon Cycle : Carbon is the foundation of all life on earth, required to form complex molecules like proteins and DNA. This element is also found in our atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide $\left(\mathrm{CO}_2\right)$. Carbon helps to regulate the earth’s temperature, makes all life possible, is a key ingredient in the food that sustains us, and provides a major source of the energy to fuel our global economy.
The carbon cycle describes the process in which carbon atoms continously travel from the atmosphere to the earth and then back into the atmosphere. Since our planet and its atmosphere form a closed environment, the amount of carbon in this system does not change. Where the carbon is located–in the atmosphere or on earth–is constantly in flux.
On earth, most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is located in the ocean, atmosphere, and in living organisms. These are the reservoirs, or sinks, through which carbon cycles. Carbon is released back into the atmosphere when organisms die, volcaness erupt, fires blaze, fossil fuels are burned and through a variety of other mechanisms.
In the case of the ocean, carbon is continouslly exchanged between the ocean’s surface waters and the atmosphere, or is stored for long periods of time in the ocean depths.
Humans play a major role in the carbon cycle through activities such as the burning of fossil fuels or land development. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rapidly rising; it is already considerably greater than at any time in the last 800,000 years.
Effect of Deforestation on Carbon Cycle : Forests play a huge role in the carbon cycle on our planet. When forests are cut down, not only does carbon absorption cease, but also the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere as $\mathrm{CO}_2$ if the wood is burned or even if it is left to rot after the deforestation process.
The carbon cycle describes the process in which carbon atoms continously travel from the atmosphere to the earth and then back into the atmosphere. Since our planet and its atmosphere form a closed environment, the amount of carbon in this system does not change. Where the carbon is located–in the atmosphere or on earth–is constantly in flux.
On earth, most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments, while the rest is located in the ocean, atmosphere, and in living organisms. These are the reservoirs, or sinks, through which carbon cycles. Carbon is released back into the atmosphere when organisms die, volcaness erupt, fires blaze, fossil fuels are burned and through a variety of other mechanisms.
In the case of the ocean, carbon is continouslly exchanged between the ocean’s surface waters and the atmosphere, or is stored for long periods of time in the ocean depths.
Humans play a major role in the carbon cycle through activities such as the burning of fossil fuels or land development. As a result, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rapidly rising; it is already considerably greater than at any time in the last 800,000 years.
Effect of Deforestation on Carbon Cycle : Forests play a huge role in the carbon cycle on our planet. When forests are cut down, not only does carbon absorption cease, but also the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere as $\mathrm{CO}_2$ if the wood is burned or even if it is left to rot after the deforestation process.
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