1. Matter Cycles
Objective 3
Chapter 3-3

2. The Water Cycle
Water evaporates (or transpirates from plants) into the atmosphere.
Water condenses (clouds), and then precipitates (rains) back down to the Earth.
Water runs into streams and rivers (runoff) or is absorbed into the ground (seepage) to become ground water.
Water is taken up by the roots of plants or it makes its way to the oceans, flowing above ground or below ground.

3. The Water Cycle cont.

4. The Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and decomposition take up and release Carbon and Oxygen.
Volcanic eruptions and erosion release Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere and oceans
Burial and decomposition of dead organisms store Carbon underground (coal & oil).
Human activities, such as cutting and burning forests, and burning fossil fuels, release Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere.
Global Warming…

5. The Carbon Cycle

6. Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Fixation changes the nitrogen in the air into nitrogen life can use in the soil.
Lightning, bacteria fertilizer
Once Nitrogen has been fixed in the soil it is then taken up by producers (plants).

7. The Nitrogen Cycle

8. Phosphorus
It is not abundant in the atmosphere, so it follows a simple cycle.
soil  producer  herbivore  carnivore  decomposer  back to soil

9. The Phosphorus Cycle

10. Limiting Nutrient
Each ecosystem has at least 1 important nutrient that limits it’s growth
Desert = Water
Rainforest = Nitrogen
Ocean = Phosphorus
The limiting nutrient determines the ecosystems carrying capacity
Carrying capacity = the maximum amount of life an ecosystem can support