Section 2.2 Notes

2.2 Cycling Matter

• Matter moves from biotic elements into abiotic elements in a cycle.
• Decomposers are the engine of this cycle

Many abiotic elements move through cycles:

• Water
• Carbon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Phosphorus
• Nitrogen

The cycling of matter is a series of steps that allows abiotic elements to be used over and over again.

1. Abiotic elements (nutrients) in soil are absorbed and used by producers; this forms organic matter (the plants)
2. Consumers eat the plants and absorb the organic matter and nutrients
3. Consumers digest food and produce organic waste
4. Decomposers break down organic waste into abiotic elements that producers can use
5. The cycle begins again

This cycle allows for a constant supply of abiotic elements for organisms in an ecosystem.

• The cycling of matter is continuous
• Ecosystems are changed in small ways through this cycle
• Examples of these changes are:
• Plants grow and die
• Animals build nests and abandon them
• Animals reproduce
• Organic matter piles up