Biosphere Carbon Cycle

A Worldwide Science and Education Program Carbon Cycle Introduction

Carbon Cycle Introduction

Read the module content and take the test that follows to
earn the GLOBE Biosphere: Carbon Cycle certificate.
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Overview
Introduction

Overview
A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives

C. What is the
This module…
Biosphere?
• teaches why carbon is an important
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle? element in ecosystems and how it cycles
E. Why Collect through ecosystems.
Carbon Cycle
Data? • demonstrates how carbon is stored in and
F. Introductory
Activities
transferred between the biosphere,
G. Quiz
geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Yourself
• explains how humans have disrupted the
H. Additional
Information natural carbon cycle, including rates of
transfer between spheres.
• explains how increases in atmospheric CO2
impact climate.
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Learning
Introduction Objectives

Learning Objectives
A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives

C. What is the
Biosphere?
After completing this module, you will be able to:
D. What is the • diagram the major pools and fluxes of the carbon
Carbon Cycle?
cycle at a global scale.
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?
• provide examples of the role of humans in the
F. Introductory global carbon cycle.
Activities
• explain how carbon is stored in and passed between
G. Quiz
Yourself living & non-living things in terrestrial ecosystems.
H. Additional
Information • describe two ways in which environmental
conditions impact carbon flows through ecosystems.

Estimated time to complete module: 2 hours

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Biosphere?

The Biosphere
A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives
The Biosphere is comprised of all living things on Earth. GLOBE
C. What is the
Biosphere? has several ways to explore and measure components of the
D. What is the biosphere through investigations about one of the most
Carbon Cycle?
fundamental elements for life on Earth – carbon.  Carbon also
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle plays a critical role in regulating the Earth's climate system. 
Data?
Through the burning of fossil fuels and land use change,
F. Introductory
Activities humans have disrupted the carbon cycle and are now the
G. Quiz dominant cause of global climate change.
Yourself
The GLOBE Carbon Cycle Project consists of four major
H. Additional categories: 
Information
(1) Introductory Learning Activities
(2) Classroom experiments (Plant-A-Plant)
(3) Field Measurements (Protocols)
(4) Modeling
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives
Carbon: A building block of
C. What is the
life
Biosphere?

D. What is the
• The most abundant element in living
Carbon Cycle? things
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle • Accounts for 45-50% of the total mass
Data?
of the biosphere  
F. Introductory
Activities • Also present in the Earth’s atmosphere,
G. Quiz
Yourself
soil, oceans, and crust 
H. Additional
Information
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

What is the Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives

C. What is the The global carbon cycle characterizes the movement

Biosphere?
of carbon between Earth’s spheres. It is a key
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle? regulator of Earth’s climate system and is central to
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
ecosystem function. Rising CO 2 is the dominant
Data?
contributor to climate change.  Understanding how
F. Introductory
Activities ecosystems cycle and store carbon is key to
G. Quiz understanding solutions to climate change.
Yourself

H. Additional
Information
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

The Carbon Cycle

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives

C. What is the
Biosphere? Carbon
D. What is the Pools:
Carbon Cycle? A place where
E. Why Collect carbon resides,
Carbon Cycle measured in
Data?
Petagrams (Pg)
F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Carbon
Yourself Fluxes:
H. Additional Movement of
Information carbon between
pools, measured
in
Petagrams/year
(Pg/year)
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
How does the biosphere affect
B. Learning
Objectives atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)
C. What is the concentrations?
Biosphere?

D. What is the Photosynthesis

Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
CO2 + H2O  C6H12O6 + O2
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information
Biosphere Atmosphere

Respiration
C6H12O6 + O2  CO2 + H2O
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives
Monthly records of
C. What is the
atmospheric CO2 have been collected at
Biosphere?
Mauna Loa, Hawaii since 1958.
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect red – monthly CO2

Carbon Cycle
Data? showing seasonal cycle
F. Introductory
Activities black – long-term
G. Quiz trend, adjusted for
Yourself
seasonal cycle
H. Additional
Information

Image: ersl.noaa.gov
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
A closer look at several years of CO 2
Objectives

C. What is the
concentrations reveals a zig-zag
Biosphere?
pattern, a seasonal cycle. 
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Image: ersl.noaa.gov
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

