![]() Marine biodiversity is usually higher along coasts in the Western Pacific, where sea surface temperature is highest, and in the mid-latitudinal band in all oceans. These tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10% of earth's surface and contain about 90% of the world's species. īiodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth, it is usually greater in the tropics as a result of the warm climate and high primary productivity in the region near the equator. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic ( genetic variability), species ( species diversity), and ecosystem ( ecosystem diversity) level. In this photo, there are also leaf lichens and mosses.īiodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. When plants and animals die or when animals excrete wastes, the nitrogen compounds in the organic matter re-enter the soil.A sampling of fungi collected during summer 2008 in Northern Saskatchewan mixed woods, near LaRonge, is an example regarding the species diversity of fungus. Animals obtain these compounds when they eat the plants. Plants take up nitrogen compounds through their roots. The transformations that nitrogen undergoes as it moves between the atmosphere, water, the land and living organisms make up the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is also the most abundant element in our planet’s atmosphere. ![]() For example, it is needed to make proteins, DNA, RNA and chlorophyll, which plants need to be able to carry out photosynthesis to make food. As part of these life processes, nitrogen is transformed from one chemical form to another. It is an important part of many cells and life processes. Nitrogen is a crucial component for all life. Trees work as a carbon sink – the carbon becomes trapped in the trees as carbohydrates and other organic compounds. New Zealand’s One billion trees programme (2018–2027) will help offset some of the effects of climate change by growing trees to soak up carbon dioxide. This has enhanced the greenhouse effect and is contributing to climate change. However, human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels have greatly increased the levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This is why it is called a greenhouse gas. In a similar way to the glass of a greenhouse, it traps the heat from escaping. ![]() It prevents heat from escaping, which helps warm up the Earth’s atmosphere. Bacteria and fungi also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they decompose dead organisms.Ĭarbon dioxide is an important gas in our atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then released to the atmosphere. Plant and animal cells produce carbon dioxide during cellular respiration. Animals get carbon by eating plants or by eating other animals.Ĭarbon is returned to an inorganic state in a number of ways. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis, converting it from inorganic carbon to organic carbon. The carbon cycleĬarbon moves through the Earth’s system in many different ways. Deforested areas can become prone to both droughts and flooding. When it rains, instead of the water being soaked up through tree roots, there is increased run-off and nutrient leaching. At a local level, the land can become drier and less stable. The temperate rainforests of New Zealand, such as those on the West Coast, play a role in cycling huge amounts of water.ĭeforestation in one area can affect the weather in another area, because if trees are cut down, less water evaporates into the atmosphere and there is subsequently less rain. The water vapour accumulates in the atmosphere before precipitating back to the Earth as rain, sleet or snow. ![]() The rate of transpiration depends on leaf shape and size, number of stomata and waxiness of the leaf surface as well as the local weather and climate conditions.ĭense rainforests can often be seen to have ‘steam’ arising from the canopy – this steam is transpired water vapour. Transpiration is where plants evaporate water vapour through tiny pores or openings in their leaves called stomata. The major influence of trees on the water cycle is through transpiration. As trees are larger than other plants, their contribution is significant. Plants play a key role in maintaining the balance of each of these cycles. Three of these processes are cycles – the water cycle, the nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle. Plants are important in several key processes involved in the interacting systems of the Earth, including the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. ![]()
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