6.3B - Maintaining a Balanced Carbon Cycle
Ocean and terrestrial photosynthesis play an important role in regulating the composition of the atmosphere. Soil health is influenced by stored carbon, which is important for ecosystem productivity.
A balanced carbon cycle is the outcome of different components working in a sort of harmony with each other.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis by terrestrial and oceanic organisms plays an essential role in keeping carbon dioxide levels relatively constant and thereby helping to regulate the Earth's mean temperature.
The amount of photosynthesis varies spatially, particularly with net primary productivity (NPP). (This is the amount of organic matter that is available for humans and other animals to harvest or consume). NPP is highest in the warm and wet parts of the world, particularly in the tropical rainforests and in shallow ocean waters. It is least in the tundra and boreal forests.
The amount of photosynthesis varies spatially, particularly with net primary productivity (NPP). (This is the amount of organic matter that is available for humans and other animals to harvest or consume). NPP is highest in the warm and wet parts of the world, particularly in the tropical rainforests and in shallow ocean waters. It is least in the tundra and boreal forests.
Soil Health
Soil health is an important aspect of ecosystems and a key element in the normal functioning of the carbon cycle. Soil health depends on the amount of organic carbon stored in the soil. The storage amount is determined by the balance between the soil's inputs (plant and animals remains, nutrients) and its outputs (decomposition, erosion and uptake by plant and animal growth.)
Carbon is the main component of soil organic matter and helps to give soil its moisture-retention capacity, its structure and fertility. Organic carbon is concentrated in the surface layer of the soil. A healthy soil has a large surface reservoir of available nutrients which, in their turn, condition the productivity of ecosystems. All this explains why even a small amount of surface soil erosion can have such a devastating impact on soil health and fertility.
Carbon is the main component of soil organic matter and helps to give soil its moisture-retention capacity, its structure and fertility. Organic carbon is concentrated in the surface layer of the soil. A healthy soil has a large surface reservoir of available nutrients which, in their turn, condition the productivity of ecosystems. All this explains why even a small amount of surface soil erosion can have such a devastating impact on soil health and fertility.