When describing the movement of matter in Earth's systems, it is important to consider how the matter moves among the atmosphere, the geosphere, the biosphere, and the hydrosphere. The diagram, for example, shows ways that carbon moves among these spheres.

fossil fuels

and cement production

vegetation

rivers

surface ocean

soils

marine biota

dissolved organic carbon

sediments

deep ocean

rock

Suppose many of the trees in the diagram were cut down and burned or left to decompose.

Explain how the amount of carbon in the atmosphere would most likely change