Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Boxes
- Preface
- Prologue Environmental changes and ecosystem effects: two historical examples
- Section I History and concepts
- Section II Ecosystem structure and function
- Chapter 4 Ecosystem structure: site factors, soil and vegetation
- Chapter 5 Energy and water
- Chapter 6 Plant production
- Chapter 7 Soil organic matter dynamics
- Chapter 8 Organisms and ecosystem processes
- Chapter 9 Element cycles
- Chapter 10 Principles
- Section III Ecosystem dynamics at different time scales
- Section IV Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations
- Appendix 2 Glossary
- Appendix 3 Some useful values and symbols used to represent them
- Appendix 4 Information and data on selected ecosystems
- References
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Chapter 9 - Element cycles
from Section II - Ecosystem structure and function
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Boxes
- Preface
- Prologue Environmental changes and ecosystem effects: two historical examples
- Section I History and concepts
- Section II Ecosystem structure and function
- Chapter 4 Ecosystem structure: site factors, soil and vegetation
- Chapter 5 Energy and water
- Chapter 6 Plant production
- Chapter 7 Soil organic matter dynamics
- Chapter 8 Organisms and ecosystem processes
- Chapter 9 Element cycles
- Chapter 10 Principles
- Section III Ecosystem dynamics at different time scales
- Section IV Applications
- Appendix 1 Abbreviations
- Appendix 2 Glossary
- Appendix 3 Some useful values and symbols used to represent them
- Appendix 4 Information and data on selected ecosystems
- References
- Index
- Plate section
- References
Summary
A major characteristic of terrestrial ecosystems is element cycles. We first discuss different modes of cycling based on the nature of the participating processes. Cycling is then presented for two different scales – local and global, respectively. The following elements are treated in detail: carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulfur. Cycling in a temperate Norway spruce forest gives an insight into details and a comparison of cycling characteristics of ecosystems of major biomes in different climates – arctic, boreal, temperate and tropical – provides the broad picture. Major methods for measuring the different elements are also presented.
A major function in terrestrial ecosystems is the cycling of nutrients or mineral elements. A number of processes are responsible for the gradual changes in organic and inorganic materials, which eventually lead to the release of elements in forms that can be taken up by plants; thus maintaining the production of plant matter and sustaining life for other organisms in the ecosystem. Components of these cycles were discussed in Chapters 6 and 7 in relation to plant growth and soil organic matter turnover. Here we will consider the complete cycles of the major elements.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Terrestrial Ecosystem EcologyPrinciples and Applications, pp. 151 - 199Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011