C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
Carbon cycle diagrams explains how energy flow, matter cycling, trophic transfer or carbon movement is represented, measured or limited within ecosystems.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- C4.2.17
- Level
- HL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing9%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2023
Most common paperPaper1
Typical marks1
Common command terms
- Draw
- Identify
- Explain
- Label
- Discuss
- Outline
- Describe
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Reversing food-web arrows instead of showing energy transfer direction.
Recent exam appearances
May 2023Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ26(c)[ 7 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
November 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ016[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
May 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ115[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
May 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ214[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
November 2021Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ016[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
Practice this objective
Coverage 2012–2023 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Carbon cycle diagrams must be linked to the correct source, store, transfer or loss process.
- The evidence for carbon cycle diagrams depends on distinguishing energy flow from matter cycling.
- Carbon cycle diagrams is clearer when arrows, units and trophic positions match the biological process.
- Data or diagrams for carbon cycle diagrams need interpretation as ecosystem transfer evidence.