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What is photosynthesis, and why does Sir David Attenborough describe it as 'the very basis of life?'. This album explains how the balance of sunlight, water and nutrients are fundamental to the process and how this balance acts to regulate individual ecosystems. But photosynthesis is only part of the carbon cycle. How is carbon returned to the atmosphere, how do carbon containing gases influence the Earth's climate, and what role do peat bogs play in tackling global warming? This material forms part of The Open University course S396 Ecosystems.
Track 3: Recycling carbon
How carbon is returned to the atmosphere through decomposition of organic matter
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Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecosystems: the carbon cycle | A short introduction to this album Play now Ecosystems: the carbon cycle |
| 2 | How plants make food | The influence of differing levels of light, water, CO2 and nutrients on plant photosynthesis around the world Play now How plants make food |
| 3 | Recycling carbon | How carbon is returned to the atmosphere through decomposition of organic matter Play now Recycling carbon |
| 4 | The peatbog problem | Why peatbogs are crucial carbon containers, and how atmospheric methane is measured Play now The peatbog problem |
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