Definition: Positive feedbacks amplify changes, while negative feedbacks help stabilize systems.

Example: Wildfires represent a positive feedback loop, releasing CO₂ that increases global warming, leading to more fires.

Highlight: Major carbon stores include sediments, rocks, oceans, soil organic matter, and terrestrial plants.

Quote: "Carbon sinks absorb more CO₂ than they emit, while carbon sources release more than they absorb."

Highlight: The River Eden basin in Cumbria features steep slopes and receives approximately 2000mm of annual rainfall.

Example: The Amazon Rainforest, covering 5.5 million km², traditionally acts as a carbon sink but recent studies show concerning changes.

Quote: "Studies in 2021 show Amazon emits more CO₂ than it absorbs, releasing 166 billion tons while drawing in only 139 billion tons."

Vocabulary: A carbon sink is an environment that absorbs more carbon than it releases, though the Amazon's status is changing.

Definition: A hydrograph shows how water discharge varies over time, with flashy hydrographs indicating rapid response to rainfall and subdued hydrographs showing gradual changes.

Vocabulary: Infiltration refers to water movement from ground to soil, while percolation describes water movement into rocks.

Example: In flashy hydrographs, there's a short lag time and steep rising and falling limbs, leading to higher flood risks.

Highlight: Human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization significantly increase surface runoff and flood risks.