A biogeochemical cycle that occurs between the water on earth and in the atmosphere. Some of the processes included are transpiration, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and accumulation.

The evaporation of water from the leaves of plants

A biogeochemical cycle that occurs mostly between plants and animals. Some of the processes involved are cellular respiration, photosynthesis, combustion, and decomposition.

Organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organisms and put nitrogen back into the soil.

A biogeochemical cycle that occurs mostly underground, where bacteria transform ammonium into nitrates, which are used by plants to make amino acids. Some processes involved include, nitrogen fixation, denitrification, and nitrification after mixing with rainwater.

The measure of the total dry mass of organisms in a given area.

A diagram that compares energy used by producers, primary consumers, and other trophic levels.

A sequence that links species by their feeding relationships. It only follows the connection between one producer and a single chain of consumers within an ecosystem.

A model that shows the complex network of feeding relationships and the flow of energy within and sometimes beyond and ecosystem.

Organisms that eat only plants.

The levels of nourishment in a food chain.

Organisms that eat only animals.

Organisms that eat both plants and animals. (ex. Kangaroo rat)

Organisms that eat detritus, or dead organic matter. (ex. millipede)

A process that converts ammonia into nitrates and nitrites.

Water that travels from the atmosphere to the ground

A process that converts nitrates in the soil back into atmospheric nitrogen gas.

The cycles that move water, carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, and nitrogen through living and non-living parts of the ecosystem.

A type of bacteria found living in the soil or on root nodules. They convert nitrogen gas into ammonia.

The study of the interactions among living things and between living things and their surroundings.

Must eat to gain energy.

A group of different species that live together in one area.

Organisms that get their energy by eating other living things or once-living resources, such as plants or animals. (aka heterotrophs)

A major regional or global community of organisms, usually characterized by the climate conditions and the plant communities that thrive there.

To make food or energy.

Includes all of the organisms as well as the climate, soil, water, rocks, and other nonliving things in a given area.

Organisms that get their energy from non-living sources, meaning they make their own food. (aka-autotroph)

Living things such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria

Process used by all living organisms that uses energy from carbohydrates and releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Non-living things, such as moisture, temperature, wind, sunlight, and soil.

Converting inorganic carbon, as in carbon dioxide, to organic carbon, as in sugar.

The assortment, or variety, of living things in an ecosystem. The amount of this is dependent upon many factors like temperature or rain. (Rainforests are high in this)

The burning of fuels that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

A plant process that uses energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.

A biogeochemical cycle that takes place mostly at and below ground level. It describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Some of the processes involved are weathering and runoff. It is local, not global and is limited to water, soil, and sediment.