Ecological Cycles

Three types of cycles Water Cycle Water Cycle Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle

Water Cycle Water is one of the most important and well studied molecule on earth. Water is one of the most important and well studied molecule on earth. Remember the rule of 3’s. Remember the rule of 3’s. –A human can live  3 minutes without oxygen  3 days without water  3 weeks without food

Water Cycle Describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the earth. Describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the earth. Water is found in three common phases Water is found in three common phases –Liquid –Ice –Gas

Water Cycle The ocean is the largest reservoir on earth holding 97% of the available water. The ocean is the largest reservoir on earth holding 97% of the available water. Only 1% of the water on earth is available for drinking Only 1% of the water on earth is available for drinking

Water Cycle Water from the ocean EVAPORATES as vapor into the air and is carried in clouds in the atmosphere. Water from the ocean EVAPORATES as vapor into the air and is carried in clouds in the atmosphere. PRECIPITATION allows water to fall back to earth as snow, rain, or Ice. PRECIPITATION allows water to fall back to earth as snow, rain, or Ice. Melting allow that precipitation in colder climates to release that water as SURFACE RUNOFF. Melting allow that precipitation in colder climates to release that water as SURFACE RUNOFF.

Runoff seeps into the earth and is called GROUNDWATER. This then feeds the soil until it ends up in the oceans and the cycle repeats. Runoff seeps into the earth and is called GROUNDWATER. This then feeds the soil until it ends up in the oceans and the cycle repeats. Runoff can also enter streams, rivers, lakes etc. These all flow toward the oceans to restart the cycle. Runoff can also enter streams, rivers, lakes etc. These all flow toward the oceans to restart the cycle.

Transpiration- Transpiration- –Water given off by plants as vapor.

Nitrogen Cycle Movement of nitrogen within the bioshpere and atmosphere. Movement of nitrogen within the bioshpere and atmosphere. Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas (N 2 ) Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen gas (N 2 ) Very VERY few organisms can use N 2 Very VERY few organisms can use N 2

Nitrogen Cycle Despite its abundance in the atmosphere Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient for plant growth. Despite its abundance in the atmosphere Nitrogen is a limiting nutrient for plant growth. Plants can only use nitrogen in two forms Plants can only use nitrogen in two forms –Ammonium ion (NH 4 +) –Nitrate (NO 3 -) –Gain their needed nitrogen from dead stuff (detritus)

Nitrogen Cycle Decomposers chemically modify nitrogen from ammonia to a salt in a process known as nitrogen-fixation. Decomposers chemically modify nitrogen from ammonia to a salt in a process known as nitrogen-fixation. Nitrogen can also be fixed by lightning! Nitrogen can also be fixed by lightning!

Nitrogen Cycle Assimilation is the process in which plants absorb nitrogen Assimilation is the process in which plants absorb nitrogen Ammonification is when nitrogen from animal waste or decaying bodies is returned to the soil by bacteria and other decomposers. Ammonification is when nitrogen from animal waste or decaying bodies is returned to the soil by bacteria and other decomposers. Nitrification is the process where ammonia is converted nitrate (NO 3 -). Nitrification is the process where ammonia is converted nitrate (NO 3 -).

Nitrogen Cycle Corn Fields!!!! Corn Fields!!!!

Carbon Cycle Biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. Carbon is EVERYWHERE! Carbon is EVERYWHERE!

Carbon Cycle In atmosphere carbon is found as gaseous CO2. In atmosphere carbon is found as gaseous CO2. –Carbon can be taken from the atmosphere in many ways.  Photosynthesis  Acid Rain  Organisms convert carbon to tissues for hard body parts such as shells

Carbon Cycle There are 4 major Reservoirs: There are 4 major Reservoirs: –Atmosphere –Terrestrial Biosphere (Earth) –Oceans- Largest pool of carbon near surface –Sediments - Rocks

Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis= The reason you’d be better off dating a tree than a person! Photosynthesis= The reason you’d be better off dating a tree than a person!

Carbon Cycle Carbon can also be added to this cycle Carbon can also be added to this cycle –Industry –Cars –Methane Gas

Succession The slow process of change that involves the orderly replacement of one community by another. The slow process of change that involves the orderly replacement of one community by another.

Succession Primary Succession- Begins in an area that has not been previously occupied by a community. Primary Succession- Begins in an area that has not been previously occupied by a community.

Succession Pioneer Community- The first established group of organisms to inhabit an area. Pioneer Community- The first established group of organisms to inhabit an area.

Succession Secondary Succession- Succession that begins after and existing community has been destroyed, for example, by a fire. Secondary Succession- Succession that begins after and existing community has been destroyed, for example, by a fire.

Succession Eventually, after years and years, a stable community will become established in the ecosystem. This is referred to as a CLIMAX COMMUNITY. Eventually, after years and years, a stable community will become established in the ecosystem. This is referred to as a CLIMAX COMMUNITY.