Download Principles of Ecology 1.2 Recycling Matter

Principles of Ecology
1.2 Recycling Matter
Presented by Wendy Noffke & Loren Davis
Biogeochemical Cycles
• Water & chemicals are continuously recycled in
the ecosystem through both biotic & abiotic
components
• Exchange pool: holds water or element for a
short period of time – water in the atmosphere
• Reservoir: holds water or element for a long
period of time – water in the ocean
Water Cycle
• Global cycle on / above / & below the earth
Water Cycle – States of Water
• Evaporation: surface water changes to water
vapor
• Sublimation: ice & snow changes directly to
water vapor
• Transpiration: plants release water vapor
through stomata
• Condensation: process of water vapor turning to
droplets / liquid
• Precipitation: rain, snow, hail, freezing rain
Ground Water & Runoff
• Runoff: precipitation that falls on land & flows
over surface of ground
• Ground water: precipitation that falls on land &
soaks into the ground, may seep out of ground in
a spring or ocean, some goes into aquifers
• Aquifer: underground rock that stores water
The Carbon Cycle
• Flowing water dissolves
sedimentary rock  ends
up in ocean  stored for
years
• Cycles between
organisms & atmosphere
quickly with
photosynthesis & cellular
respiration
• Cycles slowly through
geological processes such
as sedimentation
Nitrogen Fixation
• 78% of earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen
• Moves through abiotic & biotic parts of
ecosystem
• Nitrogen fixation converts nitrogen gas to
nitrates, carried out by nitrogen fixing bacteria in
soil & roots of legumes
• Nitrifying bacteria change ammonium ions from
dead organisms into nitrates which are used by
plants & changed back to gas by denitrifying
bacteria
Nitrogen Cycle