Dr. Ramesh GRU4L4: CYCLES: WATER, CARBON, NITROGEN

Dr. Ramesh GRU4L4: CYCLES: WATER, CARBON, NITROGEN

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences. Do Now! 1) Where does all the energy in this web come from? 2) Which animals eat gophers? 3) Which animals do wolves eat? 4) What would happen to the number of coyotes if the wolves went extinct?

Objective! The student will (TSW) illustrate the flow of water, carbon and nitrogen through an ecosystem.

Why are we learning this?! Ecology helps us understand the connections and relationships between living organisms and their physical environment.

Water!

Water!

Water!

Water Cycle!

Water Cycle! The Water Cycle is the journey that water takes from land to the sky and back again. Life on Earth depends on water.

Water Cycle! 4 Steps of thewater Cycle 1. Evaporation 2. Condensation 3. Precipitation 4. Transpiration

Evaporation!

Evaporation! Evaporation is the process of water molecules changing from a liquid to a gas state of water. Heat from the sun causes evaporation from streams, rivers, and oceans.

Condensation! Condensation happens when the water that has evaporated from the Earth s rivers, lakes and oceans comes into contact with something cold and turns into liquid water. This is why clouds form.

Condensation!

Condensation! Condensation is the process of water changing from water vapor back to liquid. Clouds are formed from condensed water droplets.

Precipitation!

Precipitation!

Precipitation! Precipitation occurs when the condensed water vapor builds up in clouds and fall to Earth. Precipitation can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail.

Transpiration! Transpiration is the process of water being evaporated from the leaves and stems of plants

Transpiration! Water evaporating off of plants.

The Water Cycle! Natural processes recycle water. Life on Earth depends on water. Condensation Precipitation Evaporation Transpiration Evaporation Runoff Oceans Groundwater

Guided Practice! Which step of the water cycle?

EVAPORATION

TRANSPIRATION

PRECIPITATION

CONDENSATION

Carbon Cycle!

Carbon Cycle! The Carbon Cycle is the process by which carbon is recycled on Earth. All living things are made of carbon.

Carbon Cycle!

Carbon Cycle! Decomposers (fungi, bacteria, mold) are organisms that break down dead organisms and waste (poop). Decomposers return compounds and nutrients to the soil and air.

1. There is a lot of CO 2 in the air. It is taken out of the air by plants through photosynthesis Plants use Carbon Plants use CO 2 and sunlight to make their own food and grow Photosynthesis

Breathing 2. Animals release carbon back into the atmosphere by breathing out CO 2 (respiration) Animals and plants also give carbon back by decomposition

Creating Fossil Fuels 3. When the plants and animals die and decompose, carbon is returned back to soil Over millions of years, layers of dead plants form fossil fuels Carbon in the dead plants forms coal

Original Source of Energy In the oil..

Burning Fossil Fuels Humans burn fossil fuels for energy 4. Burning fossil fuels releases Carbon back into the atmosphere

Burning other Organic Material Burning wood or any other natural material increases the amount of carbon released back into the atmosphere..

Why is there EXTRA CO 2? When we burn fossil fuels, TOO MUCH carbon dioxide is put into the atmosphere This causes GLOBAL WARMING The gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth s atmosphere

Destroying the Rainforest What happens when we destroy our forests? Increase in the amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere Decrease in the amount of oxygen production

DIRECTIONS Voices at a Level Zero Complete the Guided Practice Answer in complete sentences Raise your hand if you have questions

Where is carbon found? How do plants contribute to the carbon cycle?

Whiteboards What do humans and animals do (2 things) that puts carbon back into the atmosphere or the Earth?

Whiteboards What do plants do that put carbon back into the Earth?

Whiteboards When carbon is in the Earth for millions of years, what does it turn into?

Whiteboards What do we do with fossil fuels?

Whiteboards What happens when we use too many fossil fuels?

