How does Matter move through an ecosystem?  Unlike the one way flow of energy, matter is recycled within & between ecosystems  Nutrients are passed between organisms & the environment through biogeochemical cycles  Biogeochemical Cycles:  Bio –life  Geo – Earth  Chemo – chemical 1.WATER CYCLE 2.NUTRIENT CYCLES: a)CARBON CYCLE b)NITROGEN CYCLE c)PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

Why are nutrients important ? 95% of your body is made of… 1)OXYGEN 2)CARBON 3)HYDROGEN 4)NITROGEN  Every living organism needs nutrients to build tissues and carry out essential life functions.

Availibility of nutrients  If a nutrient is in short supply, it will limit an organisms growth. It is called a limiting nutrient  When a limiting nutrient is dumped into a lake or pond, an algal bloom occurs and can disrupt the ecosystem

THE WATER CYCLE

CARBON CYCLE (see fig.3-13) 4 PROCESSES MOVE CARBON THROUGH ITS CYCLE: 1)Biological 2)Geochemical 3)Mixed biochemical 4)Human Activity CO 2

NITROGEN CYCLE (see fig.3- 14) Nitrogen-containing nutrients in the biosphere include: 1)Ammonia (NH 3 ) 2)Nitrate (NO 3 - ) 3)Nitrite (NO 2 - ) ORGANISMS NEED NITROGEN TO MAKE AMINO ACIDS FOR BUILDING PROTEINS!!! N 2 in Atmosphere NH 3 N0 3- & N0 2 -

PHOSPHORUS CYCLE (see fig.3-15) PHOSPHORUS FORMS PART OF IMPORTANT LIFE-SUSTAINING MOLECULES (ex. DNA & RNA)