Summary of Workshop on Terrestrial Carbon Cycling

Abstract

Carbon exchanges betweeen the atmosphere and terrestrial ecosystems influence the reponse of atmospheric CO₂ concentration to fossil fuel emissions. But we do not understand terrestrial carbon cycling well enough to fully explain the CO₂ increases that have occurred during the fossil fuel era or to project future changes. The terrestrial carbon cycling working group assessed the current understanding of the extent and distribution of carbon storage in vegetation and soils and of the responses to these pools to perturbations such as land use, rising CO₂ levels, and climatic change. This report summarizes the major issues addressed by the working group.