The movement of nitrogen between the abiotic and biotic componants of an ecosystem. Leguminous plants fix nitrogen into the soil, it is then absorbed through the roots of other plants. It returned to the soil by decomposition.
1 of 12
Carbon Cycle
Carbon flows between each reservoir in an exchange called the carbon cycle, which has slow and fast components. Any change in the cycle that shifts carbon out of one reservoir puts more carbon in the other reservoirs.
2 of 12
Human Activity
The burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests and peat deposits has released much of this carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2 increaseing the greenhouse effect.
3 of 12
Nutrient Cycle
The flows in the nutrient cycle vary from place to place in their quantities, in how they are stored and in the speed the move from store to store.
4 of 12
Soil Compartment
contains minerals that come from weathered rock, and humus that comes from decomposed plant and animal materials.
5 of 12
Biomass Compartment
Contains all the living plant and animal material in the ecosystem. It takes in energy and carbon from the atmosphere and minerals from the soil.
6 of 12
Litter Compartment
On the top of the soil and is composed of dead and decaying plant and animal material.
7 of 12
Equatorial Climate
Ideal for plant growth. Biomass contains lots of nutrients. Litter broken down quickly. Low % nutrients in soil. Heavy rainfall leaches nutrients from soil.
8 of 12
Tropical Grasslands
Much less biomass in plants. High % of nutrients in litter layer because lack of moisture slows decomposition. More nutrients in soil because growth is seasonal unlike rainforest. Less leaching of nutrients because little rain and high evaporation.
9 of 12
Deciduous Forest
Nutrient flow and storage midway of other 2. Forest cover less dense so fewer nutrient in soil than rainforests. Large nutrient store in litter due to lower temperatures. decomposers carry these nutrients into the soil.
10 of 12
Biome
The climatic climax vegetation across an area of continental size, with one dominant vegetation type.
11 of 12
Leaching
Occurs when slightly acidic rainwater, drains through the soil, dissolving basic minerals and carrying them away in solution.
12 of 12
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Carbon flows between each reservoir in an exchange called the carbon cycle, which has slow and fast components. Any change in the cycle that shifts carbon out of one reservoir puts more carbon in the other reservoirs.
Back
Carbon Cycle
Card 3
Front
The burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests and peat deposits has released much of this carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2 increaseing the greenhouse effect.
Back
Card 4
Front
The flows in the nutrient cycle vary from place to place in their quantities, in how they are stored and in the speed the move from store to store.
Back
Card 5
Front
contains minerals that come from weathered rock, and humus that comes from decomposed plant and animal materials.
Comments
No comments have yet been made