Lesson 3.5 - Biological Carbon Flashcards
What % of global carbon storage does soil account for?
20-30%
What is the capacity of soils to store organic carbon determined by?
Climate
Soil Type
Management + Land Use
How does the climate affect soil storage?
Dictates plant growth
Dictates microbial + detritivore activity
Higher rainfall + temps increase potential soil storage + decomposition
How does soil type affect soil storage?
Clay rich soils tend to have higher capacity
Protect carbon from decomposition
How does management + land use affect soil storage?
Disturbance + cultivation alter storage capacity
Soil erosion
How does rising atmospheric CO2 have indirect impacts on the carbon cycle?
Affects veg, litter stores + flows
Sinks may become sources
What is the carbon balance of soils regulated by?
Plant productivity
Microbial activity
Geology
Erosion
Climate
Water movement
What is humus?
Dark organic material formed by decomposing plant+ animal matter
Why is humus important?
60% carbon
Important for sequestration
Water storage
What are the 2 carbon sources within soils?
Organic carbon
Inorganic carbon
What is organic carbon?
Generated through photosynthesis + decomposition
How do carbon sinks become carbon sources?
External influences - Climate etc
Decay within the sink
Carbon released into the atmosphere
Give an example of sink-source conversion
Wetlands + Peatlands
Crucial stores of partially decayed organic material
Climate change + overuse
Net carbon sources
