1. Matter Cycling in Ecosystems

2.  PA Standards  3.1.12.E: Unifying Themes  3.1.12.A: Unifying Themes  4.2.12.C: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources “All things come from earth, and to earth they all return.” - Menander (342-290 B.C.)  Evaluate change in natural and physical systems.  Describe how changes in physical and biological indicators reflect changes in systems.  Analyze the factors that influence the availability of natural resources.

3. Key Questions  What happens to matter in an ecosystem?  What are the major nutrient cycles?  What limits growth in an ecosystem?  How do nutrients cycle through ecosystems?

4. What happens to matter in an ecosystem?

5. MATTER CYCLING IN ECOSYSTEMS  Nutrient Cycles: Global Recycling  Global Cycles recycle nutrients through the earth’s air, land, water, and living organisms.  Nutrients are the elements and compounds that organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce.  Biogeochemical cycles move these substances through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms.

6. What are the major nutrient cycles?

7. © Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP Nutrient Cycles  Nutrient cycles  Natural processes that involve the flow of nutrients from the abiotic to the biotic and back again.  Nutrient cycles involve  One–way flow of high–quality energy high–quality energy from the sun through from the sun through the environment. the environment.  Recycling of crucial elements. crucial elements.

8. N, P, & K are among the major nutrients © Brooks/Cole Publishing Company / ITP Fig. 5–15

9. What limits growth in an ecosystem?

10. Factors That Limit Population Growth  Limiting Factors  Availability of matter and energy resources can limit the number of organisms in a population.

11. How do nutrients cycle through ecosystems?

12. Mini-Project: Nutrient Cycle  Major Soil Nutrients:  Carbon  Nitrogen  Phosphorus  Sulfur  Potassium  You will research the following:  The roles of the nutrient in an ecosystem (at least 4).  Is it a limiting factor? If so, describe how.  A diagram of the cycle.  Explanation of the main processes of the cycle (each part of the cycle).  Human and natural influences on the cycle (at least 5 total).  Does the nutrient contribute to eutrophication?  Limit the use of words on your slides. Focus on using diagrams and images.

13. Review Key Questions  What happens to matter in an ecosystem?  What are the major nutrient cycles?  What limits growth in an ecosystem?  How do nutrients cycle through ecosystems?

14. Thought Problem  Why do farmers not need to apply certain nutrients, such as carbon, to grow crops but often need to add fertilizer, such as nitrogen and phosphorus?

15. Lab  Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil