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
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing15%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–6
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
November 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ128[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
November 2025Paper1A ["SL"] · TZ326[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
May 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ17(b)[ 4 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
November 2024Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ219[ 1 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
May 2023Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ17(b)[ 5 ]C4.2.17—Carbon cycle diagrams
Practice this objective
Coverage 2011–2025 · 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.