The “rising arm” of the zig-zag

A. Overview
coincides with periods
B. Learning
Objectives when respiration exceeds
C. What is the
Biosphere?
photosynthesis, in other words, the
D. What is the biosphere is releasing more CO2 to
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
the atmosphere than it is absorbing.
Carbon Cycle Respiration May
Data? C6H12O6 + O2 CO2 +
F. Introductory H2O
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information
September

Image: ersl.noaa.gov
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction
The “falling arm” of the zig-zag
Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
coincides with periods
B. Learning
Objectives when photosynthesis exceeds
C. What is the
Biosphere?
respiration, in other words, the
D. What is the biosphere is taking up more CO2 from
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
the atmosphere than it is releasing.
Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis May
Data? CO2 + H2O  C6H12O6 +
F. Introductory O2
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself
September
H. Additional
Information

Image: ersl.noaa.gov
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
The long-term trend shows an increase
B. Learning
Objectives in CO2 of 1-3 parts per million per year
C. What is the
Biosphere?
since 1958. 
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities n d
g tre
G. Quiz
as in
Yourself
cre
in
H. Additional
Information

Image: ersl.noaa.gov
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
Increases in atmospheric CO2 are
B. Learning
Objectives primarily from the burning of fossil
C. What is the fuels.
Biosphere?

D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Image: La Quere et al. 2016, Figure 3

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives
Fossil fuels come from organic
C. What is the
material that was buried and
Biosphere?
deposited millions of years ago.
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Link to video if it does not play in PowerPoint:

http://earththeoperatorsmanual.com/feature-video/earth-the-operators-manual
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

Ice cores trap ancient

A. Overview

B. Learning

atmosphere in tiny bubbles.

Objectives

C. What is the
Biosphere?

D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Image: Bernhard Bereiter

Image: Niels Bohr Institute

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview

B. Learning
From ice cores, we know atmospheric
Objectives CO2 is higher today than it has been
C. What is the
Biosphere? in the past 800,000 years.
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Image: Jeremy Shakun/Harvard University

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse
B. Learning
Objectives gas. It traps heat in the
C. What is the
Biosphere? atmosphere and warms the
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?
Earth.
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Image: NASA
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
Increases in atmospheric CO2 have
B. Learning
Objectives contributed to a rise in Earth’s
C. What is the
Biosphere?
temperature.
1 The term
D. What is the
Annual mean
Carbon Cycle? temperature
5-year mean
Temperature Anomaly (C)

0.75 anomaly
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle means a departure
Data? 0.5 from a reference
F. Introductory value or long-term
Activities 0.25 average, in this case
G. Quiz 1951-1980. A
Yourself 0
positive
H. Additional anomaly
Information -0.25
indicates that the
Data: NASA/GISS observed
-0.5
1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 temperature
Year was warmer than
the reference value.
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle What
Is the
Introduction Carbon Cycle?

A. Overview
Increases in atmospheric CO2 have
B. Learning
Objectives contributed to a rise in Earth’s
C. What is the temperature.
Biosphere?

D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Movie: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Why
Collect Carbon
Introduction Cycle data?

A. Overview

B. Learning Why Collect Carbon Cycle

Data?
Objectives

C. What is the
Biosphere?
The carbon cycle is no longer in balance due to human
activities, specifically burning fossil fuels and land use
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?
change. CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere are over 40%
higher than the natural range over the past 800,000 years.
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Why
Collect Carbon
Introduction Cycle data?

A. Overview

B. Learning Why Collect Carbon Cycle

Data?
Objectives

C. What is the The last time in Earth’s history CO levels were this high was over
2
Biosphere?
3 million years ago, during the mid-Pliocene Warm Period. The increase
D. What is the in atmospheric CO2 occurred over thousands of years. Sea level was
Carbon Cycle?
5-20 m higher, global air temperatures were 4oC warmer, and global
E. Why Collect sea surface temperatures were 2oC warmer. Today, we are increasing
Carbon Cycle
Data? atmospheric CO2 at a rate faster than we’ve ever seen in the geologic
record.
F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Why
Collect Carbon
Introduction Cycle data?

