Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling

Vocabulary flashcards about decomposition and nutrient cycling.

Decomposition

The key process of nutrient recycling in ecosystems that breaks down chemical bonds in organic molecules, releases energy, releases carbon dioxide and water, and converts organic compounds into mineral nutrients.

Nutrient Cycling

The mineralization (converted to inorganic forms e.g., NH4) of organic nutrients by microbial decomposers.

Mineralization

The process through which microbial decomposers convert nitrogen and other elements from organic compounds into inorganic forms.

Immobilization

The uptake and assimilation of mineral nutrients by microbial decomposers.

Rhizosphere

The region of the soil where plant roots function; an active zone of root growth, uptake, and death.

Soil Microbial Loop

The process of plants providing carbon to microbial decomposers in the rhizosphere, enhancing decomposition of soil organic material, and predator remobilization of mineral nutrients for plant uptake.

Nutrient Spiraling

In streams and rivers, the process where nutrients are continuously transported downstream in a cycle of uptake, turnover, and flow.

Leaching

The process where highly water-soluble compounds are washed out of organic matter and lost to the system.

Detritus

Dead organic matter.

Litterbags

A primary method used to study the decomposition rate of plant leaves and woody materials

Microbial decomposers

Secrete enzymes into tissues to break down organic compounds then absorb them (bacteria and fungi)

Invertebrate detritivoures

Organisms that fragment detritus (dead organic matter)