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Carbon and water cycles in ecosystems

Ecology • Organisation of an ecosystem

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into glucose in plant biomass.
  • Arrows on diagrams indicate the direction of carbon uptake into biomass.
  • Respiration by plants, animals, and decomposers converts organic carbon back into carbon dioxide, with arrows showing the flow from biomass to the atmosphere.
  • Combustion of fossil fuels and plant material converts stored organic carbon into carbon dioxide, increasing atmospheric CO2.
  • Decomposition breaks down dead organisms, returning carbon to the atmosphere or soil as microbial respiration occurs.
  • Diagrams label sinks, such as fossil fuels and biomass, and flows like photosynthesis and respiration, clarifying cause-and-effect relationships.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

Why do diagrams use arrows between stores and processes?

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Arrows depict direction of movement or conversion, illustrating cause-and-effect relationships between processes and stores.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Photosynthesis fixes atmospheric carbon into plant biomass; respiration and combustion return carbon to the atmosphere.

Evaporation and transpiration move water into the atmosphere; condensation and precipitation return it to the surface.

Decomposers recycle carbon and mineral ions from dead organisms back to abiotic pools.

Temperature, moisture, and oxygen limit decomposition rates.

Aquifers are underground layers that store groundwater long-term.

Diagrams display sinks and flows; arrows indicate cause-and-effect relationships in cycles.

Deforestation reduces carbon sinks and transpiration, increasing atmospheric CO2 and disrupting local water balance.

The water cycle involves physical state changes; the carbon cycle involves chemical transformations between carbon compounds.

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