1-5: Carbon Cycle, Methane

Updated atmospheric CO2 graphs can be obtained here.

Figure 1 - Area coverage, plant carbon and net primary production for major terrestrial ecosystems. Takle.

Figure 2 - Area coverage, plant carbon and net primary production for major terrestrial ecosystems in 1850 and 1980. Takle.

Figure 3 - Atmospheric CO2 concentration excess as a function of time. Adapted from Houghton, J.T., G.J. Jenkins, J.J. Ephraums, eds, 1990: 1990 Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 364 pp.


Figure 4 - The global distribution of carbon as best known in 2001.


Figure 5 - Atmospheric changes in carbon 14 values derived from tree rings between 1820-1954. Source unknown.

Figure 6 - Annual uptake of Carbon. Adapted and corrected from Sarmiento, J. L., 1993: Ocean and carbon cycle. C & EN, May 31

Figure 7a - Anthropogenic CO2 production rate. Adapted from Houghton, J.T., G.J. Jenkins, J.J. Ephraums, eds, 1990: 1990 Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 364 pp.

Figure 7b - Modification to Anthropogenic CO2 production rate. Adapted from Houghton, J.T., G.J. Jenkins, J.J. Ephraums, eds, 1990: 1990 Intergovernment Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 364 pp.

Figure 8 - Global concentrations of methane in the troposphere. Adapted from Blake and Rowland (1987).

Figure 9 - Methane, CO2 and temperature profiles. Adapted from Woodwell et al, Scientific American, April 1989

Average atmospheric methane concentrations. Adapted from Khalil and Rasmussen, C and E News, 64 (47), 23.

Figure 10 - Estimated sources and sinks of methane. Adapted from the IPCC supplemental Report, 1992.

Figure 11 - Ocean Regulation of Carbon

Figure 12 - Trends in domestic animal population (1890-1985). EPA, 1989: Policy options for stabilizing global climate.


Figure 13 - Estimated sources and sinks of carbon monoxide. EPA, 1989: Policy options for stabilizing global climate.

Related Class Images

Carbon cycle NASA.

Ocean carbon

Ocean movement of carbon

High latitude oceans play a significant role

Feedback processes in the carbon cycle

Global concentration of phytoplankton. NASA.

Net assimilation of carbon by photosynthesis American Scientist July/Aug 1990. Permission granted by Sigma, Xi, The Scientific Research Society.

  • Agriculture and the carbon cycle.

    Atmospheric changes in carbon 14 values derived from tree rings between 1820-1954. Source unknown.

    Changes of carbon 13 in tree rings and of atmospheric CO2 relative to preindustrial conditions (1800-1850). Source unknown.

    Annual uptake of Carbon. Adapted and corrected from Sarmiento, J. L., 1993: Ocean and carbon cycle. C & EN, May 31

  • Conclusions.

    Greenhouse effect. (Used with permission from CALMET '95, CAL Working group of SCHOTI.)

    Net Cumulative change in soil Carbon

    Average Annual Live tree C stock change by US county

    MODIS annual NPP averaged over 2000-2005. Courtesy of Steve Running, U. Montana.

    North American Source of CO2