CARBON CYCLE

Actually I've always believed that carbon, which can also exists as carbon dioxide is bad for the environment. Yes, its true but after my self-learning through ecology(P.S I did this during the hols), the carbon cycle is THE ROOT TO ALL LIFE. This simple cycle ensures that carbon dioxide in the air is always kept constant, not too much, nor too little. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. The carbon dioxide is turned into complex materials such as sugars, amino acids and stores energy. When the plant is eaten by the autotrophs on the next tropic level, the energy stored in the carbon is passed on to it. The autotrophs releases carbon back to the atmosphere when they are respiring. The feces and animal waste also contains the ingested carbon. Decomposer such as fungi and bacteria feed on them. When the bacteria and fungi respires, carbon dioxide is again released into the atmosphere. When organisms die, decomposition occurs and the same process goes on. By chance, the dead organisms can become fossil fuels or coals. They store tremendous amounts of carbon energy and it is released via combustion. Large amounts of carbon dioxide are released back into the atmosphere. Luckily, the plants take in more carbon dioxide compared to its intake of oxygen and this prevents the level of carbon from getting to high. THE 3 PROCESS THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR RELEASE OF CARBON IS RESPIRATION, COMBUSTION and DECOMPOSITION. The carbon cycle is important as it transfers energy from one organisms to another as energy are locked up in the carbon. It also ensures that there is enough carbon dioxide in the air for the plants to photosynthesis and ensures that ecosystem, food chain and webs are disrupted. YAY! So next time you are respiring, remember that U are part of the cycle TOO!