A. Overview

B. Learning Why Collect Carbon Cycle

Data?
Objectives

C. What is the Scientists collect carbon cycle data to understand how

Biosphere?
terrestrial ecosystems will respond to warmer temperatures
D. What is the and higher CO2.  Carbon cycle data collected with GLOBE
Carbon Cycle?
will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
between carbon storage in plants and surface climate.  
Data?

F. Introductory
Activities

G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional
Information

Photo: Czech Republic Carbon Cycle Team

Photo: GLOBE UCAR Team

 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Why
Collect Carbon
Introduction Cycle data?

A. Overview

B. Learning Your measurements can

help scientists! They can:
Objectives

C. What is the
Biosphere?

D. What is the 1. help local scientists see how changes

Carbon Cycle?
in the landscape are affecting carbon
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
Data?
storage in their region.
F. Introductory
Activities
2. help scientists improve on the ground
G. Quiz estimates of current carbon storage.
Yourself

H. Additional 3. be used as a validation method for

Information
satellite estimates of carbon storage.
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Introductory Activities
C. What is the
Biosphere? The GLOBE Carbon Cycle materials include learning
D. What is the
activities that introduce students to systems thinking,
Carbon Cycle? carbon, and the carbon cycle.
E. Why Collect If these concepts are new to your students, they are
Carbon Cycle
Data? highly recommended prior to conducting field protocols
F. Introductory or modeling activities. The activities include:
Activities
1. Paperclip Simulation: introduction to systems thinking and
G. Quiz using the '1-box model'
Yourself

H. Additional
2. Carbon Cycle Adventure Story: follow a carbon atom
Information through the carbon cycle
3. Carbon Travels Game: follow a carbon atom as it travels
through the Earth's carbon pools 
4. Getting To Know Global Carbon: learn the basics of the
carbon cycle through diagrams
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Introductory Activities
C. What is the
Biosphere? Paperclip Simulation - Introduction to Systems
D. What is the Thinking
Carbon Cycle?
(60 minutes + 30 math extension).
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle Student Outcomes:
Data?
• Simulate a basic system
F. Introductory
Activities • Collect, record, and analyze data
• Create a 1-box model to learn modeling and system terms
G. Quiz
Yourself • Manipulate variables to obtain an expected outcome
H. Additional Materials:
Information
• Simulation materials: paperclips, bell, signs, and roles
• Class Data Table (paper OR .xls) and Projector AND/OR Whiteboard/large
paper with markers
• Student Worksheets & Paper Clip Simulation Data Table
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives What is a System?
C. What is the
Biosphere? Definition: A collection of interconnected parts
D. What is the that function as a complex whole, through
Carbon Cycle? which matter cycles and energy flows.
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle Why does GLOBE use a ‘systems thinking’
Data?
approach to understand the Carbon Cycle?
F. Introductory
Activities
1. Systems are an important unifying concept
G. Quiz across the K-12 curriculum.
Yourself
2. The actual carbon cycle is extremely
H. Additional complicated. Simplifying it as a system that
Information
focuses on the most important elements can help
us understand why the atmosphere is changing
and what it might look like in the future.
**Use the Frayer Model template to
help students define the word ‘system’
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning Modeling Systems with the

Objectives

C. What is the 1-Box Model

The 1-box model represents an individual component of a system.  It
Biosphere?
introduces concepts like inputs, outputs and residence time and shows
D. What is the how these can produce particular patterns of change over time.
Carbon Cycle?
In the GLOBE Carbon Cycle Learning Activities, students use the 1-box
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
model to diagram and manipulate movement of matter through
Data? systems.

F. Introductory
Activities Input Flux
G. Quiz (per unit time)
Yourself

H. Additional
Pool
Information
Output Flux
(per unit time)

*A pool can also be referred to as a stock or

reservoir, a flux can also be referred to as a flow.
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning Modeling Systems with the

Objectives

C. What is the 1-Box Model

The 1-box model can be used to represent
Biosphere?

