carbon cycle

• physical factors influencing the carbon cycle in the arctic


  • low temperatures
  • lack of liquid water
  • poor conditions for photosynthesis and plant growth due to lack of nutrients in crystalline rock
  • creates a slow carbon cycle
• flows and stores of carbon in the arctic


  • short summer with lots of sunlight leads to raid plant growth, yet NPP remains low
  • biomass carbon store approx 429 tonnes per hectare
• how does seasonal change in the arctic influence the carbon cycle


  • in a short growth period, carbon is transferred from plants into soil
  • microorganisms are more active in summer to break down litter and release carbon dioxide
  • flooding when permafrost thaws, lack of decomposition and respiration leads to limited carbon release
• how is the arctic a carbon sink


  • permafrost is full of dead organic matter
  • low temperatures
  • slow decomposition means carbon is not released
• how is the arctic a carbon source


  • increasing greenhouse gases means increased temperatures
  • increased temperatures leads to thawing permafrost
  • frozen organic matter thaws
  • decomposition of organic matter leads to increased release of carbon dioxide and methane