Notes for C4.2.18 Ecosystems as carbon sinks and carbon sources - IB | RevisionDojo
C4.2.18 Ecosystems as carbon sinks and carbon sources Notes
Ecosystems as Carbon Sinks and Carbon Sources
Ecosystems are open systems where both matter and energy can enter or exit.
Carbon enters primarily as carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and exits through respiration.
The balance between these processes determines whether an ecosystem acts as a carbon sink or source.
Definition
Carbon Sink
An ecosystem that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
Definition
Carbon source
An ecosystem that releases more carbon than it absorbs.
Role of Decomposition in Carbon Cycling
In most ecosystems, saprotrophs break down dead organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere through respiration.
However, certain conditions can inhibit decomposition:
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Questions
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Question 1
Recap question
After a periodic wildfire, an ecosystem typically shifts to a carbon source temporarily. What explains its eventual return to carbon sink status?
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Note
Introduction to Ecosystems as Carbon Sinks and Sources
Ecosystems are open systems where both matter and energy can enter or exit.
Carbon enters primarily as carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and exits through respiration.
The balance between these processes determines whether an ecosystem acts as a carbon sink or source.
DefinitionCarbon SinkAn ecosystem that absorbs more carbon than it releases. DefinitionCarbon SourceAn ecosystem that releases more carbon than it absorbs.
AnalogyThink of an ecosystem like a bank account: when you deposit more money than you withdraw, your balance grows (like a carbon sink). When you withdraw more than you deposit, your balance decreases (like a carbon source).