EOC Question Which human activity most likely contributed to the rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide? A. The extinction of animal species B. The destruction of natural wetlands C. The planting of additional farm crops D. The burning of fossil fuels

EOC Question Which human activity most likely contributed to the rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide? A. The extinction of animal species B. The destruction of natural wetlands C. The planting of additional farm crops D. The burning of fossil fuels

What would likely happen if a change in climate caused a large percentage of the world s plants to die? A. Fossil fuels would form at a slower rate B. Combustion (burning) of organic materials would occur at a slower rate C. The level of CO2 would increase rapidly D. Organisms would produce oxygen as a waste product

What would likely happen if a change in climate caused a large percentage of the world s plants to die? A. Fossil fuels would form at a slower rate B. Combustion (burning) of organic materials would occur at a slower rate C. The level of CO2 would increase rapidly D. Organisms would produce oxygen as a waste product

Nitrogen Cycle!

Nitrogen Cycle! The Nitrogen Cycle is the process that removes nitrogen from the atmosphere and releases it back into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Fixation! Nitrogen Fixation is the process of bacteria changing nitrogen gas into a usable form of nitrogen.

What is Nitrogen? N for Nitrogen on the Periodic Table Necessary building block in living things Air = 78% Nitrogen gas Free Nitrogen not combined with any other element

Why do we need All living organisms need Nitrogen? nitrogen in order to build proteins and build DNA Most animals get the nitrogen they need by eating plants.

Nitrogen must be combined with something else in order for it to be used Most organisms can NOT use the nitrogen in the air Nitrogen must be fixed

Nitrogen Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle: nitrogen is removed from the atmosphere, fixed in the soil by bacteria, incorporated in other living things, and then released back into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Fixation The process of changing free nitrogen gas (from the air) into a usable form of nitrogen. Performed by bacteria

Bacteria Some of these bacteria live in bumps called nodules on the roots of certain plants.

What kind of plants? Bacteria live in the roots of plants called legumes Example: Clover, beans, peas, alfalfa, and peanuts

Check for understanding Team talk: There is a ton of Nitrogen in the air, what has to happen to this Nitrogen before plants can use it?

Check for Understanding Team talk: How do animals get Nitrogen?

Mutualism Both species benefit The bacteria feed on the plant s sugar The plant is supplied with nitrogen in the useable form

Now What? Once bacteria in the roots of plants have fixed the nitrogen, the nitrogen can be used by organisms to build proteins and other complex substances. Plants absorb the nitrogen Animals eat the plants

Recycling Decomposers break down these complex compounds in animal wastes and in the bodies of dead organisms. Nitrogen is now returned to the soil Nitrogen can be recycled over and over again Bacteria can also return free nitrogen back to the air.

Human Influence 1. Nitrogen enhanced fertilizer Chemical fertilizers Is this considered organic? 2. Cow manure has lots of nitrogen! What do cows eat? 3. Pollution

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Voices at a Level Zero Mark your answers on your white board Raise your hand if you have questions

Check for Understanding How does Nitrogen go from being in the atmosphere to being absorbed by plants?

Check for Understanding How does Nitrogen go from being in plants and animals back into the environment again?

Where are bacteria located in plants that fix the Nitrogen?

How do plants get Nitrogen?

Whiteboards How do animals get Nitrogen?

Whiteboards How is Nitrogen returned to the environment?

Whiteboards When Nitrogen decomposes, what two places does it go to?

Whiteboards What is one thing that humans do to affect the Nitrogen cycle?

DIRECTIONS Voices at a Level Zero Complete the Independent Practice Answer in complete sentences Raise your hand if you have questions

Question Nitrogen fertilizer is often added to soil to increase the growth of crops. Which of these ecosystems would most likely be harmed by the use of nitrogen fertilizer? A. Forest B. Pond C. Park D. Meadow

Answer In this example, water ecosystems would be harmed the most from fertilizer runoff, making Choice B, a pond, the correct answer. Fertilizer would increase the growth of water plants and algae, thus reducing the resources for some living organisms in the pond.

Exit Ticket! DIRECTIONS: Copy and answer the following questions. 1) What are the three steps of the water cycle? 2) What is the role of decomposers in the carbon cycle? 3) What is the role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle?