1. Nutrient cycles Intro and Carbon Cycle

2. Flows of energy and matter
Energy flows through systems
Matter lows through ecosystems (nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water)
How much?
Infinite (the sun is always shining somewhere)
Finite
When?
Once
Cycles and recycles repeatedly
Outputs
All organisms give out energy all the time as respiration releases heat
All organisms release waste nutrients, carbon dioxide and water
Quality
Degrades from higher to lower quality energy (light to heat) so entropy increases
May change form but does not degrade
Storages
Temporarily stored as chemical energy
Is stored long and short term in chemicals forms

3. In your group read pages focusing on cycles and flows, and nutrient cycle. Fill in this table on the whiteboard then I will check it and you will add it to your notebook
Energy Flows
Nutrient Cycles
Flows through an ecosystem in one direction starting as solar radiation and finally leaving as heat released through respiration.

4. Read pages 86-87 The Carbon Cycle
You will need to take notes on:
Where is the carbon stored
How carbon flows
What is carbon fixation
What is the carbon budget
How do humans affect the carbon cycle
As a group design an easy to understand diagram of the carbon cycle. It must have:
Flows
storages
label the LARGEST carbon sink (It is not the ocean) Use the internet or my website