MODULE 7: CYCLING MATERIALS IN AN ECOSYSTEM
Materials in the ecosystem cycle constantly. This cycling
materials includes the Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Cycle, Water
Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle.
The Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Cycle
Organisms use and produce gases in photosynthesis and
respiration. These gases flow through organisms and the
environment in a cyclic process called Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide
Cycle. The oxygen-carbon cycle shows the interdependence
among organisms for these important gases
When plants produce food through the process of
photosynthesis, they use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
Oxygen produced by plants in photosynthesis is used by
animals when they respire; animals in turn produce carbon
dioxide. Like animals, plants also carry out the process of
respiration. During respiration, plants use oxygen and produce
carbon dioxide.
Animals take in oxygen from the atmosphere and give off
carbon dioxide during respiration.
This occurs day and night. Plants give off oxygen and take in
carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis during the
day. At night, when plants are in darkness and cannot
photosynthesize, “they breathe” like animals. They take in
oxygen and give off carbon dioxide
Plants and animals depend on each other for these important
gases. Plants produce oxygen needed by animals. In turn,
animals produce carbon dioxide needed by plants.
The Water Cycle
Water circulates around the environment-the oceans,
land, air, and living organisms. The cycling process involves
evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. When solar
energy warms the Earth’s surface, water evaporates from the
oceans, rivers, lakes, and land. The escape water through leaf
pores (transpiration) adds water vapor to the atmosphere.
Upon cooling at higher altitude, water vapor condenses and
forms clouds. Eventually, precipitation occurs in the form of rain
and snow. On
land, plant roots absorb water. Some water seeps downwards
and replenishes the ground water. The excess eventually
overflows into the oceans and the water cycle continues
The Nitrogen Cycle
About 79 percent of the gases in the atmosphere is
made up of nitrogen gas. Organisms use nitrogen to build
proteins and nucleic acids. Some bacteria convert nitrogen to
ammonia. This process is called nitrogen fixation. Nitrogen-
fixing bacteria live in soil and are abundant in the nodules of
legumes such as mung beans.
WEEK 8 MODULE 8: WAYS TO MINIMIZE HUMAN
SCIENCE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
8
Humans are the top consumers in many food pyramids. To
increase food production, they use methods that have an effect
on food chains and food webs. Some of the farming practices
are as follows
1. Monoculture- is the agricultural practice of growing a single
crop, plant, or livestock species, variety, or breed in a field or
farming system at a time. Vast tracts of land are converted to
rice farms, sugar farms, and coconut farms
Advantages:
1. Specialized production Disadvantages:
2. Technological advances [Link] to soil quality
3. High efficiency 2. Increased use of Fertilizers
4. Greater yields of some produce
3. Susceptibility to Pests.
5. Simpler to manage 4. Increased use of Pesticides and herbicides
6. Higher earnings
5. Damage to the Environment
6. Loss of Biodiversity
[Link] Susceptibility to diseases
2. Herbicides and Insecticides
Farmers spray their crops with insecticides to kill
insect pests, and with herbicides to kill weeds. Insecticides are
a type of pesticide that is used to specifically target and kill
insects. Some insecticides include snail bait, ant killer, and
wasp killer. Herbicides are used to kill undesirable plants or
“weeds”. Some herbicides will kill all the plants they touch,
while others are designed to target one species.
Chemicals destroy other organisms, including beneficial insects
and soil organisms which help in decay.
Many insect pests become resistant to chemicals. This
may lead to the use of increased amounts of pesticide.
3. Chemical Fertilizers- refers to any number of synthetic
compound substances created specifically to increase crop
yield. ... Other fertilizers are potassium. Complex (or
blended) chemical fertilizers often contain a mix of ammonium
phosphate, nitrophosphate, potassium, and other nutrients
Monocrops usually require large amounts of chemical
fertilizers. Continuous and uncontrolled use of chemical
fertilizers may increase soil acidity, thus destroying soil
structure. Findings show that more fertilizers are needed for
the same amount of yield after years of monoculture
Fertilizers may run off to rivers, ponds and lakes. Accumulation
of fertilizers may cause the death of these bodies of water.
Fertilizers in the water will cause increased growth of algae and
other water plants. They cover the water’s surface and block
the passage of oxygen. Thus, less oxygen is dissolved in water.
Furthermore, when algae and aquatic plants die, decay
microorganisms use oxygen. Dissolved oxygen becomes
insufficient, causing fish and other aquatic animals to die.
Ways to minimize human impact on the environment
1. Grow a variety of crops instead of only one crop.
2. Use insects to fight other insects. This is known as biological
control of insect pests.
3. Instead of chemical fertilizers, try organic farming using
natural fertilizers for crops. Some natural fertilizers are compost
and animal manure.