ISSN 1051-0761.PDF - Published Version327KbOfficial URL: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/05-1769.1AbstractKnowing">http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/05-1769.1AbstractKnowing</a> the metabolic balance of an ecosystem is of utmost importance in determining whether the system is a net source or net sink of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.