Carbon Storage Changes in Biome Transitions

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Question:

Case 1: The biome of a small agricultural community in the western United States changes from grassland to desert. A species of migrating duck, which can carry bird flu, goes locally extinct.

Case 2: The biome in northern Russia changes from tundra to taiga. Timber harvesting in the region becomes possible. Arctic foxes go locally extinct and are replaced by red foxes that commonly carry rabies.

Sort the consequence based on whether it would apply to Case 1, Case 2, or both: carbon storage increases

Answer:

The consequence of "carbon storage increases" would apply to Case 2.

In Case 2, the transition from tundra to taiga involves the growth of trees, which can sequester more carbon compared to the tundra ecosystem. In contrast, Case 1, where the biome changes from grassland to desert, would likely result in a decrease in carbon storage, as deserts typically have lower biomass and carbon sequestration potential than grasslands.