Ecosystems 3 Nutrient Cycle

Nutrient Cycle

Nutrient – a substance (element or compound) that promotes growth and health in living things

Plants and animals absorb nutrients from gas or soluble salts

Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen are needed in large quantities – these are known as macronutrients

Trace elements such as magnesium, sulphur and phosphorous are called micronutrients

E.g. Carbon Cycle

Nutrient Cycle BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Gain from weathering Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Gain from precipitation Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway

Biomass BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from weathering Gain from precipitation

Soil BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from precipitation

Litter BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from weathering Gain from precipitation

Uptake Pathway: Absorption and take-up of elements from soil by plant roots BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Gain from precipitation Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway

Fallout Pathway: Death of plants and animals and the addition of nutrients to the litter store BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Gain from precipitation Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from weathering

Decay Pathway: Decomposition of litter to humus and return of nutrients to soil BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Gain from precipitation Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from weathering

Gain from Weathering: Chemical elements added to soil by weathering of rocks BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Gain from precipitation Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from weathering

Gain from Precipitation: Additional nutrients from precipitation, lightning or wind-blown dust etc. BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from precipitation Gain from weathering

Loss by Runoff and Leaching: N utrient removal through the erosive movement and chemical action of water. BIOMASS SOIL LITTER Uptake Pathway Loss by leaching Loss by runoff Decay Pathway Fallout Pathway Gain from precipitation Gain from weathering

Positive Human Impacts