Principles of Ecology PT3

Matter

anything that takes up space and has mass

Nutrient

chemical substances that an organism needs to obtain in order to survive

Biogeochemical cycle

involves processes occurring in the soil, water and the atmosphere

What happens in the water cycle

liquid evaporates, turns into clouds, then is rained back to where it started

Why is the water cycle important

Its how plants and animals stay hydrated

Where does the water cycle happen

everywhere where there is water

What is involved in the water cycle

condensation, precipitation, and evaporation

condensation

gas to liquid

precipitation

water falling back to ground

transpiration

evaporation from trees

evaporation

evaporation from water

what happens in the nitrogen cycle

changes organic material into a form plants can use

what is involved in the nitrogen cycle

nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification

why is the nitrogen cycle important

its an essential nutrient

where does the nitrogen cycle happen

the atmosphere, soil, water, plants, animals and bacteria

nitrogen fixation

capture and conversion of nitrogen into a form that is useable by plants

denitrification

process in which bacteria convert fixed nitrogen back into nitrogen gas

nitrification

ammonia or ammonium to nitrite
nitrite to nitrate

What happens in the carbon cycle

reusing carbon atoms

what is involved in the carbon cycle

carbon atoms

where does the carbon cycle take place

atmosphere and organisms

why is the carbon cycle important

allows the planet to remain hospitable for life

combustion

the process of burning something

deforestation

clearing a wide area of trees

respiration

breathing

photosynthesis

turn light into food

what happens in the Phosphorus cycle

Plants take up inorganic phosphate from the soil

why is the Phosphorus cycle important

essential nutrient

where does the Phosphorus cycle take place

ocks, water, soil and sediments

what is involved in the Phosphorus cycle

rocks, water, soil

organic materials

anything that was alive and is now in or on the soil