Final answer:
Temperate forests capture and release carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and decomposition. Coral reefs act as carbon sinks, using carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and storing carbon in their structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Temperate forests and coral reefs both contribute to the carbon cycle in unique ways. In temperate forests, trees capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it in their biomass. When trees die and decompose, carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Additionally, when forests are cleared or burned, the stored carbon is released as carbon dioxide. Coral reefs, on the other hand, play a vital role in the carbon cycle by acting as carbon sinks. Corals utilize carbon dioxide dissolved in the ocean for photosynthesis, and the calcium carbonate structures they build also store carbon. When corals die, their skeletons become part of the ocean floor, forming sediments that can sequester carbon for thousands of years.