Warm-Up Which consumer occupies the 3 rd Trophic level? 2. Why do apex predators need to eat the most? 3.How much energy is lost between each trophic level? 4. Name the three processes of the water cycle. 5. What is it called when water changes to a vapor? 6. What is condensation? 7. Water that moves over the surface of the ground into lakes and rivers is called what?

Water Cycle What is it? The water cycle is the continuous process by which water moves from Earth’s atmosphere and back. AKA: Hydrologic Cycle Parts of the Cycle Evaporation : molecules of water absorb energy and change to a gas. Condensation : The process of a gas changing to a liquid Precipitation : when rain, sleet, or snow fall to the ground. How does it work? Water on Earth is heated by the Sun which causes the water to turn into a gas to form clouds. The water vapor cools and becomes water again When clouds become too heavy, rain, sleet, snow, or hail fall to the ground. Precipitation collects in rivers, lakes, and the oceans Importance This is the way that Earth’s water recycles itself. How all organisms have the water they need to survive. Is also linked to climate Helps transport nutrients and sediments in aquatic ecosystems

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Carbon and Oxygen Cycle What is it? The carbon cycle is the circulation and transformation of carbon back and forth between living things and the environment. How our oxygen is cycled through ecosystems. Parts of the Cycle Producers using carbon dioxide during photosynthesis Consumers use break down carbon for energy Decomposers and humans also play roles in the carbon cycle How does it work? Producers use the carbon from carbon dioxide to make food molecules, like sugars and starches. When consumers eat producers, they take in the carbon-containing food molecules for energy. When consumers and producers die, decomposers break down the remains and release carbon into the soil. Importance The carbon cycle is important because it moves, a life-sustaining element, from the atmosphere and oceans into organisms and back into oceans and the atmosphere. If the balance is upset, global warming and climate change could result

Nitrogen Cycle What is it? In the nitrogen cycle, nitrogen moves from the air to the soil, into living things, and back into the air Parts of the Cycle? Nitrogen Fixation - is the process by which “free nitrogen” changes into a usable form of nitrogen. Certain kinds of bacteria performs nitrogen fixation How does it work? Bacteria helps change the free nitrogen in the atmosphere into nitrogen we can use. Producers then absorb nitrogen absorbed in the soil Consumers get their nitrogen from plants Decomposers return simple nitrogen compounds to the soil Importance Plants and animals could not live without nitrogen It is an important part of cells and processes such as amino acids, proteins, and DNA Needed to make chlorophyll for plants.