3.3 Cycles of Matter Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems Matter is transformed

Water Cycle Water exists as three states simultaneously on Earth (liquid, solid, gas) Evaporation: liquid water changes to gas Transpiration: evaporation of water from leaves of plants

Nutrient Cycles Nutrients: chemical substances an organism needs to live

Carbon is key ingredient of living tissue

Nitrogen is needed to make proteins

Phosphorus is needed for nucleic acids

Nutrient Limitation Primary productivity: rate at which organic material is made by producers Limiting nutrient: single nutrient that is scarce or cycles slowly and limits the growth of organisms in an ecosystem

Algal Bloom: an immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers