Nutrient cycling

Question 1

What are the 5 essential elements / nutrients?

Answer 1

carbon, phosphorous, nitrogen, potassium, iron

Question 2

Define ‘nutrient pool’

Answer 2

the amount of a nutrient that is stored in a particular part of the ecosystem

Question 3

define ‘nutrient flux’

Answer 3

the rate at which a nutrient moves between different pools

Question 4

define ‘nutrient sink’

Answer 4

a nutrient pool where a nutrient is absorbed faster than it is released

Question 5

define ‘nutrient source’

Answer 5

a nutrient pool where a nutrient is released faster than it is absorbed

Question 6

Give 4 things the decomposition of organic matter releases

Answer 6

energy, carbon dioxide, water, inorganic nutrients

Question 7

Name 2 types of decomposers

Answer 7

microbial decomposers and detritivores

Question 8

Name the 4 types of detritivores

Answer 8

microfauna/microflora, mesofauna, macrofauna, megafauna

Question 9

Give 5 factors affecting decomposition

Answer 9

moisture (precipitation), moisture + temperature (evapotranspiration), chemical composition of soil, chemical composition of plant liter (glucose, cellulose, lignin), physical characteristics of plant litter

Question 10

What are the 3 stages of nitrogen level in litter over time?

Answer 10

leaching (organic N decrease), mineralisation (organic N decrease), immobilisation (organic N increase)

Question 11

How do you calculate net mineralisation?

Answer 11

mineralisation - immobilisation