Energy Cycling in Ecosystems
Published on Nov 19, 2015
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Energy Cycling in Ecosystems
Photo by Sam and Ian
Carbon Cycle
Photo by Atmospheric Infrared Sounder
1. Plants use carbon from the air (carbon dioxide) and water and energy from sunlight to photosynthesize
Photo by szeke
2. Animals eat plants (sugar for energy) & breathe in oxygen & breathe out carbon dioxide gas
Photo by Stuck in Customs
3. Plants use carbon dioxide & animals die and decompose. Nutrients are returned to soil
Photo by treedork
This cycle is balanced, but can become unbalanced due to...
Photo by Pickersgill Reef
Humans putting more CO2 then is needed into the atmosphere.
There is 30% more CO2 in the air today than there was 150 years ago due to burning fossil fuels.
Photo by Light Brigading
This means we have more greenhouse gases
This means we have more greenhouse gases
This contributes to climate change
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen is important because it is a main component of DNA
Photo by Be-Younger.com
Plants & Animals need nitrogen, but cannot get it from the air.
Photo by Daniel Y. Go
1. Special bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonium (NH4)
Photo by Microbe World
2. Ammonium (NH4) is converted into nitrate (NO3) ions, which plants/animals can use.
Photo by Lotus Carroll
3. After all living organisms have used the nitrogen, decomposers convert nitrogen waste products back into nitrates (NO3)
Photo by ressaure
4. Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates (NO3) back into nitrogen gas ( N2) so the cycle can begin again!
Photo by Matt. Create.
This cycle is balanced, but can become unbalanced due to:
Photo by prashant_zi
Humans putting more nitrogen into the cycle with fertilizers.
Photo by Chiot's Run
Emissions from cars putting excess nitrogen into the air.
Photo by Simone Ramella
Municipal sewage discharge adding more nitrogen into aquatic ecosystems.
Photo by eutrophication&hypoxia
Untitled Slide
We have doubled the amount of nitrogen entering the land-based nitrogen cycle.
Photo by Vicente Alfonso
This depletes the ozone layer...
Photo by Green Office Engro
