[Terrapreta] CO2 Equilibrium

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Lou,

The carbon cycle between plants and the atmosphere is and has been in equilibrium since long before humans or fossil fuels ever existed.  This is how natural systems still work.  They achieve and maintain an equilibrium, a stable give and take.  The systems do this, like inertia, until some external force throws them off.  Then they move to a new equilibrium point.  Human activities, like fossil fuel burning and industrial agriculture, which degrades soil carbon, have thrown in an external force (a wrench into the works, as they say) and the natural systems are shifting to a new (old?) equilibrium point.

I wonder what the world was like when fossil fuels were living plants?  I would guess the equilibrium point back then had higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations, more plant biomass, and higher temperatures.   Now that we are reintroducing the fossil fuel carbon back into the cycle, I think that things are moving back in that the direction.  I think the fossil record shows that this was a time of "cold blooded" animals, as well.

This will be a very good test for the adaptability of the human race.  Will we become "raptors" or grow gills?

Regards,

SKB



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: lou gold<mailto:lou.gold at gmail.com> 
  To: bhans at earthmimic.com<mailto:bhans at earthmimic.com> 
  Cc: Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:Terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Terrapreta] CO2 rising


  WOW, it's really interesting to follow all the links from the Biopact articles. The only clear agreement that I can see is that although  existing forests reach sort of an equilibrium in which there's an uncertain carbon sink -- more of a give and take, sometimes more and sometimes less -- the accelerated release from deforestation and burning are big problems. 

  It strikes me that Kyoto's narrow focus on measurable carbon may not really capture the complex interaction between forests and climate. Gives me something to ponder, for sure.  Thanks for the links.

  lou 




  On 9/20/07, Brian Hans <bhans at earthmimic.com<mailto:bhans at earthmimic.com>> wrote: 
    Here is one study on the topic...not done yet. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00051.htm <http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00051.htm>

    I believe the specific study Code is refering to is on Biopact
    http://biopact.com/2006/11/idea-that-forests-are-carbon-sinks-no.html<http://biopact.com/2006/11/idea-that-forests-are-carbon-sinks-no.html>

    Interesting way of looking at things. IMO...we dont know much about the planet we live on. Even tho we think we do...we dont...

    Brian


    code suidae < codesuidae at gmail.com<mailto:codesuidae at gmail.com>> wrote:
      I read an article sometime in the past year or so that described how 
      forest can become net carbon emitters as global temperatures rise. I
      have been unable to find the article again, but IIRC they were
      describing research done on European forests.

      Unfortunately I don't recall the description of how the rising
      temperatures caused the forests to become net emitters. 

      Anyone familiar with this idea?

      Dave K
      -- 
      "Our ignorance is not so vast as our failure to use what we know." -
      M. King Hubbert

      On 9/20/07, Sean K. Barry wrote: 
      > The ever increasing rate of increase is what is called an "exponential
      > growth curve". Exponential growth curves are very common in natural
      > systems.
      >
      > From: David Yarrow
      > > not only is CO2 rising, but the rate of increase is increasing. the CO2
      > > graph is an upturning curve, not a flat line. and we have entered the phase
      > > when the vertical component of the curve exceeds the horizontal -- the 
      > > "knee" of the curve.

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