The Different Cycle in Nature Cyeling of Materials in the Ecosystem : a eae an ecosystem involves looking at interactions between living things ae ine et euving environment that surrounds them. Life depends upon the mon paged for habitat, as well as energy and materials. In this module, material cycles will be explored as critical processes that sustain life in an ecosystem. Materials in the ecosystem cycle constantly. This cycling of materials includes the Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide cycle, the water cycle and the Nitrogen cycle. ‘The Oxygen- Carbon Dioxide Cycle Organisms use and produce gases in photosynthesis and respiration. These gases flow through organisms and environment in a cyclic process called the oxygen- carbon dioxide cycle. The oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle shows the interdependence among organisms for these important gases. Oxygen cycle is the cycle whereby atmospheric oxygen is converted to carbon dioxide in animal respiration and regenerated by green plant in photosynthesis. The process of respiration in plants involves using the sugars produced during photosynthesis plus oxygen to produce energy for plant growth. In many ways, respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis. In the natural environment, plant produced their own food to survive. They use the carbon dioxide (CO,) from the environment to produce sugars and Oxygen (0,), which can later be utilized as a source of energy. While photosynthesis takes place in the leaves and stems only, respiration occurs in the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant. The process of respiration is represented as follows: CsH1206 + 602 + 6CO2 + 6H20 +32ATP When plants photosynthesize, they use carbon dioxide and produces oxygen. Oxygen produced by plants is photosynthesis is used by animals when they respire; animals in turn produce carbon dioxide. Like animals, plants also carry out the process of respiration. During respiration, plants use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. Animals take in oxygen from the atmosphere and give off carbon dioxide during respiration. This occurs day and night. Plants, however give off oxygen and Bataan | Science 8 + Quarter 4- Weeks 5-8 Page 31bet in carbon dioxide when they photosynthesize during the day. At night, When » ants are in darkness and cannot photosynthesize, they “breathe” just like animals cy take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. 2 Notice that plants and animals depends on each other for these important Eicce, Plants produce oxygen needed by animals. In turn, animals produce carbon dioxide needed by plants. The Oxygen- Carbon Dioxide Cycle Sarg Dero tec The Water Cycle Water is essential to life on Earth. In its three phases (solid, liquid and gas), water ties together the major parts of the Earth’s climate system- air, clouds, the ocean, lakes, vegetation, snowpack and glaciers. The water cycle shows the continuous movement of water within the Earth and Atmosphere. It is a complex system that includes many different processes. Liquid water evaporates into water vapor, condenses to form clouds, and(run-off), into the ground (infiltration and Percolation), and through the ground (ground water). Ground water moves into plants (plant uptake) and evaporates from plants into the atmosphere (transpiration). Solid ice and snow can turn directly into gas (sublimation). The opposite cane also take place when water vapor becomes solid (deposition). Water circulates around the environment- the oceans, land, air and living organisms. The cycling process involves evaporation, transpiration, condensation and precipitation. When solar energy warms the Earth's surface, water evaporates from the oceans, rivers, lakes and land. The escape of water through leaf pores (transpiration) add water vapor to the atmosphere. Upon cooling at higher altitude, water vapor condenses and forms clouds. Eventually, precipitation occurs in the form of rain or snow. On land, plant root absorb water. In tropical rainforests, over 90% of the moisture is cycles through transpiration in plants. Some water seeps downwards and replenishes the groundwater. The excess eventually overflows into the oceans and the water cycle continues. The Water Cycle (The Hydrologic Cycle) > ye — Condensation Precipitation Condensation Hite ora Transpiration Surface Runoff Evaporation The Nitrogen Cycle ; d The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which Nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmosphere, terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The conversion of Nitrogen can be carried out through both biological and physical processes. