What is the carbon cycle and its importance in ecosystems?

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth.

The carbon cycle is a complex series of processes through which all of the carbon atoms in existence rotate. The same carbon atoms in your body today have been used in countless other molecules since time began. The wood of a tree or a piece of coal all contain carbon that was once part of an earlier life form. This is the essence of the carbon cycle.

Carbon is an essential element for life on Earth and it is also a major component of many biological compounds. It is also a significant component of many minerals. Carbon circulates through the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and crust in what is known as the carbon cycle. The cycle is usually thought to begin with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Plants and other photosynthetic organisms take CO2 out of the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter. This is known as carbon fixation.

The carbon in their tissues is then passed on to animals that eat them. Both plants and animals eventually die, and their bodies, wastes, and byproducts are broken down by microbes, a process known as decomposition. This returns carbon in the form of CO2 to the atmosphere and completes the cycle. Some carbon, instead of being returned to the atmosphere, is stored in the ground as fossil fuels.

The carbon cycle is of such importance to the functioning of the earth because it is tied to the availability of other elements and compounds necessary for life. For example, photosynthesis, the process by which plants grow, cannot occur without carbon dioxide. Similarly, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, meaning that its presence in the atmosphere affects the Earth's climate. Therefore, understanding the carbon cycle is key to understanding global climate change.