🌍 Big Idea: Ecosystems are open systems! What does that mean? It's like a café with a revolving door - things (like energy and matter) can come in or go out. And a major player here? CARBON! 🌲🔥

• 🌿 Photosynthesis: Plants have this cool trick where they pull in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and sunlight to make food (and oxygen).
• 🌬 Respiration: Most living things breathe, releasing CO₂. Think of it as the opposite of photosynthesis.

But here’s the thing – ecosystems might not balance these two processes equally.

• Carbon Sink 🛁

  • Imagine your ecosystem is saving up carbon like a teen saving pocket money.
  • This happens when photosynthesis (carbon in) > respiration (carbon out).
  • Real-world example: Dense, old-growth forests soak up lots of CO₂ and don't release as much.

• Carbon Source 💨

  • Here, the ecosystem spends more carbon than it earns.
  • This happens when respiration (carbon out) > photosynthesis (carbon in).
  • Real-world example: An area with lots of animal life but few plants, causing more CO₂ release than uptake.

• Saprotrophs: These are nature's cleanup crew (like fungi) that munch on dead stuff.
• What do they do? Break down organic matter ➡️ Release carbon as CO₂.