Biogeochemical Cycles of Race Rocks

BACKGROUND:
From the file Structure and Function of Ecosystems, we come now to that component which represents part of the Functional Aspects, the Material or Biogeochemical Cycles. In this file we will refer you to some of the cycles which are operating in ecosystems, but there are others of course, wherever minerals or ions that become part of the nutrients for plants are taken up by the plants and thus passed on through the other trophic levels or levels of nourishment.
Normally, most texts and many websites have diagrams of the cycles. ( just Google the cycle name) The approach of presenting a completed diagram is rather boring, as it is more interesting to just look around yourself in the ecosystem in which you are living and using other diagrams as models you will easily be able to build up the cycle using local examples yourself.
OBJECTIVES: After doing this assignment students will be able to:a) Construct digital image biogeochemical cycles using images of local examples.
b) Explain how biogeochemical cycles are impacted by anthropogenic activities.
c) Discuss your own responsibilities in terms of biogeochemical cycles.
d) Evaluate how you can help in dealing with the problem of sustainability of Materials cycles.

Many references on the internet give an opportunity to investigate ideas about how humans can be involved responsibly in sustainable cycles. Google “MSustainable Materials management”They deal with the issue that human activities are seriously affecting the materials cycles of the earth. What are examples of this and how can you personally do something about this?

CARBON CYCLE

Cup coral

Mussel shell

Diesel fuel

Anthropogenic Carbon

Anthropogenic Carbon

Dead kelp drift on the shore

Dead kelp drift on the shore

 

photosynthesis in a tide pool

rockfish

Live bull kelp

Anthropogenic Methane

Anthropogenic Methane

Dead seal- eaten by eagles and gulls

phytoplankton

Native grasses

Native grasses


Smoke stacks (pulp mill) across the Strait in Port Angeles

NITROGEN CYCLE

Eagle feces

air

lightning strikes

Anthropogenic Nitrous

Beach pea–Legume

Elephant seal soil– urine.

Elephant seal feces

Fish bones

PHOSPHOROUS CYCLE

Cabezon fish

bird bone

Canada geese

goose droppings

vegetation

phosphorous

lichen on rock

Fish bone

CALCIUM CYCLE

black oystercatcher eggs

pouring concrete

Bird Skeleton

coralline pink algae

California mussels

chiton with calcareous shell plates

seawater

Dead coraline algae

WATER CYCLE

 

water

clouds

tidepool

sun

native grasses

frost

seawater

rain

snow

drinking water

fog

Oystercatcher bathing