A nutrient cycle (or ecological recycling) is the movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter. The process is regulated by food web pathways that decompose matter into mineral nutrients. Nutrient cycles occur within ecosystems. Ecosystems are interconnected systems where matter and energy flows and is exchanged as organisms feed, digest, and migrate about.
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Producers: The Sahara desert food chain begins with the plants. In spite of the extreme heat and less rainfall there are many plants and animals that live here. The plants are called producers as they do photosynthesis and thus prepare food . There are many kinds of plants in the desert. They are the date palms, Cacti, thorn acacia, creosote bush, sage brush, desert milkweed, desert willow, desert tobacco and many annuals.
Primary consumers or Herbivores: In the Sahara desert food chain the next level are the herbivores which eat only plants. The plants are eaten by primary consumers called herbivores. These are small mammals like kangaroo rat , ground squirrels, certain insects, (a wild sheep), gazelle, and Arabian camels.
nutrient cycling
Weather moves gases into the atmosphere.
The two processes that sustain ecosystems and the biosphere are photosynthesis and nutrient cycling. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, while nutrient cycling involves the cycling of essential nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus through the ecosystem. These processes are linked because photosynthesis produces oxygen and glucose that support the biogeochemical cycles involved in nutrient cycling, ensuring the continuous flow of energy and nutrients through ecosystems.
Larvae in soil help break down organic matter, releasing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil. This nutrient cycling process enriches the soil, supporting plant growth and overall ecosystem health.
Moth pupae in soil contribute to ecosystem biodiversity by serving as food for predators and decomposers, which helps maintain a balanced ecosystem. Additionally, when the pupae decompose, they release nutrients back into the soil, supporting plant growth and nutrient cycling in the ecosystem.
Nutrient-poor soils are typically found in biomes such as deserts, tundras, and some types of grasslands. These biomes have limited vegetation cover and lack enough organic matter to support nutrient cycling.
Geological processes like weathering can release nutrients from rocks, increasing their availability for plants. Erosion can transport nutrients to different locations, altering local nutrient cycling patterns. Volcanic eruptions can also introduce new nutrients into ecosystems.
They are bio decomposers.Secrete extra cellular enzymes and breake macro organic molecules into inorganic molecules.
Cycling of major nutrients is necessary to maintain the balance and availability of essential elements for living organisms. Nutrient cycling helps to recycle nutrients back into ecosystems, ensuring that they are continuously available for plants and animals to use. Without proper cycling, essential nutrients would become depleted or immobilized, disrupting the health of ecosystems.
Bacteria and fungi play roles in nutrient cycling by decomposing organic matter and recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. Bacteria break down complex organic compounds into simpler forms, which can then be taken up by plants and other organisms. Fungi are also important decomposers that break down organic matter and help in nutrient cycling.
The primary sinks in the phosphorus cycle are sedimentation in bodies of water and the burial of phosphorus in rocks. These sinks can limit the availability of phosphorus for plants and other organisms, affecting nutrient cycling in ecosystems. This can lead to decreased plant growth and productivity, impacting the overall health and balance of the ecosystem.
help in nutrient cycling, provide food and shelter for various organisms, and contribute to soil formation.