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Week 3 - Producers, Consumers, Decomposers, Food Chains and Webs, and The Water Cycle

Lesson 4


Activity 04 - LESSON 4: Matter Cycles in Ecosystems

INTRODUCTION

All ecosystems and biomes in the biosphere past, present and future are interconnected through cycles. There is no way for water, gasses, and nutrients to enter and leave the earth, therefore, they must be recycled and reused over and over again.


Required Readings

Science in Action 7
pages 44 to 46
or
Science Focus 7
page 51

LESSON A: The Water Cycle
The water that we drink has been recycled over and over again since the beginning of time. This means that the same water that existed on Earth millions of years ago is still here. The water that you drink may have been in a dinosaur or maybe in the king of England. Water is recycled very rapidly around the world so the water that falls on you may it has been in a lion or in a tree in the rain forest. The water that you breath out may save the life of a future creature that you will never see. All people animals, plants that have ever existed, and that ever will exist are connected by the water cycle.

Exercise 2.4: The Water Cycle


OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - Observing the Water Cycle

QUESTION

Is it possible to see the water that plants release during transpiration?

MATERIALS REQUIRED

2 clear plastic bags
2 elastics or a twist ties
a green plant with leaves
a branch with no leaves

PROCEDURE


1. Carefully wrap a plastic bag around the leaves of a tree, plant or the needles of an evergreen tree. Use the elastic or twist tie to attach the bag to the branch.

2. Do the same thing to a plant branch with no leaves or needles.
3. Leave the plant for 24 hours and then come back and observe.
4. Record your observations.

ACTIVITY 2.4C: Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Cycle ~ The Cycle of Life
Required Readings

Science in Action 7
pages 46
or
Science Focus 7
page 49

The Carbon Dioxide/ Oxygen Cycle is a careful balance between plants and animals. Mankind is beginning to change that balance.

Watch the following Flash animation and then answer the questions that follow. You must be connected to the Internet to view.

You must be connected to the internet to view this animation
Click here
ACTIVITY D: Matter and Nutrient Cycles
Life is created from death. Without death, life could not continue because death and then decomposition release nutrients to be used again and again. In some ecosystems the nutrients are recycled rapidly and in other ecosystems the nutrients are released very slowly. The speed at which dead plants and animals decompose and are re-used determines the quality of the soil.

Which do you think will have soil rich in nutrients and humus? A rain forest or a forest found in Alberta? Check out this Rainforest Biome web site (double click on the blue type once you are connected to the Internet) and read the sections titled "soil" and "nutrient recycling." You find this page by going to "Exploring the Rainforest." Scroll through this page and you will find it. Then answer the questions that follow.
Copyright © 2001, the Crown in Right of Alberta, as represented by the Minister of Learning, Alberta Learning, 11160 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 0L2

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