8.4: Data Dive- Biome Carbon Storage
- Page ID
- 46703
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Carbon sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is taken up by trees, grasses, and other plants through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (trunks, branches, foliage, and roots). Carbon storage can also occur in soil formed from organic matter found in decomposing litter. Terrestrial carbon sequestration has been a recent topic of interest because of its implications for use in climate change mitigation. The carbon storage in terrestrial biomes helps to offset sources of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, such as deforestation, wildfires, and fossil fuel emissions. As such, carbon storage in each biome can be altered by both natural and human caused events. The figure below indicates the estimated storage above (plants) and below (soil) ground by terrestrial biomes:
Questions
- What kind of graph is this?
- What is the independent (explanatory) variable and the dependent (response) variable?
- Which biome has the greatest storage in plants? What about soil?
- What are the top three terrestrial biomes in terms of their carbon storage?
- How can the results of this graph to inform future conservation efforts?
- What do the results of this graph make you curious about?
Raw Data From Above Graph(s)
Table \(\PageIndex{a}\): Raw data of carbon storage (in metric tons of CO2 per hectare) above (plant) and below (soil) ground in various biomes. Graph by Rachel Schleiger (CC-BY-NC) modified from data in Islam KK, Sato N 2012.
| Biome | Plant Carbon | Soil Carbon | Total Carbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical Forests | 442 | 450 | 892 |
| Temperate Forests | 208 | 352 | 561 |
| Taiga Forests | 236 | 1260 | 1496 |
| Tundra | 23 | 467 | 490 |
| Tropical Savannas | 108 | 430 | 538 |
| Temperate Grasslands | 26 | 865 | 892 |
| Deserts/Semi-Desert Lands | 6 | 154 | 160 |
Attribution
Rachel Schleiger (CC-BY-NC)