Final answer:
Human activity can impact the carbon cycle through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and changes in land use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Human activity can significantly impact the carbon cycle. One way this happens is through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This adds to the overall concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in the greenhouse effect and contributing to climate change.
Deforestation is another human activity that affects the carbon cycle. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and store it in their biomass. When forests are cleared, either for agriculture or urbanization, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
Additionally, changes in land use, such as converting forests to farmland or urban areas, can alter the natural balance of carbon in ecosystems. This can disrupt the cycling of carbon between the atmosphere, soil, and vegetation.
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