Cycles
Nutrient cycles play a part in the cool desert ecosystem.
The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is passed on throughout the ecosystem in many ways. Primary producers use carbon dioxide to perform photosynthesis. This process results in carbon-containing sugar that is passed on when consumers eat producers. Consumers produce carbon themselves through cellular respiration. Using the sugar from food, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Decomposers also play a part in the circulation of carbon. They break down wastes from producers and consumers, and these remains contain carbon. Finally, sedimentary rock contains carbon from the decomposed organisms in the ground.
The Phosphorus Cycle
Phosphorus also circulates through the environment. It can be contained in cell membranes and the DNA and RNA of organisms. Most phosphorus is found in rocks and is released into the water through weathering and natural disasters. Plants then take in this phosphorus from the water through their roots. Consumers take in phosphorus when they eat these plants or drink water themselves. Phosphorus is transferred to decomposers from the remains of these organisms. Finally, the phosphorus ends up in sediment to become rock once again.
The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen is a third nutrient that moves through the environment. It is found in the atmosphere and must be fixated by lightning or nitrogen-fixing bacteria in order to be used by the rest of the ecosystem. Nitrogen in the ground can be used by plants once it undergoes nitrification by decomposers. In nitrification, ammonia from the soil becomes nitrite and nitrate ions for producers and consumers to use. Finally, through denitrification, nitrogen returns to the atmosphere.
The pictures of the nutrient cycles were based off of the images from the environmental science textbook.