D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?
many different systems.  
In the paperclip factory simulation to understand the components of a
E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle system:
Data?
Production
F. Introductory Store
Activities
Inventory Purchases
G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional Or to model parts of the Global Carbon Cycle:

Information

Photosynthesis
Plant Pool
Respiration
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Putting many '1-Box Models' together makes a
Objectives box and arrow model that shows how individual
C. What is the components of an entire system are connected.
Biosphere?
Putting together many boxes (pools) and arrows (fluxes) allows
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle? you to model the movement of matter through more complex
E. Why Collect systems. For example, the model below shows the movement of
Carbon Cycle
Data? carbon through the Atmosphere, Soil and Plant Pools of the
F. Introductory
Carbon Cycle: Atmosphere
Activities
Pool
G. Quiz
Yourself Soil Respiration
Plant Respiration
H. Additional
Information
Photosynthesis

Litterfall
Soil Pool Plant Pool
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Introductory Activities
C. What is the
Biosphere? Carbon Cycle Adventure Story – Follow a
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?
carbon atom through the carbon cycle in a self-
E. Why Collect guided adventure story (60-90 minutes).
Carbon Cycle
Data? Student Outcomes:
F. Introductory • List major pools and fluxes of the carbon cycle
Activities
• Diagram the carbon cycle using box and arrow models
G. Quiz • Describe what components of the carbon cycle make it a system  
Yourself
Materials:
H. Additional
Information • Carbon Cycle Adventure Story booklets (one per student or pair)
• Carbon Story Journey Table (one per student or pair)
• White board, chalk board, large paper, or overhead projector &
markers/chalk
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Introductory Activities
C. What is the
Biosphere? Carbon Travels Game – roll the dice to determine
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?
the fate of a carbon atom as it travels through
E. Why Collect
Earth’s carbon pools (60-120 min)
Carbon Cycle Student Outcomes:
Data?
• Research a specific carbon pool and present to peers
F. Introductory
Activities • List all major pools and fluxes in global carbon cycle

G. Quiz
• Define residence time
Yourself • Compare and contrast the carbon cycle pre- and post-1700
H. Additional Materials:
Information
• Resources about carbon cycle
• Large sheets of paper
• Carbon Cycle Station Instructions and Signs
• Journey Table (1 per student)
• 1 six-sided die per student or station
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Introductory
Activities
Introduction

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Introductory Activities
C. What is the
Biosphere? Getting to Know Global Carbon
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle?

E. Why Collect
Carbon Cycle
– learn the basics of the carbon
Data?
cycle through diagrams (70-100
F. Introductory
Activities min)
G. Quiz
Student Outcomes:
Yourself
• Create diagrams of complex systems
Materials:
H. Additional
Information • Conceptualize 1 Pg of carbon
• White board, chalk board, large paper or
• overhead projector
Describe why & markers/chalk
the carbon cycle is not in equilibrium
• Materials for students to draw their own
carbon cycle diagram
• Global Carbon Cycle Diagram – student
copies or projected image
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Quiz
Introduction Yourself

Quiz Questions
A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives Challenge yourself to answer these questions and check whether you have
achieved the learning objectives of this module.
C. What is the
Biosphere?
1. What is the carbon cycle?
D. What is the
Carbon Cycle? 2. What is the difference between pools and fluxes?
E. Why Collect 3. What are the major pools of carbon in the Earth System? Which contain
Carbon Cycle
Data?
the most carbon? The least?

F. Introductory
4. Why is studying the carbon cycle important?
Activities
5. When atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase, what
G. Quiz happens to Earth’s temperature?
Yourself
6. Does photosynthesis add or remove carbon from the atmosphere? Does
H. Additional
Information
respiration add or remove carbon from the atmosphere?
7. What process has caused the most recent (past 150 years) increase in
atmospheric carbon dioxide?
8. What activity could you use to introduce students to systems thinking?
9. What is a system?
 Biosphere Carbon Cycle Additional
Introduction Resources

A. Overview

B. Learning
Objectives NASA’s A Breathing Planet, Off Balance Article and Video:
C. What is the https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/carbon-climate
Biosphere?

D. What is the
Carbon Cycle? NASA Global Climate Change Website:
E. Why Collect https://climate.nasa.gov/
Carbon Cycle
Data?

F. Introductory NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Activities
(https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov)
G. Quiz
Yourself

H. Additional Global Carbon Project

Information
(http://www.globalcarbonproject.org)

Global Carbon Atlas

(http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org)