Nutrient Cycles Nutrient Cycling Unlike energy which flows












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Nutrient Cycles

Nutrient Cycling • Unlike energy, which flows one -way through an ecosystem, matter is recycled through ecosystems – law of conservation of matter ENERGY MATTER


Nutrient Cycling • Matter (elements, chemical compounds) are recycled through biogeochemical cycles – The Water Cycle – The Carbon Cycle – The Nitrogen Cycle – The Phosphorus Cycle

Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Main Points: • Carbon (in CO 2 form) cycles between Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration • CO 2 is in the atmosphere and in the ocean – Photosynthesis: Atmosphere Organisms – Feeding Producer Organisms Consumers – Respiration Organisms Atmosphere • Decomposition of organisms returns carbon to the soil/water/atmosphere • Human activity increases the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, leading to climate change

Nitrogen Cycle

Main Points: • Major N 2 reservoir is in the atmosphere • Bacteria “fix” nitrogen and convert it into a usable form (from N 2 gas to ammonia (NH 3) – Nitrates & Ammonia in ground • Producers take up nitrogen from the soil • Nitrogen… – Is used in DNA synthesis – Is a part of amino acids (proteins)

Remember… • Biological systems don't use up matter, they transform it! • Entropy: the world slowly becoming more and more disordered….

Nutrient Cycle Limitations • LIMITING NUTRIENT – When ecosystems lack needed nutrients, it restricts growth. – This is often why fertilizer is used!

Over-fertilization • Runoff of nutrients into water sources • More nutrients in water means that producers (algae) grow and reproduce faster • Not enough consumers to eat excess producers. • Leads to an “algal bloom” --- too many algae use up all the oxygen in the water • No oxygen means everything dies eutrophication
APES Biogeochemical Cycles Nutrient Cycling Biogeochemical Cycles n
Nutrient Cycling Biogeochemical Cycles Energy vs Matter Energy
Nutrient Cycling Biogeochemical Cycles Energy vs Matter Energy
Biogeochemical Cycles Nutrient Cycles Biogeochemical Cycles Nitrogen Fixation
2 2 Nutrient Cycles in Ecosystems Nutrient cycles
Nutrient cycles Ecosphere Photo Earth Photo Nutrient cycles
Unit 2 NUTRIENT CYCLES Mrs Weimer NUTRIENT CYCLES
NUTRIENT CYCLES READINGS FREEMAN Chapter 54 NUTRIENT CYCLES
MTB Cremnicium cycling health cycling education cycling socialization
CYCLES IN NATURE Biogeochemical cycles Cycles in which
Earths Dynamic cycles Matter cycles and energy flows
Earths Dynamic cycles Matter cycles and energy flows