Biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene and its significance

Congqiang LIU, Siliang LI, Xueyan LIU, Baoli WANG, Yunchao LANG, Hu DING, Liping HAO, Qiongyu ZHANG

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Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2024, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (1) : 455-466. DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.1.26

Biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene and its significance

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Abstract

The Earth has entered a new geological epoch - the “Anthropocene”, wherein humanity has become the principal driving force behind global changes. These activities, through their transformative effect on biogeochemical processes and the cycles of essential biogenic elements, are exerting a direct and indirect impact on the Earth's ecosystem's vital functions, thereby posing numerous challenges to human well-being and the sustainability of our development. Drawing from the latest advancements in Earth System Science, this paper offers an exhaustive review of the Anthropocene's global change dynamics, the pivotal role and evolving patterns of biogeochemical cycles across various Earth spheres, and their transformation. It specifically delves into the repercussions of human actions, including the exploitation of natural resources and shifts in production and consumption paradigms, on these biogeochemical cycles and their consequent climatic, ecological, and environmental effects. This study underscores the necessity of a holistic grasp of the complex, multi-scaled biogeochemical cycle processes propelled by human activities and their ecological and environmental ramifications. It advocates for an integrated approach in research, amalgamating natural and social sciences, anchored in the principles and methodologies of Earth System Science, aimed at deciphering the intricacies of the Anthropocene's social-ecological systems. Conclusively, the paper delineates strategic research areas and trajectories for investigating the Anthropocene's biogeochemical cycles, emphasizing the critical need to resolve the intricate scientific challenges posed by these cycles in an epoch deeply influenced by human endeavors and climatic change.

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Anthropocene / biogeochemical cycles / global change / Earth system science

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Congqiang LIU , Siliang LI , Xueyan LIU , et al . Biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene and its significance. Earth Science Frontiers. 2024, 31(1): 455-466 https://doi.org/10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.1.26

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