Cycles of Matter - Biogeochemical Cycles Objective: A5 - Describe the flow of matter through the carbon & nitrogen cycles & explain the consequences of disrupting these cycles

All matter cycles…it is neither created nor destroyed; it is just transformed Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within & between ecosystems. Elements pass from one organism to another and among parts of the biosphere through closed loops called biogeochemical cycles, which are powered by the flow of energy.

What is Carbon? Carbon is an element that is in all living things. Molecules containing carbon are called Organic.

Carbon Cycle Talk about Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration The movement of carbon from the environment into living things and then back again.

Carbon Cycle Keep in mind all living things have carbon in them, so when they die, decomposers help return that carbon to the environment and soil.

What is Nitrogen? Nitrogen is an element used to build proteins and nucleic acids. It is found in living things like plants & animals and non-living things like the air above and the dirt below.

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen atoms do not stay in one place. They move slowly between living things, dead things, the air, soil and water.

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen fixation is when lightning or bacteria in the soil change nitrogen gas into a form that can be taken up by plant roots.

Nitrogen Cycle Other bacteria obtain energy by converting the nitrogen in the soil back into a gas to be released into the air in a process called denitrification.

Ecological Succession Objective: A6 - Describe how events & processes that occur during ecological succession can change populations & species diversity

Ecological Succession is… series of predictable changes that occurs in a community over time Succession occurs in all natural environments. There are 2 different types: Primary & Secondary

Ecological Succession 1st year Grass 2nd year Grass Weeds 3rd to 18th year Grass, weeds, shrubs, pine tree seedlings 19th to 30th year Grass, weeds, shrubs, Young pine forest 30th to 70th year Mature pine forest; Understory of young hardwoods 70th to 100th year Pine to hardwood transition 100th year plus Climax oak-hickory forest

Primary Succession succession that occurs on the surface where no soil exists Example: new lava or rock from a volcano that makes a new island Pioneer Species – first species to populate an area during primary succession

Primary Succession 6/5/03 M-DCC / PCB 2340C

Secondary Succession succession following a disturbance that destroys a community without destroying the soil

The Circle of Life in Secondary Succession

Climax Community A mature, stable community that is the final stage of ecological succession.

Examples of Climax Communities