40
2 Basic Ecology
Fig. 2.6 The carbon cycle, Source: Science Kids (n.d.)
release carbon into the lithosphere or atmosphere. Regarding the hydrosphere, the
upper ocean layers hold a large quantity of dissolved organic carbon, whereas the
lower ocean waters have vast amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon.
Furthermore, the soil holds carbon within the lithosphere as both organic and
inorganic carbon. Soil respiration can make the carbon leave and carry it into oceans
or rivers where it gets into the hydrosphere. In the Earth’s crust, a large quantity
of carbon is stored within kerogens and limestone (Prentice et al. 2001). Organics
consist of compressed living matter. Such forms of carbon are quite stable and could
remain within the lithosphere for numerous years. Furthermore, reservoirs can be
categorized as carbon sinks or sources.
Today, humans have a significant effect on the carbon cycle. Human activities
have led to the elimination of carbon by directly adding it into the atmosphere.
The major human impacts on the carbon cycle are the combustion of fossil
fuels, land-cover change, and land use (Prentice et al. 2001). Ideally, land use
changes, particularly deforestation affects the carbon cycle in two significant ways:
elimination of plants and replacement of the built environment, thus leading to a
reduction in the carbon store. Built environments are aspects of the surroundings that
humans build. It includes the buildings and urban spaces, such as infrastructure and
parks, that support human activity. In addition, the built environment incorporates
all building forms as well as civil engineering infrastructure.
2 Basic Ecology
Fig. 2.6 The carbon cycle, Source: Science Kids (n.d.)
release carbon into the lithosphere or atmosphere. Regarding the hydrosphere, the
upper ocean layers hold a large quantity of dissolved organic carbon, whereas the
lower ocean waters have vast amounts of dissolved inorganic carbon.
Furthermore, the soil holds carbon within the lithosphere as both organic and
inorganic carbon. Soil respiration can make the carbon leave and carry it into oceans
or rivers where it gets into the hydrosphere. In the Earth’s crust, a large quantity
of carbon is stored within kerogens and limestone (Prentice et al. 2001). Organics
consist of compressed living matter. Such forms of carbon are quite stable and could
remain within the lithosphere for numerous years. Furthermore, reservoirs can be
categorized as carbon sinks or sources.
Today, humans have a significant effect on the carbon cycle. Human activities
have led to the elimination of carbon by directly adding it into the atmosphere.
The major human impacts on the carbon cycle are the combustion of fossil
fuels, land-cover change, and land use (Prentice et al. 2001). Ideally, land use
changes, particularly deforestation affects the carbon cycle in two significant ways:
elimination of plants and replacement of the built environment, thus leading to a
reduction in the carbon store. Built environments are aspects of the surroundings that
humans build. It includes the buildings and urban spaces, such as infrastructure and
parks, that support human activity. In addition, the built environment incorporates
all building forms as well as civil engineering infrastructure.