ECOSYSTEM RECYCLING
Material Cycles
As energy & matter move through exostyem matter must be recycle and reused
Types of Cycle1. Carbon & Oxygen Cycles2. Water Cycle3. Nitrogen Cycle
Carbon & Oxygen cycle
Involves the process of photosynthesis & respiration Photosynthesis uses CO2 and produces O2
Respiration use O2 and produces CO2
The carbon cycle is one of the most important to humans because it is important to our existence: one of the primary elements forming human
tissues necessary to plants, the basis of human food important to the climate system which sets the
background for our environment: carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) are
greenhouse gases which help set global temperatures
Human influences on carbon cycle
In last 150 years atmospheric CO2 has risen 30%
This is caused by burning fossil fuels and burning forests (to clear land for agriculture) Now less vegetation is available to absorb
CO2 from atmosphere through photosynthesis
Increased levels CO2 is causing global climate change
Water Cycle
Availability of water is one of the key factors that determine the productivity of a terrestrial ecosystem
Water is found in bodies of water, atmosphere, the ground and living organisms
InvolvesPhotosynthesis & Respiration Transpiration (movement of water through a plant)Evaporation & CondensationExcretion
Heat causes water to EVAPORATE from bodies of water, soil and organisms Transpiration is
when water evaporates from plants
Water leaves the atmosphere through PRECIPITATION
Nitrogen Cycle
Involves decomposers and other soil bacteria which break down and convert nitrogenous wastes and the remains of dead organisms into material that is usable by autotrophs (nitrates)
Nitrogen fixing bacteria—transform nitrogen gas into a usable form Live in soil and inside swellings on roots of
certain plants (mutualism)