Exploring Carbon Cycling in Ecosystems
Delve into the intricate pathways of carbon cycling through ecosystems using engaging activities and visuals. Understand the crucial role of carbon atoms as they move through organic matter pools and the atmosphere. Learn about the processes involved and the overall significance of carbon cycling in maintaining ecosystem balance.
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Presentation Transcript
Carbon: Transformations in Matter and Energy Environmental Literacy Project Michigan State University Ecosystems Unit Activity 3.3 Tracing Carbon Through An Ecosystem 1
Unit map You are here 2
Reviewing the Carbon Dice Game In the Carbon Dice Game, we followed individual carbon atoms into and out of carbon pools. We found that the number of carbon atom visits to different organic matter pools followed the same pattern as the organic matter pyramid. Number? of? Times? One? Carbon? Atom? Visited? Each? Pool? 120? 100? 80? 60? 40? 20? 0? 3 Atmosphere? Producers? Herbivores? Carnivores? Soil?
Answering the Carbon Cycling Question We can use the Carbon Dice Game to answer the Carbon Cycling Question and explain the organic matter pyramid. 4
The Big Picture: Matter Cycles in Ecosystems Matter cycles through an ecosystem from the atmosphere -> organic molecules (photosynthesis) -> atmosphere (cellular respiration). 6
The Details: Carbon Cycling through Organic Carbon Pools Carbon cycles through different organic carbon pools in an ecosystem, including: Producers Herbivores Carnivores Soil organic carbon 7
Use the Graphic Organizer to Explain Carbon Cycling in the Carbon Dice Game 1. Name the processes involved in carbon cycling through ecosystems by filling in the blanks. 2. Draw arrows to trace the cycles that your carbon atom took through the ecosystem. 8
Carbon Cycles for one atom in the Carbon Dice Game The arrows show how one carbon atom cycled in the ecosystem. Each cycle starts and ends with CO2 in the atmosphere. 9
Where is the organic matter pyramid in the graphic organizer? Can you find the organic matter pyramid? (Hint: It s upside down and just a part of all the movements of carbon atoms through organic matter pools.) 10
How does answering the Carbon Cycling Question help to explain organic matter pyramid? Carnivores Herbivores Producers How does carbon cycling explain the small amount of organic carbon that reaches carnivores? 11
Reviewing Patterns 1. Producers are the only organisms that can change inorganic carbon to organic carbon through the process of photosynthesis. 2. All other organisms depend organic carbon from the Producer pool to live and grow through digestion and biosynthesis. 3. Life processes (eating, defecating, dying) move carbon from one pool to another. 4. All organisms use food for energy, sending carbon back to the Atmospheric CO2 Pool through cellular respiration. 5. The combination of these live processes explains why the organic matter pyramid looks the way it does. 12
