Natural Global Carbon Cycle through Time

Abstract

In this chapter we review the evolution of the long-term behavior of the global carbon cycle through geologic time and some events of biological evolution and climatic change relevant to that behavior. A discussion of glacial-interglacial changes in the carbon cycle follows to provide background of carbon system behavior prior to major human interference in the carbon cycle. We utilize and emphasize portions of the previous chapters to present a coherent story of trends in the carbon cycle and events that took place and led to major reorganizations of the cycle. This material provides background for discussion in Chapter 11 of the modern carbon cycle and its drivers of nutrient N and P since major human interference in the cycle, a period of time that has become known as the Anthropocene.