Matter

In the Mojave Desert, like in most ecosystems, matter goes through the biogeochemical cycle, meaning that it goes through both the biosphere and the lithosphere. Plants take up nutrients from the soil, which in turn move down the food chain to consumers. When these die or secrete waste, detritus feeders break up the organic matter and return it to the lithosphere as mineral nutrients so that matter may continue cycling. This process is proof that matter cannot be created or destroyed, but rather, it can only change form. To improve understanding of the idea that matter cycles in an ecosystem, the following paragraph presents an example of the process in the Mojave Desert.

We are going to start in a little patch of healthy Mojave Desert soil, that has plentiful of Cyanobacteria and Cyanolichens. This patch is especially important because the bacteria previously mentioned contribute nitrogen to the soil that promotes plant growth which is often a limiting factor in desert biomes. Phosphorous aids to the growth of the plant and cabron is taken from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, oxygen is later released as a product into the atmosphere. The plant that is growing in this batch of nitrogen rich soil is a Creosote Bush. Due to the optimal conditions its has been living, it is pollinated and produces fruit rich in nutrients. Soon this fruit is eaten by the common Gambel's Quail. The Quail files off and poops the now digested fruit. Bacteria and fungi start working on the feces and soon decompose it, returning all the mineral nutrients once taken up by the producer to the soil. The Quail later falls prey of a Peregrine Falcon, the remaining flesh is later eaten by scavengers such as the Kit Fox. The remaining of the quail carcase will be decomposed by decomposers returning all the absorbed nutrients to the soil. When the Kit Fox and the Peregrine Falcon die they will too be decomposed following the principle of no matter if created or destroyed.