Carbon Cycle

Compounds that comprise living tissues are made of C atoms arranged in chains or rings and associated with many other elements. Carbon is fixed through photosynthesis from carbon dioxide in the air and is a part of the carbohydrates that store energy in the plant. The cycle of C on earth is the story of life on this planet.

RELATED LINK: Exploring Earth. Observe an animation showing evidence of the C cycle.

Soil organic matter contains 3-4 times as much C as is found in all the world's living vegetation. Hence, soil organic matter plays an important role in the global C balance that is thought to be the major factor affecting the greenhouse effect and climate change. The basic pathways involved in the global C cycle are shown in the below figure: