Name: ____________________________

Carbon cycle
1. Record reasons for the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
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2. Explain why this increase in CO2 is considered a problem for the Earth. What do scientists think will happen as a
result?
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3. Use the following link to continue your research on the carbon cycle:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/CarbonCycle/page4.php Select Changes in the Carbon Cycle and
Effects of Changing the Carbon Cycle to further research human impacts on the carbon cycle.
Changes in the Carbon Cycle

Effects of changing the carbon cycle

4. Consider the community you live in and using your knowledge of human impact on the carbon cycle to list some
things that could be incorporated into your green designs to lessen your communitys impact on the carbon
cycle.
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Nitrogen Cycle
Use the following links to research and record notes on the nitrogen cycle:
http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/nitrogen.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604144322.htm
List sources of anthropogenic (man-made) nitrogen.
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Effects of anthropogenic nitrogen on the environment

1. Consider the community you live in and using your knowledge of human impact on the carbon cycle to list some
things that could be incorporated into your green designs to lessen your communitys impact on the nitrogen
cycle.
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Phosphorus Cycle
Use the following links to research the phosphorus cycle.
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/516
List sources of anthropogenic (man-made) phosphorus.
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Effects of anthropogenic phosphorus on the environment

1. Consider the community you live in and using your knowledge of human impact on the carbon cycle to list some
things that could be incorporated into your green designs to lessen your communitys impact on the
phosphorus cycle.
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Water cycle
Technically humans can not alter the processes in the water cycle. We can however change the quantity and quality of
the freshwater resources available on Earth. Use the following links to research and record notes on humans and the
water cycle.
http://worldsavvy.org/monitor/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=701&Itemid=1186
http://water.epa.gov/
List sources of human impact on the water cycle and/or water quantity and quality.
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Describe the effects of changes to the water cycle on the environment.

1. Consider the community you live in and using your knowledge of human impact on the carbon cycle to list some
things that could be incorporated into your green designs to lessen your communitys impact on the
phosphorus cycle.
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now is your time shine!! You need to take the information you gathered in this class on cycles and human
impact on the cycles. You must identify one area in your community (school, home, out and about) where
the effects of humans on the cycles of matter are present. You must then design a solution to this problem.
This may be a rain garden, a rain barrel, water conservation reduction of the use of fertilizers. In order to be
successful you must:

Identify the problem and the cycle impacted

Explain, based on what you now know about the biogeochemical cycles, how these examples are impacting a
cycle(s).
Suggest how human impact on at least one of these areas could be reduced by incorporating a "green" design
element(s).
Justify why incorporating your "green" design element will help the biogeochemical cycles in your community. You
must use evidence from at least two resources to support your plan.

You may choose to present this anyway you like!

Now is your time shine!! You need to take the information you gathered in this class on cycles and human
impact on the cycles. You must identify one area in your community (school, home, out and about) where
the effects of humans on the cycles of matter are present. You must then design a solution to this problem.
This may be a rain garden, a rain barrel, water conservation reduction of the use of fertilizers. In order to be
successful you must:

Identify the problem and the cycle impacted

Explain, based on what you now know about the biogeochemical cycles, how these examples are impacting a
cycle(s).
Suggest how human impact on at least one of these areas could be reduced by incorporating a "green" design
element(s).
Justify why incorporating your "green" design element will help the biogeochemical cycles in your community. You
must use evidence from at least two resources to support your plan.

You may choose to present this anyway you like!

Now is your time shine!! You need to take the information you gathered in this class on cycles and human
impact on the cycles. You must identify one area in your community (school, home, out and about) where
the effects of humans on the cycles of matter are present. You must then design a solution to this problem.
This may be a rain garden, a rain barrel, water conservation reduction of the use of fertilizers. In order to be
successful you must:

Identify the problem and the cycle impacted

Explain, based on what you now know about the biogeochemical cycles, how these examples are impacting a
cycle(s).
Suggest how human impact on at least one of these areas could be reduced by incorporating a "green" design
element(s).
Justify why incorporating your "green" design element will help the biogeochemical cycles in your community. You
must use evidence from at least two resources to support your plan.

You may choose to present this anyway you like!