Prairie Plants and the Carbon Cycle

Roots of prairie plants are developed through centuries of growth. These deep roots will take the carbon out of the air add nutrients to the soil when they die, contributing to rich soil.

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

• Why are prairies important?
• How is carbon cycled in a prairie?
• Why is the carbon cycle important? 

Classroom Suggestions

• Research and identify the concentrations of carbon in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. 
• Develop a model (physical or drawing) that shows the cycling of carbon in different ecosystems. 
• Use a model to argue that matter is conserved as carbon cycles through the Earth’s systems. 
• Debate the effectiveness of using models to explain the carbon cycle. 

Related Resources

• National Center for Atmospheric Research and UCAR Office of Program: Living in the Greenhouse:  This resource shows a carbon cycle graphic and explains what happens in the carbon cycle. 
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Carbon Cycle: This site describes the carbon cycle on different areas of the Earth as well as changes that have happened to the carbon cycle.  
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network: Explore different observatories and what they are looking for in regards to greenhouse gases.   
• NASA: Earth Observatory:  This resource explains where carbon comes from and what the carbon cycle’s impact is on the atmosphere. 
• BBC Bitesize: Material Cycling in Ecosystems: Learn about the carbon cycle and the components that have a part in the carbon cycle. 
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Carbon Cycle: This resource from Woods Hole Oceanographic briefly describes the carbon cycle and gives links to different news releases about the carbon and the carbon cycle.