How Do You Explain The Nutrient Cycle In An Ecosystem?
Nutrients are dissolved substances that support the growth of living things. There are several macronutrients: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon. There are many micronutrients, which living things require in very small quantities; these include iron, manganese, cobalt, zinc, silicon, copper, potassium, calcium and others. Each type of nutrient has its own cycle through an ecosystem, and each ecosystem has its own specific details. To explain a nutrient cycle to others, begin where the nutrient first enters the ecosystem and end where it leaves. Introduce the nutrient. Name it and the main forms found in the cycle. Give their chemical formulas. Briefly explain what it does for living organisms in general terms. For example: phosphorus, in the form of phosphate (PO4-), is an important component of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Describe the ultimate source of the nutrient. Explain how the nutrient first enters the ecosystem. For example: silicon, from various si
