Gen Horticulture/Plant Science

Question

When a tree is cut and burned, it is converted into which of the following?

carbon cycle

carbon reservoir

carbon sink

carbon source

Answer 1

Trees are made of carbon, among other elements. When the wood of a tree is burned, the chemical compounds are broken down into smaller molecules (Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, single carbon molecules, etc etc). These carbon containing molecules are now free to move around where previously they were stuck within the tree itself. Gases are released into the atmosphere, while charcoal (pure carbon) left eventually becomes incorpoirtated into the soil. That said, I would say the best answer would be the Carbon Cycle, the process where carbon is transported in various ways through the atmosphere, soil, and ecosystem.

Hope that helps!

John