1. The Cycling of Matter in Ecosystems

2. Warm up
What is a possible effect of high nutrient levels in a water system?
A. fewer algae
B. healthier fish
C. algal bloom
D. hotter water

3. The amount of matter on Earth does not change
Cycles
The amount of matter on Earth does not change
It is recycled from organisms to the environment
Earth’s ecosystem cycles carbon, nitrogen and water

4. The Carbon cycle
Carbon cycle- the moving of carbon among the air, the ground, and plants/animals
Carbon is found I every living thing and in the atmosphere
Cellular respiration releases carbon dioxide in the air as a waste product
Producers use the carbon dioxide in photosynthesis
Decomposers break down dead organisms in decomposition and releases carbon dioxide in the air
Combustion- burning wood or other organic material releases carbon

5. Carbon cycle

6. The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen cycle- moves nitrogen through the environment
Most of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas
All living things use nitrogen to make things like proteins but most cannot use nitrogen gas
Nitrogen fixation is a process performed by bacteria that changes nitrogen in the air into forms that are useful
Denitrification- removes nitrogen from soil and other material and releases it into the air

8. The water cycle
Water cycle- continuous movement of water from earth’s surface to the atmosphere
Evaporation- water is heated by the sun which changes it from a liquid to a gas
Transpiration- water is released through tiny opening in plant leaves (stomata)
Water vapor rises and cools and changes from a gas to a liquid during condensation
Precipitation- water falls to earths surface as rain, sleet, snow or hail
Runoff- water that flows over land

9. Water Cycle