Dear Dave, For more recent carbon storage, emissions and sequestration estimates in the main biomes (tropical, temperate, boreal and sub-arctic ecosystems), see Sciense Vol 263. January 1994. Most estimates seem to be pointing to the same direction - substantial carbon uptake in the mid and higher latitudes, with more than offsetting net emissions from the lower latitudes. This implies a net loss of elemental atmospheric Oxygen. However, there is an estimated five fold reduction of atmospheric oxygen through combustion of fossil carbon compared to the puny Gigaton from ecosystems. And there is more than 40,000 billion tonnes of fossil carbon waiting to be combusted. Even with this potential, there is no chance that we can make a dent on the O2 reserves. (Extinction of the species would most likely occur much earlier than the Oxygen crisis!!). Take a deep breath. regards, makundi
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