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Ecosistems - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Water from oceans, rivers, and lakes is heated by the sun and turns into vapor, rising into the atmosphere
    - - Plants release water vapor into the air through small openings in their leaves
    - - Water vapor cools and condenses into tiny droplets, forming clouds
    - - Water falls back to the Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
    - - Some water soaks into the ground (infiltration) while excess water flows over the surface (runoff) into bodies of water.
    - - The water cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystems, supporting plant and animal life, and regulating climate
  - - - Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter (glucose) using sunlight.
    - - Animals and plants release CO2 back into the atmosphere through respiration as they metabolize organic matter for energy.
    - - Decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing CO2 back into the soil and atmosphere.
    - - Burning fossil fuels and biomass releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2.
    - - Some carbon is stored in oceans, forests, and soil, helping to regulate atmospheric CO2 levels.
    - - The carbon cycle is essential for regulating Earth's climate and supporting life by providing the carbon necessary for organic molecules.
  - - - Similar to the carbon cycle, plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, releasing it into the atmosphere.
    - - Animals and humans consume oxygen for cellular respiration, producing CO2 as a byproduct.
    - - Decomposers also consume oxygen while breaking down organic matter, contributing to the cycle.
    - - The oxygen cycle is vital for the survival of aerobic organisms and maintaining atmospheric oxygen levels.
  - - - Certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), which can be used by plants.
    - - Ammonia is converted into nitrites (NO2-) and then nitrates (NO3-) by nitrifying bacteria, making nitrogen available to plants.
    - - Plants absorb nitrates and incorporate nitrogen into organic molecules (proteins, nucleic acids).
    - - Decomposers break down organic matter, releasing ammonia back into the soil.
    - - Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates back into N2 gas, returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.
    - - The nitrogen cycle is crucial for producing amino acids and nucleic acids, which are essential for all living organisms.
  - - - Plants (producers) capture solar energy through photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy stored in glucose.
    - - Herbivores (primary consumers) eat plants, transferring energy up the food chain. Carnivores (secondary consumers) eat herbivores, continuing the transfer.
    - - At each trophic level, energy is lost as heat due to metabolic processes, limiting the number of trophic levels in an ecosystem.
    - - Decomposers break down dead organisms, returning energy and nutrients to the soil, which supports new plant growth.
    - - The energy cycle is fundamental for sustaining life, as it governs the flow of energy through ecosystems and supports all biological processes