Ecology Unit Learning Goal #2: Explain relationships between matter cycles and organisms.

Cycles of Matter Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle The water required by all living organisms moves between the ocean, the atmosphere, and the land. Evaporation  liquid to a gas Transpiration  water that enters the atmosphere by evaporating from the leaves of the plants. Condensation  gas to a liquid Precipitation  The water that returns to the earth’s surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Runoff  The precipitation that runs along the surface of the ground until it enters a river or stream. Seepage  Water that seeps into the ground. Root Uptake  Water enters plants and starts the process over again.

Organisms and the Water Cycle Producers – Take water from the soil through roots, then release it through leaves. This is called transpiration. Consumers – Take in water from their food and from surface water supplies. They release it back into the environment through waste products, respiration, and give it off from their outer covering. Decomposers – Release water into the atmosphere as they break down dead matter.

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle Carbon is a key ingredient in living tissue. Four main types of processes move carbon through its cycle: Biological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition Geochemical processes such as erosion and volcanic activity Mixed biogeochemical processes Human activities such as mining, cutting and burning forests, and burning fossil fuels

The Carbon/Oxygen Cycle Producers – Take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and use it to make carbon compounds like carbohydrates through the process of photosynthesis: CO2 + H2O ------- C6H12O6 + O2 (glucose)

O2 + C6H12O6 ------- CO2+ H2O + (Energy) Consumers – Eat food made by the producers to get carbon compounds for energy. Take in oxygen (O2) to use in cellular respiration: O2 + C6H12O6 ------- CO2+ H2O + (Energy) Decomposers – Take in and give off O2 and CO2 as do other consumers. Carbon compounds are also stored in the earth as fossil fuels when plant and animal matter is buried and compressed over long periods of time. CO2 is then released when these fuels are burned. Some also comes from earth processes like volcanoes.

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle The Earth’s atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas. All organisms need nitrogen compounds to build muscle and DNA along with other biological molecules. Atmospheric nitrogen must be converted to a form that is usable to organisms Some types of soil bacteria can convert nitrogen in the air to a usable form for plants. This is called nitrogen fixation.

Producers – Take in nitrogen compounds from the soil and use them to build biological molecules. Consumers – Get their nitrogen from eating plants and other types of organisms. Decomposers – Release nitrogen compounds back into the soil. Other types of bacteria convert the nitrogen back into nitrogen gas (denitrification).

The Phosphorus Cycle http://videos. howstuffworks

The Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is the only important biological element that does not occur as part of atmospheric gases. It’s original source is in the earth’s crust as part of rocks. It is released into the soil through the process of erosion. Phosphorus is an important component of DNA and proteins as well as other biological molecules

Consumers – Get their phosphorus from their food. Producers – Pick up phosphorus compounds from the soil. Consumers – Get their phosphorus from their food. Decomposers – Release phosphorus compounds back into the soil.

An imbalance of any of the nutrients can limit an organism’s growth.