Material Cycles (The Water Cycle) – 9.12, 9.14

Material Cycles – Edexcel GCSE (1BI0): Higher Tier

In this course, Dr Matt Ivory (Cardiff University) discusses material cycles, covering topics 9.12-9.15 in the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology (9-1) Higher Specification. To begin (i) we introduce the idea that material will cycle through both the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem, starting with the water cycle (Topics 9.12, 9.14); we then (ii) move onto the carbon cycle, introducing the idea that microorganisms such as decomposers play a role in material cycles (Topic 9.13); and finally (iii) we finish with the nitrogen cycle and the role of bacteria in cycling nitrogen through ecosystems (Topic 9.15).

Material Cycles (The Water Cycle) – 9.12, 9.14

In this first mini-lecture, we introduce material cycles, and how various materials will interact with both the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem in order to be recycled through them. We then take a look at the first of three cycles, the water cycle. We stress the importance of the water cycle, as well as various methods of producing potable water in areas of drought (e.g. desalination).