Affiliation:
1. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
2. SNRM, College of Postgraduate Studies in Agricultural Science, Umiam, India
Abstract
The concentration of atmospheric CO2 is currently at around 415 ppm and is increasing by approximately 2-3 ppm annually. This rise is mainly caused by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels for energy production, industrial processes, and changes in land use. Although annual emission rates have fluctuated, they generally remain high, with recent estimates indicating around 40-45 GtCO2 being emitted each year. This chapter examines the crucial involvement of terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems in carbon sequestration, a key process in contending climate change. By investigating various mechanisms such as terrestrial vegetation absorption of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and the deposition of organic material in marine sediments, the chapter elucidates the intricate connections between these ecosystems and their impact on the global carbon cycle and regulating climate and stresses the vital requirement for cooperative efforts to ensure their ability to sequester carbon for the benefit of future generations.