Biogeochemical cycles

biogeochemical cycles

how matters on earth flows through different parts of the environment

ecosystem cycles

carbon, water, phosphorus, nitrogen

Carbon cycle

the movement of carbon through the ecosystem and atmosphere

human affect on carbon cycle

rapid increase of CO2 in the atmosphere

water cycle

movement of water in the ecosystem and atmosphere

human effect on water cycle

global warming, hydroelectric dams, tapping aquifers

Phosphorus cycle

movement of phosphorus in the ecosystem

Unique feature of phosphorus cycle

no gas state/ atmosphere

human effect on phosphorus cycle

the increased use to phosphorus in agriculture, and entering in water runoff

Nitrogen Cycle

movement of nitrogen in the atmosphere

human effect on nitrogen cycle

chemically fixing with fertilizers

Age structure

relative number of individuals of each defined age group

Total fertility rate (TFR)

the average number of children a woman would have in her reproductive years

ecological footprint

the amount of productive land needed to support a person

weather

short term variation in temperature

climate

the long term average of weather conditions in a region

climate change

long term climate patterns are changing

greenhouse effect

heat is trapped in the environment