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.
Gretchen Medhurst
Jaycee Emard
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.
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.
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.
They are bio decomposers.Secrete extra cellular enzymes and breake macro organic molecules into inorganic molecules.
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.
Photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient cycling are three key processes that sustain life on Earth. Photosynthesis allows plants to convert sunlight into energy, respiration releases energy from food for living organisms, and nutrient cycling ensures that essential elements like carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are recycled through ecosystems.
help in nutrient cycling, provide food and shelter for various organisms, and contribute to soil formation.
Autotrophic organisms, such as plants and algae, play a critical role in energy flow within ecosystems as they are able to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. This energy is then transferred to heterotrophic organisms when they are consumed. Additionally, autotrophs are essential for nutrient cycling as they take up nutrients from the environment and serve as the foundation for nutrient transfer to other organisms in the ecosystem through the food chain.
Fungi play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem. They also form mutualistic relationships with plants, aiding in nutrient uptake and enhancing plant resilience. Additionally, fungi contribute to the decomposition of dead organisms, helping to maintain ecosystem balance.
The most basic processes in an ecosystem include photosynthesis (production of food by plants using sunlight), consumption (feeding on other organisms for energy), decomposition (breaking down dead organic matter), and nutrient cycling (movement of essential elements through living organisms and the environment).