Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation - HS - BIOLOGY - Matter and Energy

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6 Nsɛmmisa

Hyɛ no nsow a efi ɔkyerɛwfo no hɔ:

Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.

Akwankyerɛ

Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.

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DOK.SCI.2

HS-LS2-5

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DOK.SCI.1

HS-LS2-5

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DOK.SCI.2

HS-LS2-3

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DOK.SCI.2

HS-LS1-5

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DOK.SCI.2

HS-LS2-5

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DOK.SCI.3

HS-LS2-5

Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation

Tropical forests store enormous amounts of carbon in trees, understory vegetation, and soils. When these forests are cleared or burned, carbon that has been stored for decades or centuries is rapidly released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). This process changes the balance of carbon among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

In intact tropical forests, photosynthesis draws $CO_2$ from the atmosphere and stores it in plant biomass. Tropical trees in particular accumulate large amounts of carbon because they grow rapidly and live for long periods. They also contribute organic matter to the soil through leaf litter and root turnover, increasing long-term soil carbon storage. These processes keep carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the biosphere in a relatively stable pattern.

When deforestation occurs, this balance is disrupted. Trees are cut or burned, instantly transferring carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere. Burning releases $CO_2$ directly, while the decomposition of leftover vegetation continues to emit carbon for years. Soil carbon also declines as soils are disturbed, eroded, or exposed to oxygen, accelerating microbial breakdown of organic matter. Once carbon leaves the soil, it can be transported by runoff into rivers, eventually reaching the hydrosphere as dissolved or particulate organic carbon.

Deforestation affects the geosphere as well. Forest soils often contain deep layers of organic-rich material, which decompose more rapidly when exposed to warm temperatures and oxygen. Without trees to stabilize the soil, erosion rates increase, sending carbon-rich sediments into waterways and reducing long-term carbon storage in the geosphere.

Mathematical data show measurable changes: atmospheric $CO_2$ increases steadily as forest cover declines, and soil carbon pools shrink as land is cleared. At the same time, carbon entering rivers and oceans increases due to enhanced runoff. These patterns demonstrate the interconnectedness of Earth's reservoirs and reveal how carbon moves among them in quantifiable ways.

Diagram 1.

null Source:

https://www.cgdev.org/publication/ft/why-forests-why-now-preview-science-economics-politics-tropical-forests-climate-change

Diagram 2.

null Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2021.645282/full

Table 1.

Reservoir	Carbon Before Deforestation	Carbon After Deforestation
Forest Biomass	180	60
Soil Carbon	95	70
Atmospheric CO2	400	460

Graph of Information - Figure 1.

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Table 2.

Year	Forest Cover million/ha	CO Emissions Mt per year
2000	550	280
2005	520	310
2010	495	340
2015	470	370
2020	445	405

Graph of Information - Figure 2.

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Using Table 1 and Figure 1, describe how carbon distribution among the biosphere and atmosphere changes after deforestation.

DOK.SCI.2

HS-LS2-5

Ɛhia

According to Table 1, which carbon reservoir increases after deforestation?

Forest Biomass

Soil Carbon

Atmospheric CO$_2$

All reservoirs decrease

DOK.SCI.1

HS-LS2-5

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Using Diagram 2 and the reading, explain how biomass burning and decomposition contribute to carbon movement from the biosphere into the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

DOK.SCI.2

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Based on Table 2 (page 4), in which year are CO$_2$ emissions the highest?

2000

2005

2010

2020

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Using Table 2 and Figure 2, describe the mathematical relationship between forest cover loss and CO$_2$ emissions from 2000 to 2020.

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Use mathematical representations to explain how tropical deforestation alters carbon cycling among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:

DOK.SCI.3

HS-LS2-5

Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation

Diagram 1.

null Source:

https://www.cgdev.org/publication/ft/why-forests-why-now-preview-science-economics-politics-tropical-forests-climate-change

Diagram 2.

null Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/forests-and-global-change/articles/10.3389/ffgc.2021.645282/full

Table 1.

Reservoir	Carbon Before Deforestation	Carbon After Deforestation
Forest Biomass	180	60
Soil Carbon	95	70
Atmospheric CO2	400	460

Graph of Information - Figure 1.

null

Table 2.

Year	Forest Cover million/ha	CO Emissions Mt per year
2000	550	280
2005	520	310
2010	495	340
2015	470	370
2020	445	405

Graph of Information - Figure 2.

null

Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation - HS - BIOLOGY - Matter and Energy

Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation

Using Table 1 and Figure 1, describe how carbon distribution among the biosphere and atmosphere changes after deforestation.

According to Table 1, which carbon reservoir increases after deforestation?

Using Diagram 2 and the reading, explain how biomass burning and decomposition contribute to carbon movement from the biosphere into the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Based on Table 2 (page 4), in which year are CO$_2$ emissions the highest?

Using Table 2 and Figure 2, describe the mathematical relationship between forest cover loss and CO$_2$ emissions from 2000 to 2020.

Use mathematical representations to explain how tropical deforestation alters carbon cycling among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.Claim:Evidence:Reasoning:

Carbon Cycling Impacts of Tropical Deforestation

Using Table 1 and Figure 1, describe how carbon distribution among the biosphere and atmosphere changes after deforestation.

According to Table 1, which carbon reservoir increases after deforestation?

Using Diagram 2 and the reading, explain how biomass burning and decomposition contribute to carbon movement from the biosphere into the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

Based on Table 2 (page 4), in which year are CO$_2$ emissions the highest?

Using Table 2 and Figure 2, describe the mathematical relationship between forest cover loss and CO$_2$ emissions from 2000 to 2020.

Use mathematical representations to explain how tropical deforestation alters carbon cycling among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.Claim:Evidence:Reasoning:

Use mathematical representations to explain how tropical deforestation alters carbon cycling among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:

Use mathematical representations to explain how tropical deforestation alters carbon cycling among the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: