Zam zam university Course Name: Soil Fertility & Fertilizer Stunent Name : Abdullahi Bayadir Abdirahman Faculty: Agriculture Science Batch: Five Semester: Four Date: 19/5/2024 Lecture: Zakaria Sheikh Qasim 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 1
Introduction Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we're going to explore a fundamental concept in ecology known as the nutrient cycle. This cycle describes how essential elements circulate through ecosystems, supporting life and maintaining environmental balance ." 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 2
Nutrient cycle The term “nutrient cycle” or “biogeochemical cycle” refers to the movement or exchange of nutrients among the living and nonliving constituents of an ecosystem . The phrase “ biogeochemical cycles ” refers to the interactions between organic and inorganic elements and focuses on the chemistry and motion of chemical elements and molecules. Nutrient cycling is the process through which components change into different forms and then return to their original state. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 3
Cont …. The standing state of the soil is the number of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, etc. that are present in it at any particular time. The nutrients in the soil are present in a standing state; they are taken up by plants, often referred to as producers, and converted into organic matter. Organic matter is the means through which nutrients from producers are transferred to the higher trophic level. Numerous factors, including biotic, abiotic, chemical, and physical ones, are involved in the cycling of nutrients. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 4
Importance of Nutrient Cycle All biological things are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. These components are essential for the existence of life. Recycling and fertilizer replacement is essential for sustainability. The following are some reasons why the nutrition cycle is important: It is necessary for the transformation of nutrients from one form to another so that different species can use them. For instance, before nitrogen from the air can be used by plants, it must be fixed, turning it into ammonium and nitrate. The transfer of nutrients from one place to another for use, such as from air to soil or water. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 5
Cont … The role of nutrient cycles is in keeping the ecosystem in balance by storing nutrients for later use. Through nutrient cycling, living things communicate with the abiotic elements of their environment. The relationship between living and nonliving entities is largely mediated by the food cycle. So, it stands to reason that the nutrient a cycle is the most significant ecological process. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 6
Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycle Energy flow, which refers to both the food chain and the food web , can be described as the movement of energy from one trophic level to another. It is well recognized that the energy flow in an ecosystem is unidirectional, with heat being transferred from one trophic level to another. Here, sunlight is regarded as the best possible source of energy. The transport of nutrients from the physical environment to living organisms and back to the environment is known as “ nutrient cycling ,” and it is a cyclical process. Where nutrients are recycled further converted into various forms, and then used again on Earth . 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 7
Types of Nutrient Cycle Depending on their reservoirs, an ecosystem exhibits one of three different nutrient cycles. Gaseous Cycles: The atmosphere and ocean serve as the primary chemical storage spaces in these cycles. These non-mineral compounds are used in this kind of cycle. Examples of this type of nutrient cycle include the Nitrogen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen cycles. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 8
Cont … 2. Sedimentary Cycles: Soil and rocks serve as the primary chemical storage spaces in these cycles. Mineral compounds are part of these cycles. Sedimentary cycles include the cycles of phosphorus and sulfur. 3 . Hydrological Cycle : The reservoir in this cycle could be in the soil or the atmosphere. One illustration of this kind is the water cycle. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 9
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Carbon Cycle The carbon cycle is one of the most significant scientific concerns right now. Probably in the news, you have heard of global warming or climate change. Changes in the carbon cycle are to blame for the rise in global temperatures. Between living beings, the Earth, and the atmosphere, carbon is transferred through the carbon cycle. For growth and the creation of new structures, trees absorb carbon dioxide. Animals consume plants and take the carbon in. When living things decompose, their carbon returns to the atmosphere and oceans. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 11
Cont … Geological activity eventually causes the carbon to be compressed, forming reservoirs of fossil fuels like coal . The fact that fossil fuels are being mined more quickly than they are being replenished is one of the major issues we face today. We emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when we burn them to produce energy, which contributes to global warming. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 12
Carbon Cycle Methods Carbon cycle: is a building block of life, found in all organic compounds. The carbon cycle includes several key processes: Photosynthesis: Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and convert it into glucose. Respiration: Animals and plants release CO2 back into the atmosphere through respiration. Decomposition: Decomposers break down dead organisms, returning carbon to the soil and atmosphere. Combustion: Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon into the atmosphere 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 13
This diagram illustrates how carbon moves between the atmosphere, oceans, living organisms, and the earth. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 14
Nitrogen cycle Life cannot exist without nitrogen. Nitrogen must be transformed into other organic molecules before it can be consumed by living things. Nitrogen is changed into other forms in a variety of ways, including: Nitrifying bacteria change ammonia into nitrate, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria change atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Plants take up this nitrate that has been transformed. Lightning can immediately transform atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 15
Cont … The proteins and amino acids of deceased organisms are broken down by decomposers Denitrification is the process by which the denitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrogen and nitrates into nitrous oxide. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 16
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Oxygen Cycle Both plants and animals contribute to the atmospheric oxygen cycle. You probably already know that humans and many other species depend on oxygen. Our bodies use the oxygen we breathe in to produce energy through a process known as cellular respiration. We breathe out carbon dioxide, which is released as a waste product during this process. As they produce food and oxygen during photosynthesis , plants take up carbon dioxide. Once the oxygen has been released, the cycle once more begins. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 18
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Hydrologic or Water Cycle Life depends critically on the water to exist. The water cycle facilitates the exchange of water between the atmosphere, land, sea, and living things and their ecosystems. The hydrologic cycle, sometimes known as the water cycle , includes several processes such as evaporation, transpiration, cloud formation, and precipitation. The steps in the hydrologic cycle, often known as the water cycle, are as follows 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 20
Cont … Water is essential for all living organisms. The water cycle includes: Evaporation : Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers evaporates into the atmosphere. Condensation : Water vapor cools and condenses to form clouds. Precipitation : Water returns to the earth as rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation. Infiltration : Water soaks into the soil, replenishing groundwater. Runoff : Water flows over the land, returning to rivers, lakes, and oceans. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 21
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Interconnectedness of Cycles These cycles do not operate in isolation. For example, the water cycle aids in the transport of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Plants, which are part of the carbon cycle, depend on nitrogen and phosphorus to grow. When they die, decomposers break them down, releasing nutrients back into the soil and atmosphere. 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 23
Human Impact on Nutrient Cycles Human activities significantly impact these nutrient cycles: Pollution : Industrial and agricultural runoff adds excess nitrogen and phosphorus to water bodies, causing eutrophication. Deforestation : Reduces the carbon sequestration capacity of forests, increasing atmospheric CO2. Fossil Fuel Combustion : Increases atmospheric CO2, contributing to climate change. Fertilizer Use : Alters the nitrogen and phosphorus balance in soils and waterways. Conservation efforts aim to mitigate these impacts by promoting sustainable practices." 5/19/2024 24 abdullahi bayadir
Conclusion In summary, the nutrient cycles are vital for sustaining life on Earth. They ensure the continuous supply and recycling of essential elements. However, human activities can disrupt these cycles, leading to environmental challenges. It is our responsibility to adopt sustainable practices to protect and preserve these natural processes." 5/19/2024 abdullahi bayadir 25