Coordinated Sciences · Biology · Ecosystems

The Carbon Cycle

Research phase — 45:00
45:00
01 — Now Work through all eight stations in the diagram. Read the facts, learn the vocabulary, and answer the guiding questions in your notes — you'll need the answers for the poster.
02 — Next (45 min) You'll draw and label a full carbon cycle diagram on poster paper, showing carbon moving between the atmosphere, living things, the ocean, and fossil fuel stores.
03 — Before you start Carbon never disappears — it just moves between reservoirs (places it's stored) via processes (ways it moves). Every station below is one of those processes.

This is the real shape of the cycle — reservoirs joined by many paths, not one loop. Click any arrow to open that process.

Your poster must show

Further sources — for when you want to go deeper

Syllabus notes

Nutrient Cycles — CIE IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences

Save My Exams revision notes written directly against your syllabus, covering the carbon cycle alongside the water cycle.

 Syllabus notes

B18.3 Carbon Cycle — Study Notes

A concise set of notes matched to the exact CIE syllabus point on the carbon cycle.

 Deeper science

The Carbon Cycle — NASA Earth Observatory

A more advanced look at fast and slow carbon cycles, with a detailed reservoir diagram.

 Quick overview

What Is the Carbon Cycle? — NASA

A short, clear explainer with a simple diagram — good for checking your understanding at a glance.

 Real-world data

Carbon Cycle — NOAA Education

Explains carbon reservoirs and links to real climate data and lesson activities.

 Video

What Is the Carbon Cycle? (1-minute video) — NOAA

A short video summary, including a section on "blue carbon" stored in coastal ecosystems.