Carbon is the most abundant element in living organisms, and it is essential for life. Carbon gets into the soil through a process called carbon sequestration. This process involves the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and its storage in soil and other organic matter.

There are two main ways that carbon gets into the soil:

• Plant photosynthesis: Plants take in CO2 from the atmosphere and use it to produce food and energy. When plants die, their organic matter decomposes and releases carbon back into the soil.
• Animal respiration: Animals take in oxygen and release CO2 as a waste product. This CO2 can then be absorbed by plants or directly into the soil.

Once carbon is in the soil, it can be taken up by microorganisms. Microorganisms are tiny organisms that live in soil, water, and air. They play a vital role in breaking down organic matter and cycling nutrients. When microorganisms break down organic matter, they release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. However, they can also store carbon in their cells.

The amount of carbon that is stored in the soil depends on a number of factors, including:

• The type of soil: Some soils are better at storing carbon than others. For example, soils that are high in clay or organic matter are better at holding onto carbon.
• The type of vegetation: Plants with deep root systems can help to store more carbon in the soil.
• Climate: Soil in warmer climates tends to store less carbon than soil in cooler climates.
• Land use: Land that is managed for agriculture or forestry tends to store less carbon than land that is left undisturbed.

The distribution of flora and fauna is also affected by environmental factors. These factors include:

• Climate: Temperature, precipitation, and humidity all play a role in determining the types of plants and animals that can live in a particular area.
• Soil: The type of soil, its nutrient content, and its pH level can also affect the distribution of plants and animals.
• Topography: Mountains, valleys, and other landforms can create barriers to the movement of plants and animals.
• Human activities: Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, and urbanization can have a negative impact on the distribution of plants and animals.

By understanding how carbon gets into the soil and into microorganisms and the environmental factors affecting distribution of flora and fauna, we can better manage our planet's resources and protect the environment.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to soil via 'carbon-fixing' autotrophic organisms, mainly photosynthesizing plants and also photo- and chemoautotrophic microbes that synthesize atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into organic material. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants assimilate carbon and return some of it to the atmosphere through respiration. The carbon that remains as plant tissue is then consumed by animals or added to the soil as litter when plants die and decompose. Much of the carbon that enters the carbon cycle of microorganisms is carbon dioxide. This form of carbon exists as a gas in the atmosphere and can be dissolved in water. The atmospheric carbon dioxide can be converted to organic material in the process of photosynthesis. The main factors influencing the world distribution of plants and animals include climate, geographical barriers, evolutionary history, human activities, and ecological interactions. Climate plays a crucial role as different species have adapted to specific temperature, rainfall, and sunlight conditions. The main factors responsible for distribution of flora and fauna are favorable topography, availability of minerals, fresh water resources, suitable climatic conditions and soil fertility. Temperature, light, water, nutrients, and soil all have an effect on plant growth from germination to blooming and local factors including such soil conditions, geological structures, resource availability, and predator-prey interactions determine this. The rate of growth or death of a particular microbial species is influenced by a variety of physical factors in its environment including temperature, osmotic pressure, pH, and oxygen concentration.