3.1.1.4 Water, carbon, climate and life on Earth

Carbon cycle role in supporting life

Fundamental building block of life as it forms carbs, proteins, fats and DNA

Carbon cycle role in food chains

Carbon is fixed into biomass through photosynthesis forming the base of all food chains

Carbon cycle role in soil and productivity

Carbon in soils support soil fertility, microbial activity and agricultural productivity

Water cycle role in organisms

Essential for photosynthesis, nutrient transport and thermoregulation

Water cycle role in ecosystems and climate

Regulates freshwater availability, soil moisture and ecosystem distribution. Controls heat distribution and precipitation

What is the shared role of the carbon and water cycles

Regulate climate to make Earth habitable

Photosynthesis in water x carbon relationship

Water availability required for uptake of carbon

Evapotranspiration in water x carbon relationship

Rising co2 warming influences atmospheric moisture/cloud formation which goes on to decrease forest storage due to thermal stress

Water vapour in water x carbon relationship

Amplfies warming caused by co2

Transfers humans can intervene in

Combustion, photosynthesis, land use change

Human intervention in combustion

Renewable energy reduces rate of carbon transfer to atmosphere. CCS in Boundary Dam is first commercial carbon capture plant

Human intervention in photosynthesis (positive)

Afforestation and reforestation increases carbon uptake

Human intervention in land use change

Sustainable farming practice such as carbon farming increase trasnfer into soil stores

Tropical regional impacts of carbon cycle

Temperatures increase respiration/decomposition which reduce net carbon storage

High latitude regional impacts of carbon cycle

Temperatures melt permafrost to release co2 and reduce albedo

Paris Agreement 2015

Legally binding agreements to limit global warming to well below 2C by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sinks. Countries submits Nationally Determined Contributions every 5 years to promote mitigation and adaption. Effectiveness is limited by voluntary targets and uneven compliance.