Question

what would most likely happen to the carbon cycle if there were no more plants on earth? animals would perform more photosynthesis. carbon would build up in the atmosphere. more carbon would be released from fossil fuels. animals would consume more carbon.

Explanation:

Plants play a crucial role in the carbon - cycle by absorbing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Without plants, there would be no photosynthesis to take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion would continue to release carbon into the atmosphere, and since there are no plants to absorb it, carbon would build up in the atmosphere. Animals do not perform photosynthesis, and they consume carbon as part of their normal metabolic processes, but this is not the main impact on the carbon - cycle in the absence of plants.

Answer:

Carbon would build up in the atmosphere.