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Cycles in Ecosystems
Term | Definition |
---|---|
cycle | to move through a set of steps that repeat |
water cycle | the continuous movement of water between earth's surface and the air |
evaporation | when water heats up and changes from a liquid to a gas |
condensation | when a water vapor cools and changes from a gas to a liquid |
precipitation | When any form of moisture falls from the cloud and back to earth's surface (rain, sleet, snow, and hail) |
runoff | when water flows over earth's surface |
ground water | water that soaks through rocks and soil |
transpiration | when water evaporates from leaves of plants. |
collection | when water gathers in ponds, lakes, and oceans |
carbon cycle | The ongoing exchange of carbon among living things |
nitrogen cycle | The way nitrogen moves between the air, soil, plants, and animals |
renewable resource | A resource that can be replaced; it can be used again and again |
nonrenewable resources | A resource that cannot be replaced or reused |
compost | A mix of dead or decaying matter that returns nutrients to the soil |