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
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
