Nutrient Cycling
Review Activity
1. You are given one of the biogeochemical cycles. Put the name of this cycle on
the top of your poster and using your textbook complete the following
procedures.
2. Construct a cyclical diagram that shows the natural ways the atmosphere
exchanges your nutrient with abiotic and biotic organisms including soil, water,
plants, animals and/or bacteria.
3. On your poster identify the names of the chemicals and/or write the chemical
reactions that show how the nutrient changes from one form of matter to another.
4. On your poster write 4 questions that can be answered from what you have
constructed. Your questions must emphasize the following, how the nutrient is
stored, the different forms of the nutrient and the reactions involved that are
responsible for creating the different forms and natural influences on the cycling
of this nutrient.
You will now switch to another groups poster and do the following;
1. Examine the poster and using your text see if you can both verify the information
and/or determine if anything is incorrect. Answer the groups four questions (on
the poster). Discussion of questions to follow.
2. Using different colors, construct an additional cyclical diagram on the new groups
poster that shows human activities and their influence on the cycling of this
nutrient.
3. Write 4 questions that can be answered regarding this additional information of
human impacts on nutrient cycling.
You will now switch again and complete the following;
1. Examine the poster and using your text see if you can both verify the information
and/or determine if anything is incorrect. Answer the groups four questions (on
the poster). Discussion of questions to follow.
2. Read pgs 86 and 87 and summarize changes in Nutrient Cycles and its effect on
Biodiversity with respect to this final poster.
Summary Questions
1. What is the main source of carbon in the carbon cycle? Source of Nitrogen, in N2
cycle? Phosphorous in phosphorous cycle?
2. What is the name of the process by which plants take up carbon from the
atmosphere?
3. Write the formula equation for #2.
4. Define eutrophication and list two ways humans contribute to this process.
5. What is the name of the process by which Nitrogen is made available to biotic
organisms?
6. Describe the process of nitrification? Explain why is it necessary?
7. Give three ways in which CO2 is returned to the atmosphere.
8. Give two ways in which humans negatively impact the carbon cycle.
9. What is the name of the chemical process by which animals incorporate carbon?
How is it different than photosynthesis?
10. How is phosphorous stored? And describe the process by which it is made
available to producers.
11. Carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere in 3 ways, name the processes?
Why is this important?
12. Give a positive impact humans have on the phosphorous cycle and two negative.