1. Ecosystem Recycling

2. Biogeochemical Cycle
Biogeochemical cycle – water and minerals (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous) are recycled and reused

3. Water Cycle
Most of life’s chemical reactions occur in aqueous environments
Key processes in water cycle are evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation

4. Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are the two main steps in the carbon cycle
Carbon dioxide is used to make sugars and break down sugars

5. Human Influences on Carbon Cycle
CO2 in atmosphere has risen nearly 30% in the last 150 years
Humans release CO2 by burning fossil fuels
CO2 is released by decay of organisms

6. Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are important in nitrogen cycle
They change nitrogen gas into usable form of nitrogen for plants

7. Phosphorous Cycle
Phosphorous moves from phosphate deposited in rock, to the soil, to living organisms, and finally to the ocean
Phosphorous is needed to make DNA, RNA, and Proteins

8. Biomes
Biomes – large terrestrial ecosystems that contain smaller ecosystems within

9. Tundra Cold and largely treeless biome and characterized by permafrost
Plants:
Grass, sedges, conifers, etc.
Animals:
Caribou, Snowy Owls, bear, etc.

10. Deciduous Forests
Characterized by trees that loose their leaves in fall
Plants:
Maple trees, oak trees, grasses, wild flowers, etc.
Animals:
Deer, rabbits, foxes, etc.

11. Temperate Grasslands
Low rainfall and dominated by grasses (A.K.A. prairie)
Plants:
Grasses and some trees
Animals:
Grazing animals (bison, moose, etc.)

12. Other Deserts = low rainfall Savannas = tropical grasslands (Africa)
Rain Forests = abundant rainfall