Question

Outline salient features of carbon cycling in an ecosystem.

Answer 1

Outline salient features of carbon cycling in an ecosystem:

1. The Reserviors of carbon are: air (as Carbon dioxide), Water ( as dissolved carbon), earth crust and ocean ( as bicarbonates) and fossil fuels.

2. Carbon dioxide is used by green plants for the process of photosynthesis and oxygen is released as a by-product. The fixed carbon enters the food chain and passed to herbivores, carnivores, decomposers. About 4 X 1013 kg of carbon is fixed in biosphere through photosynthesis annually

3. Carbon dioxide production and return to atmosphere

i. carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere by respiration of producers and consumers

ii. It is also released by decomposition of organic wastes and dead bodies by decomposers by action of bacteria and fungi decay

iii. Burning of wood and fossil fuels also produces C02

iv. Volcanic eruptions and hot springs also release C02 into the atmosphere

v. Weathering of carbohydrates-containing rocks by action of acids also add C02 into the atmosphere.