Ecosystem cycles, pools, and fluxes

Here are a few resources to help you review some of the Ecosystems concepts covered in this section

Ecosystem Cycling

• Energy Flow Through Ecosystems & Primary Productivity 

• Regulation of Ecosystem Functions, Limiting resources

   

General patterns of energy flow for a) forest, b) grassland, c) plankton, d) stream:

Essentials of Ecology by Townsend et al.

 

Water Cycle

Here's a diagram of the water cycle that you can use to quiz yourself. You may check your answers here.

Useful links:

• Groundwater flow, discharge, & infiltration 
• Follow a drop through the water cycle   
• Water and human health: Water pollution,  Water-related diseases, and Water conservation policies.
• Case study: Chesapeake Bay watershed maps.
  

Biogeochemical cycles

 For a general review of some of these cycles, click here.

Review of greenhouse gases.  This website has a good description of the nitrogen cycle; links on the left sidebar proved more in-depth description.

Nutrient budget components in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems; Inputs = blue, outputs = black. (Essentials of Ecology by Townsend et al).

Nitrogen Cycle (Learner.org)

Phosphorus cycle (Learner.org)

A comparison of major nutrient cycles (you don't need to know the Sulfur cycle). Source: Townsend et al.

Happy World Water Day!

Because of increased demands and changes in climate patters, by 2050 a third of the people on Earth may lack clean, potable water.  

"The average American lifestyle is kept afloat by nearly 2,000 gallons of H2O a day—twice the global average."

What's your water use footprint?   

Take this quiz to find out approximately how much water you use every day.  My total score was 1,278 gallons/day, a bit better than the average American, but there is always room for improvement!

Neat water facts from National Geographic - 

how much water does it take to make....

• Wheat production accounts for 12% of world agricultural water use.
• 1,799 gallons of water are used to produce 1 lb. of beef. 
• 880 gal. water is used to create 1 gal. of cow's milk.
• 468 gal. of water are used to produce 1 lb. of chicken.
• It takes nearly 690 gal. of water to make 1 gal. of beer. 
• Over 1,000 gal. of water are used to make 1 gal. of wine. 
• One cotton t-shirt requires 713 gal. of water.
• 2.6 gal. of water is used to make one sheet of paper. 
• The making of a 0.3 lb hamburger uses over 650 gal. of water. 
• The supply chain for making one slice of bread requires 11 gal. 

Visit this National Geographic website to learn more about water conservation.