nutrient cycling

Question 1

what kind of service is nutrient cycling

Answer 1

supporting service

Question 2

what is nutrient cycling

Answer 2

the movement of elements within and between the living (biotic) and non-living (biotic) parts of the ecosystem

Question 3

what drives nutrient cycling

Answer 3

photosynthesis

Question 4

describe how photosynthesis drives nutrient cycling

Answer 4

plants use simple carbon chains formed during photosynthesis for energy to build plant components. during the building of complex compounds, other nutrients are acquired from the soil incorporated into plant tissue

Question 5

during the building of complex organic compounds what some other nutrients are incorporated into plant tissues

Answer 5

N,P,K,S,Ca,Mg,etc..

Question 6

eventually, plant tissue is returned to the soil and microorganisms decompose the organic materials what happens as decomposition proceeds

Answer 6

1) the nutrients previously incorporated into plant structures are released 2) nutrients are exchanged between living organisms through the food web but can also be mineralized into inorganic forms 3) nutrients are continually cycling from the living to nonliving realms