title: Terrestrial carbon sinks--uncertain explanations.
abstract: The carbon cycle is fundamental to life on Earth and it determines the amount of carbon dioxide that will remain in the atmosphere. As concentrations increase, understanding the processes that remove carbon from the atmosphere becomes crucial. Armed with this understanding, there is a chance that humanity can enhance carbon removal at the same time as reducing emissions.
authors.affiliation: Woods Hole Research Center, PO Box 296, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA. rhoughton@whrc.org
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Houghton
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis*; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D018534:Earth, Planet; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D014197:Trees / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002244:Carbon; D010100:Oxygen