Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Ecology 354 > Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling > Flashcards

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling Flashcards

1
Q

Litter decomposition

A

Produced from dead plant matter and animal matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What happens during the decomposition of litter?

A

Transformed into soil organic matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the process of litter decomposition determine?

A

The rates of nutrient recycling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How do decomposers help in nutrient cycling?

A
  • Decomposers help nutrients get added back to the soil or water, so the producers can use them to grow and reproduce
  • Most decomposers are microscopic organisms, including protozoa and bacteria
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Litter decomposition stages

A
  1. Start
  2. Fragmentation
    Leaching
  3. Microbial mineralization
    Further fragmentation
  4. Stable phase
    Lignin degradation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Fragmentation

A

The process of breaking down the raw complex materials (Done by detritivores)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Detritivores

A

Consume dead organic matter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Leaching

A

The process of releasing nutrients in the water and seeping into the soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Microbial mineralization

A

Microorganisms release gases; Nitrogen, Sulphur, Phosphorus due to decomposition and other inorganic compounds are readily assimilated by plants.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Lignin degradation

A

Most abundant organic material on Earth; it decomposes slowly

(Only fungi and bacteria can decompose lignin)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When does litter decomposition decompose at a slower rate?

A

When tissues are physically tough, with high lignin and low Nitrogen content

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When does litter decomposition decompose at a faster rate?

A
  1. Easily decomposable C compounds (sugars, starch)
  2. Warmer wet climates
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the link between decomposition and nutrient cycling?

A

Soil microorganisms either mineralize (release) or immobilize (take up) nutrients from decomposing organic matter based on their nutrient requirements and the litter quality (C : nutrient ratio)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycle primary inputs?

A
  1. Biological Nitrogen fixation
  2. Human Nitrogen fixation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycle internal cycling?

A
  1. Nitrogen mineralization
  2. Nitrification
  3. Ion exchange
  4. Uptake
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the Terrestrial Nitrogen Cycle primary losses?

A
  1. Leaching
  2. Gaseous efflux (ammonia, denitrification)
17
Q

What are the Terrestrial Phosphorous cycle primary inputs?

A
  1. Weathering of parent material
18
Q

What is the Terrestrial Phosphorous cycle internal cycling?

A
  1. P mineralization
  2. Ion exchange (sorption)
  3. Uptake
19
Q

What are the Terrestrial Phosphorous cycle primary losses?

A
  1. Leaching / erosion
20
Q

Biological nitrogen fixation

A

A process in which nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere is incorporated into the tissue of certain plants
(Inputs of weathering is more common than biological fixation)

21
Q

What is considered to be important in nutrient cycling?

A
  1. Sorption
  2. Immobilization
22
Q

Sorption

A

The retention of Phosphorous on soil particles, makes Phosphorous unavailable to plants for uptake

23
Q

Immobilization

A

The process in which nitrate and ammonium are taken up by soil organisms and therefore become unavailable to crops.

24
Q

How do humans impact nutrient cycling?

A

Fertilizer use, fossil fuel combustion, and cultivation of legume crops that exceed the total amount of biological Nitrogen fixation

25
Q

How does fertilizer impact nutrient cycling?

A

Fertilizer increases crop yields which leads to nutrient imbalance and pollution in waterways

26
Q

What happens when there are chronic nutrient inputs?

A

May stimulate Net Primary Production

Causes: Oligotrophic water bodies becomes eutrophic

27
Q

Oligotrophic water body

A

Few in nutrients - clear water

28
Q

Eutrophic water body

A

Abundant in nutrients - cloudy water

29
Q

What does eutrophication lead to?

A

Dead zones

30
Q

Are dead zones reversible in eutrophic bodies of water?

A

Yes - if nutrient inputs are reduced

31
Q

How does deforestation affect nutrient cycling? Occurs from?

A

Causes a large amount of nutrients to be lost in ecosystems

Occurs from: leaching, erosion, gaseous emission

Ecology 354 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions