The essential fact which emerges ... is that the three smallest and most active reservoirs ( of carbon in the global carbon cycle), the atmosphere, the plants and the soil, are all of roughly the same size. This means that large human disturbance of any one of these reservoirs will have large effects on all three. We cannot hope either to understand or to manage the carbon in the atmosphere unless we understand and manage the trees and the soil too.

Summary

This quote highlights the interconnectedness of the atmosphere, plants, and soil as crucial components of the global carbon cycle. It emphasizes that these reservoirs are similar in size and thus heavily influence each other. It implies that any significant disruption or disturbance caused by human activities in one of these reservoirs will impact the other two. In order to effectively comprehend and regulate carbon levels in the atmosphere, it is essential to comprehend and appropriately manage the trees and soil as well. Overall, comprehensive understanding and management of all three reservoirs are necessary for effective carbon management.

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