Trey wrote a few steps to describe how carbon circulates between the atmosphere and living organisms. Step 1. Carbon enters the atmosphere as carbon dioxide from respiration and the burning of fossil fuels. Step 2. Trees absorb carbon dioxide in the air and use it to make their own food using photosynthesis. Step 3. Plant-eating animals consume the carbon stored in plants. If step 2 is removed, which statement best describes the effects of this missing step on the carbon cycle? Less carbon is stored in the ground for long-term storage. There is a decrease in the amount of carbon stored in the air. More carbon is stored in plants instead of the air. Animals consume foods without stored carbon.