Question

Post a paragraph that addresses the following: What are three ways in which humans affect the carbon cycle? Explain.

What are the biological impacts of these actions? Explain.How do you think human interference in the carbon cycle affects biodiversity? Explain your rationale.

What can we do to minimize our impact? Explain.

Answer 1

Humans are affecting carbon cycle by

In the carbon cycle about 26% of our biological wilderness areas are left. Most of the rest around 40% are instead converted to agriculture and a significant part of what’s left after those two is now desertified so badly it no longer has much life there at all. Because of the way most the World does agriculture, the net primary productivity of the biosphere has been dramatically reduced. This same effect is also seen even in the oceans as many fisheries are in or near collapse due to a combination of pollution and over fishing.

The deep carbon cycle is also effected by humans with the use of fossil fuels and the mining and use of sedimentary rock like limestone for use in cement.

So the current carbon cycle is significantly out of balance.

The biological impacts include

Greenhouse effect: Carbon dioxide is one of the of heat-trapping gases, including methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor. In balanced proportions, these gases act as blanket that keeps the earth surface warm. But at elevated levels, especially of carbon dioxide, it over trapped in the atmosphere, becomes a thick blanket, trapping radiation and heat energy from the sun. It overheats the earth as less heat energy escapes into space. This effect of elevated carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere affects the environment by melting ice caps, thereby increasing ocean water levels resulting in the loss of coastal wetlands and shore areas too

Acid rain: Elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause it to dissolve in water vapor and form carbonic acid. Which is rained down as acid rain. Acid rain causes some physical damage to plants and pollute both soil and water.

The biodiversity is affected by

The temperature and rainfall pattern changes are going to cause plants to die out.Climate change is expected to reduce biodiversity by accelerating species extinction. It alters habitats, creating conditions in which species can no longer survive in their current location. If they cannot migrate or adapt fast enough, their ability to survive drops.

To minimize the impact we must follow

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning.
• Replace Your Light Bulbs.
• Drive Less and Drive Smart.
• Buy Energy-Efficient Products.
• Use Less Hot Water.
• Use the "Off" Switch.
• Plant a Tree.