RECYCLING WITHIN AN ECOSYSTEM Many CHEMICALS CYCLE within

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLES The movement of CARBON in an ecosystem is CLOSELY LINKED

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • PRODUCERS USE CO 2 and H 2 O

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS NONLIVING processes also RELEASE CO 2 Ø Burning of

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen is found IN ALL LIVING THINGS and accounts for almost 80%

NITROGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • PRODUCERS USE Ammonium (NH 4 -) and Nitrate (NO 3

NITROGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • CONSUMERS EAT PRODUCERS taking in nitrogen-containing organic molecules • DECOMPOSERS

WATER CYCLE Unlike in previous cycles you’ve studied, PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, and DECOMPOSERS HAVE LITTLE

WATER CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • Sun’s energy EVAPORATES water from land water surfaces • Gaseous

WATER CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • CONSUMERS obtain water through DRINKING AND EATING • PLANTS LOSE

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RECYCLING WITHIN AN ECOSYSTEM Many CHEMICALS CYCLE within an ecosystem. • BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES connect biological, geochemical and chemical aspects of the biosphere. • Unlike energy, matter is NOT used up it is transformed.

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLES The movement of CARBON in an ecosystem is CLOSELY LINKED TO OXYGEN. Since this is the case, their PATHS are oftentimes DESCRIBED TOGETHER as ONE CYCLE. CO 2 = Carbon Dioxide H 2 O= water

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • PRODUCERS USE CO 2 and H 2 O from the atmosphere to make an organic compound called glucose (sugar)during photosynthesis Chloroplast • CONSUMERS utilize these organic compounds as FOOD • PRODUCERS and CONSUMERS release CO 2 as a WASTE PRODUCT during cellular respiration Mitochondria

CARBON AND OXYGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS NONLIVING processes also RELEASE CO 2 Ø Burning of fossil fuels and wood Ø Geologic events (volcanic eruption for example)

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen is found IN ALL LIVING THINGS and accounts for almost 80% of the Earth’s ATMOSPHERE (in the form of N 2). It is an element in AMINO ACIDS (which make up all proteins) and other essential molecules. N 2 =

NITROGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • PRODUCERS USE Ammonium (NH 4 -) and Nitrate (NO 3 -) to build amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids which all make up their “body composition” Ø Bacteria help producers ü NITROGEN FIXATION: bacteria changes NH 3 (ammonia) TO NH 4(ammonium)in soil ü NITRIFICATION: With the aid of bacteria, NH 4 - (AMMONIUM) is CONVERTED TO NO 3 - (NITRATE)

NITROGEN CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • CONSUMERS EAT PRODUCERS taking in nitrogen-containing organic molecules • DECOMPOSERS RELEASE NITROGEN from the WASTES and DECAYING BODIES of organisms • BACTERIA in the soil also CONVERT some NITRATES INTO N 2, which gets RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE

WATER CYCLE Unlike in previous cycles you’ve studied, PRODUCERS, CONSUMERS, and DECOMPOSERS HAVE LITTLE IMPACT on the water cycle. NONLIVING PROCESSES PLAY A LARGE ROLE in this cycle.

WATER CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • Sun’s energy EVAPORATES water from land water surfaces • Gaseous WATER VAPOR added to atmosphere • Water vapor, as it cools, CONDENSES TO BECOME PRECIPITATION

WATER CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS • CONSUMERS obtain water through DRINKING AND EATING • PLANTS LOSE WATER during transpiration Ø TRANSPIRATON: EVAPORATION FROM the plant’s LEAVES • RUNOFF, which eventually reenters the atmosphere through evaporation