Nutrient Cycles Poster Option
The goal of the project is to allow you to get a better understanding of
biogeochemical cycling by investigating a specific nutrient cycle.
Biogeochemical cycles to choose from:
 Water
 Carbon
 Nitrogen
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
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Phosphorous
Sulfur
Calcium
Some concepts you may be aware of:
 Life is an endless game of creating, using and transforming carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
 There can be none of these molecules without carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous,
sulfur, and others
 Nutrient atoms exist as parts of several different kinds of chemical substances.
 Decomposition bacteria and other decomposers provide crucial activity.
 The main structural components (energy, chemicals, and organisms) of an
ecosystem are linked by matter recycling and the flow of energy from the sun,
through organisms, and then into the environment as low-quality heat.
A suggestion is to start by searching the internet for biogeochemical cycles or a
specific nutrient cycle. In your textbook there are descriptions of all of the cycles
listed above. Your poster must be a composite of all your research (e.g. many sources
into one).
The grade for the poster is based on:
Appearance
400
o Title, appealing lay-out, size of poster 30 cm x 30 cm, name on front
How human activities affect the cycle
400
o How humans intervene in the earth’s biogeochemical cycles
Description of the matter cycle
400
o A description of biological, lithospheric, hydrologic, atmospheric flow the
nutrient and its chemical forms
Description of how the nutrient cycle connects forms of life
400
o An analysis of how the nutrient cycle connects past, present and future
life.
Appropriate graphic(s)
400
o Graphs, charts, pictures or photographs that convey useful and/or
appropriate information related to your chosen case.
Total
2000
If you choose to complete a poster, the grade for this poster project will constitute
40% of your Unit 2 test grade.
The poster is due at the beginning of the period September 26.
Nutrient Cycles Poster Option—Grade
Appearance
/400
o Title, appealing lay-out, size of poster 30 cm x 30 cm, name on front
How human activities affect the cycle
/400
o How humans intervene in the earth’s biogeochemical cycles
Description of the matter cycle
/400
o A description of biological, lithospheric, hydrologic, atmospheric flow the
nutrient and its chemical forms
Description of how the nutrient cycle connects forms of life
/400
o An analysis of how the nutrient cycle connects past, present and future
life.
Appropriate graphic(s)
/400
o Graphs, charts, pictures or photographs that convey useful and/or
appropriate information related to your chosen case.
Total
/2000
Nutrient Cycles Poster Option—Grade
Appearance
/400
o Title, appealing lay-out, size of poster 30 cm x 30 cm, name on front
How human activities affect the cycle
/400
o How humans intervene in the earth’s biogeochemical cycles
Description of the matter cycle
/400
o A description of biological, lithospheric, hydrologic, atmospheric flow the
nutrient and its chemical forms
Description of how the nutrient cycle connects forms of life
/400
o An analysis of how the nutrient cycle connects past, present and future
life.
Appropriate graphic(s)
/400
o Graphs, charts, pictures or photographs that convey useful and/or
appropriate information related to your chosen case.
Total
/2000