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include: fixation, ammonification, nitrification and denitrification. The majority of Earth's atmosphere is atmospheric nitrogen, making it the largest source of nitrogen..r biological use, leading to a However, atmosphere nitrogen has limited availability fo scarcity of useable nitrogen in many types of ecosystems. In general, the nitrogen cycle has five steps: 1. Nitrogen Fixation (N2 to NH3 / NH4+ or NO3-) 2. Nitrification (NH3 to NO3-) Se oral tl 3. Assimilation (incorporation of NH3 and NO3- into biological tissues) 4. Ammonification (organic nitrogen compounds to NH3) 5. Denitrification ( NO3- to N2) Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen fixation is the process by which i to Ammonia (NH3 or NH4+) via biological fixation or Nitrate (NO3-) through high ~ energy physical processes. Nitrogen gas is extremely stable and a great desl of energy is required to break the bonds that join the two nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen gas can be converted directly into NO3- through processes that exert a tremendous amount of heat, pressure and energy. Such processes include combustions, volcanic action, lightning discharge and industrial means. However, a greater amount of biologically available nitrogen is naturally generated via biological conversion of N2 to acteria are capable using the NH3/NH4+. A small group of bacteria and cyanob: enzyme Nitrogenase to break the bonds among the molecular nitrogen and combine gaseous nitrogen (N2) is converted it with hydrogen Nitrification Nitrification is a two-step process in which NH3/NH4+ is converted to NO3- First, the soil bacteria Nitrosomonas and Nitro coccus convert NH3 to NO2- and then another soil bacterium. Nitrobacteria, oxidizes NO2- to NO3-.These bacteria gain energy through these conversion, both of which require oxygen to occur. Assimilation Assimilation is the process by which plants and animals incorporate the NO3- and Ammonia formed through nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Plants take up these forms of Nitrogen through their roots, and incorporate them into plants proteins and nucleic acids. Animals are then able to utilize nitrogen from the plant tissues. Ammonification Assimilation produces large quantities of organic nitrogen including proteins, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Ammonification is the conversion of organic nitrogeninto ammonia, The ammonia produced by this process is excreted into the environment and is then available for either nitrification or assimilation. Denitrification Denitrification is the reduction of NO3- to gaseous N2 by anaerobic bacteria. This process only occurs where there is little to no oxygen, such as deep in the soil near the water table. Hence, areas such as wetland provide a valuable place for reduce excess nitrogen levels via denitrification process. About 79 percent of the gases in the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas. Organisms use nitrogen to build proteins and nucleic acids. Some bacteria convert nitrogen to ammonia. This process is called fixation. Nitrogen - fixing bacteria live in soil and are abundant in the nodules of legumes such as mung beans. The Nitrogen CycleWhat is It the water can influence ecosystem permafrost melting, habitat loss, aminants, and invasive species tips: //www150.statcan.ge.ca) ny food pyramids. To increase food ‘d chain and food webs. Some of n activity on land and i n acidification, air pollution, cont Impact from humai profoundly. Climate change, 0cea! eutrophication, storm water runoff, are among many problems facing ecosystem Human are the top consumers in Many production, they use methods that have effect 0 the farming practices are described as follows: MONOCULTURE : ts of land: ais ip ine cultivation of elaine erop in large areas, Vast 0 eee s. converted to rice farms, sugar farms, and coconut or aeteene ae By limiting the cultivation of different kinds of PANS many animals of their food and home. These animals, oon oh came pests move to other places. Only the insects’ pest that es be eco the area. If uncontrolled, these pest can totally wipe ou! time. : Gee Some soil microorganisms depend on specific plants for food. Eliminating these plants is harmful to the microorganisms. Since microorganism are responsible for returning plant nutrients to the soil, the cycling of nutrients for reuse of the plants is disturbed. HERBICIDES AND INSECTICIDES ‘ : ‘An herbicide is a pesticide used to kill unwanted plants. Selective herbicides kill certain targets while leaving the desired crop relatively unharmed. Some of these act by interfering with the growth of the weed and re often based on plants hormones. (https: //www.sciencedaily.com| Insecticides are substances used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicines, industry and by consumers. Insecticides are to be a major factor, behind the increase in 20%- century's