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What is the primary function of the Gaia hypothesis?
What is the primary function of the Gaia hypothesis?
According to the Gaia hypothesis, how do organisms contribute to maintaining Earth's atmosphere?
According to the Gaia hypothesis, how do organisms contribute to maintaining Earth's atmosphere?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Gaia system as described in the text?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Gaia system as described in the text?
What role do microorganisms play in the Gaia hypothesis?
What role do microorganisms play in the Gaia hypothesis?
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What is the connection between primary productivity and nutrient cycling in ecosystems?
What is the connection between primary productivity and nutrient cycling in ecosystems?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of decomposition in nutrient cycling?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of decomposition in nutrient cycling?
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Internal cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem primarily refers to:
Internal cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem primarily refers to:
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Which of the following statements accurately reflects the relationship between primary productivity and nutrient cycling?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the relationship between primary productivity and nutrient cycling?
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Why is nutrient retention in flowing-water ecosystems more challenging compared to forested ecosystems?
Why is nutrient retention in flowing-water ecosystems more challenging compared to forested ecosystems?
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Which of the following factors plays a significant role in nutrient retention in flowing-water ecosystems?
Which of the following factors plays a significant role in nutrient retention in flowing-water ecosystems?
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What primarily influences the input of nutrients in sedimentary cycles?
What primarily influences the input of nutrients in sedimentary cycles?
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What is a characteristic of both gaseous and sedimentary nutrient cycles?
What is a characteristic of both gaseous and sedimentary nutrient cycles?
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What are the three basic components shared by all biogeochemical cycles?
What are the three basic components shared by all biogeochemical cycles?
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How does precipitation contribute to nutrient input in ecosystems?
How does precipitation contribute to nutrient input in ecosystems?
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Which of the following promotes soil nutrient deficiencies affecting plants and herbivores?
Which of the following promotes soil nutrient deficiencies affecting plants and herbivores?
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What is the primary role of green plants in biogeochemical cycles?
What is the primary role of green plants in biogeochemical cycles?
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Which of the following best describes gaseous biogeochemical cycles?
Which of the following best describes gaseous biogeochemical cycles?
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What occurs during the sedimentary phase of biogeochemical cycles?
What occurs during the sedimentary phase of biogeochemical cycles?
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How do decomposers contribute to biogeochemical cycles?
How do decomposers contribute to biogeochemical cycles?
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Which nutrient cycle is characterized as a hybrid between gaseous and sedimentary cycles?
Which nutrient cycle is characterized as a hybrid between gaseous and sedimentary cycles?
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Study Notes
Living World and Nutrient Cycling
- The living world relies on the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients within ecosystems.
- Energy and nutrients are tightly linked in organic matter, one cannot be separated from the other.
- Photosynthesis is where plants use solar energy to convert CO2 into organic carbon compounds.
- Carbon and various nutrients (Table 4.1) form organic matter (plants and animals).
- The general model of energy flow through an ecosystem (Chapter 20) provides a framework for examining matter flow.
Biogeochemical Cycles
- Nutrients cycle from nonliving to living, and back, in a biogeochemical cycle (bio-"living," geo-"rocks and soil," chemical-"processes").
- Key players in nutrient cycles:
- Green plants: organize nutrients into biologically usable compounds.
- Decomposers: return nutrients to their elemental state.
- Air and water: transport nutrients between abiotic and biotic components.
- Two basic types of biogeochemical cycles:
- Gaseous: Main reservoirs are the atmosphere and oceans (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide).
- Sedimentary: Main reservoir is soil, rocks, and minerals (e.g., calcium, phosphorus). Elements are released from rocks through weathering and incorporated into sediments; cycles involve both biological and nonbiological agents; tied to the water cycle.
Nutrients Enter Ecosystems
- Nutrient inputs depend on the cycle type:
- Gaseous cycles (e.g., carbon, nitrogen): enter via the atmosphere.
- Sedimentary cycles (e.g., calcium, phosphorus): enter through weathering of rocks and minerals.
- Soil formation and characteristics impact nutrient release and retention.
- Additional sources of nutrients: precipitation (wetfall), dust particles, sea salt, and animals (dryfall).
Nutrient Cycling Processes
- Internal cycling: recycling of nutrients within an ecosystem.
- Primary productivity: determines the rate of nutrient transfer from inorganic to organic forms (nutrient uptake).
- Decomposition: determines the rate of transformation of organic nutrients into inorganic form (nutrient release).
- Climate and plant characteristics affect nutrient cycling rates (warm, wet = faster rates).
- Organisms (phytoplankton, zooplankton) also influence nutrient cycling rates in aquatic systems.
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Description
Explore the intricate relationships between energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems. Understand how photosynthesis and biogeochemical cycles contribute to the flow of matter and energy among living and nonliving components. This quiz covers concepts from Chapter 20 on energy flow and nutrient dynamics in ecosystems.
