The Biota and the World Carbon Budget

George M. Woodwell; R. H. Whittaker; William A. Reiners; Gene E. Likens; C. C. Delwiche; Daniel B. Botkin

doi:10.1126/science.199.4325.141

Abstract

Current knowledge of the world carbon budget is reviewed with special emphasis on the question of whether the biota is a source or a sink for CO/sub 2/. The analysis shows through convergent lines of evidence that the biota is not a sink and may be a source of CO/sub 2/ as large or larger than the fossil fuel source. The issue is important because of the potential that changes in the CO/sub 2/ content of air have for changing climate worldwide. Various analyses suggest that human activities in the near future could release large additional amounts of CO/sub 2/ into the atmosphere with results that are substantially unpredictable.

Keywords

BiotaCarbon fibersEnvironmental scienceNatural resource economicsEcologyEconomicsBiologyComputer science

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Publication Info

Year: 1978
Type: article
Volume: 199
Issue: 4325
Pages: 141-146
Citations: 608
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    George M. Woodwell, 
                                
                                    R. H. Whittaker, 
                                
                                    William A. Reiners
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1978). 
                            The Biota and the World Carbon Budget. 
                            Science
                            , 199
                            (4325)
                            , 141-146.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.199.4325.141
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.199.4325.141
PMID: 17812932

Data Quality

Data completeness: 77%