Carbon turnover refers to the cycling of carbon through various pools and processes in ecosystems. This includes the uptake of carbon dioxide by plants through photosynthesis, the transfer of carbon to soil through decomposition, and the release of carbon back into the atmosphere through respiration and combustion. Understanding carbon turnover is important for predicting how ecosystems will respond to climate change and human activities, as it plays a key role in regulating the global carbon cycle. Researchers study carbon turnover to assess the impact of land use changes, deforestation, and other factors on carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions.