ABSTRACT
The carbon cycle refers to the processes by which carbon moves between the atmosphere, the terrestrial (land) system, and the oceans. Carbon is constantly moving between the three active reservoirs, and these exchanges are called carbon fluxes. Understanding how the carbon cycle works, and how these fluxes influence carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere, is essential to understanding how anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions influence the global climate. Reservoirs that absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit to the atmosphere are termed carbon sinks.