agricultural productivity. Nearby all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystem; many re toxic and/or animals, some become concentrated as they spread along the food chain. (https://www.en.m.wikipedia.org) Farmers spray their crops with insecticides to kill insect pest, and with herbicides to kill weeds, However, the chemicals are also destroy other organisms, including beneficial insects and soil organisms which help in decay. Insecticides move up the food pyramid and accumulate in the body of organisms. The smallest concentration of the chemical is at the base of the pyramid occupied by producers. The amount increase toward the top. The greatest concentration is found in the top consumers such as birds, mammals and humans Many insect pests become resistant to chemicals. This may lead into the use of increased amount of pesticides. 2 Bataan | Science 8 * Quarter 4-Weeks 5:8 Page’s0CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS Monocrops usualy, 'Y Fequire; and uncontrolled use of gh S large amounts ‘ soil structure, Findings poe fertilizers a Tact eiemical fertilizers, Continuous of yield after years of Taonnctiaes More fertilizers are. a See RE aera ‘li ulture, © needed for th yunt Fertilizers may 7 r the same amor Tun off to ri may cause the death Vers, ponds ang . ‘ increased growth of siete bodies of water coe Accumulation of fertilizers an - Fertilizey block the passage Se other water pi Ts in the water will cause xygen. Thus, ant. They cover the water’s surface and Furthermore, when, ata aes oxygen is dissolved in water. oxygen. Dissolved oxygen p, Aquatic plants die, decay y i » decay microorganisms use animals to die, scome insufi session instead of just one crop. Wher simultaneously, this is al: : is practicing multicroppi ink mutual benefit of the selected crops, TN Ses ase ‘Threshing can be difficult in mul harvested together. It can take the fo: crop is planted after the first has be Indi {tiple cropping systems where crops are rm of double-cropping, in which a second a en harvested. In the Garhwal Himalaya of ‘a, a practice called baranaja involves sowing 12 or more crops on the same plot, including various types of beans, grains and millets and harvesting them at different times. Adopting the practice of multiple cropping on a large scale can help in reducing the food crises of a country. The overall cost of input decreases, cost spent on fertilizers, irrigation, labor, etc. reduce because of growing two or more than two crops on the same field. Risk of weed growth, pest and disease infestation reduces because of mutual relationship within the crop. This results in better farm management and increase income of the farmer. (https: / /www.en.m.wikipedia.org) 2. Use insects to fight other insects. This is known as Biological Control of Insects pests. ‘ Bee control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests such as insects, mites, weeds and plats diseases using other Organisms: It relies on. aan parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also fee res an active human management role. It can be an important component of integrated pest omen ae ee aca care rn bi There are three basic strategies [0 Adare ei Sa ere (importation), where a natural enemy of a pest iHere are some key reasons why organic farminj in which a large population of ‘ ‘ tation), i inductive (augmen k pest control; and inoculative to maintain natural enemies achieving control , natural enemies are administered for quic! (conservation), in which measures are taken through regular reestablishment. i logical control Ne sts, also known as biol t jatural enemies of insect’s pe eae cpuiperlsora” Blsiogieal agents, include predators, parasitoids, pathogens, ; control agents of plants diseases are most often referred to as antagonists. Biological control agents of weeds include seed predators, herbivores, and plant pathogens. (https://www.en.m.wiki -dia.ol Instead of chemical fertilizers, try organic farming using natural fertilizers for crops. Some natural fertilizers are compost and animal manure. ; Organic farming is a technique which involves the cultivations of plants and rearing of animals in natural way. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage. (https: //www.consrve-energy-future.co} 1g can be described as a step towards sustainable agriculture: 1 2. 3. 4 5. Reduces exposure to harmful chemicals. Consumes less energy Reduces Nitrogen Run-off induced Pollution |. Facilitates healthy soil formation Combats the effects of Global Warming. (https://www,suminterindiaorganics.com) Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases intrate leaching into ground water and surface water, and recycles animal waste back into the farm. These benefits are counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields (https:// www. britannica,com)