Recycling in Ecosystems Gaiser Life Science

Know How does the Earth recycle? (not human recycling) Evidence Page # “I don’t know anything.” is not an acceptable answer. Use complete sentences. After listening to the PowerPoint lecture, come back here and list evidence to explain why your answer to the above question is or is not a good answer. You may also use other outside sources to help you respond. Draw a picture showing the ways recycling in an ecosystem is limited.

Clarifying ?s Information Page # Recycling in Ecosystems water cycle - a continuous process where water moves from the Earth’s surface, to the atmosphere, and back again Process 1. evaporation  2. condensation  3. precipitation - Liquid water absorbs energy and changes to water vapor. Summary: - Water vapor changes to a liquid - droplets collect around dust particles to form clouds. - Water vapor condenses. Clouds grow “heavy.” Water falls back to Earth. evaporation condensation precipitation Nitrogen cycle - organisms moving from one place to another How? dispersal 1. Wind/water - Wind and water transport seeds, spores, and smaller organisms native species- organisms that naturally live in an areaExample: Evergreen trees 2. Other moving things - People move plants and animals. exotic species- (AKA - invasive species) species that are transported to a new area Examples: opossum, scotch broom, English ivy Limits1. Physical barriers - water, mountains, deserts - hard to cross 2. Competition - New organism has to find niche to survive. 3. Climate - Temperature determines if a species can survive.

Clarifying ?s Information Page # Summary: Recycling in Ecosystems water cycle - a continuous process where water from the Earth’s surface, to the atmosphere, and back again Process 1. evaporation  2. condensation  3. precipitation - Liquid water absorbs energy and changes to water vapor. - Water vapor changes to a liquid - droplets collect around dust particles to form clouds. - Water vapor condenses. Clouds grow “heavy.” Water falls back to Earth. evaporation condensation precipitation Nitrogen cycle - organisms moving from one place to another How? dispersal 1. Wind/water - Wind and water transport seeds, spores, and smaller organisms native species- organisms that naturally live in an areaExample: Evergreen trees 2. Other moving things - People move plants and animals. exotic species- (AKA - invasive species) species that are transported to a new area Examples: opossum, scotch broom, English ivy Limits1. Physical barriers - water, mountains, deserts - hard to cross 2. Competition - New organism has to find niche to survive. 3. Climate - Temperature determines if a species can survive.

This PowerPoint was created by Tim Paterek from Charlene Shea’s lecture notes. All pictures came from Google Image Search. To fall within the Fair Use Guidelines, this PowerPoint must be used within the confines of the classroom and may not be published back onto the Internet unless the pictures are removed.