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  • Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil (Spanish)
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Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil (Spanish)

  • Article
  • Middle School
  • 1 Classroom Period
  • Wilderness
  • Biomass
  • Decomposers
  • Food Chain
  • Forest management
  • Luquillo Experimental Forest
  • Nutrient Cycle
  • Photosynthesis
  • Soil
  • Tropical
Graphic from Leaf Me ALone! article featuring worms holding up picket signs
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In this study, the scientists studied trees growing on Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean Sea. The scientists wanted to know if different trees contribute different amounts of nutrients to the soil. By learning if some kinds of trees contribute more nutrients to the soil, the scientists could determine if those kinds of trees should be planted in areas where the soil needs more nutrients.

Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil (Spanish)

Part Of

Tropical Forest - Spanish

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  • In this FACTivity, you will explore the bacteria living in the soil near your home or school. The question you will be answering is: What kind of bacteria live in...

    FACTivity – Leaf Me Alone! (Spanish)

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • 3-4 Weeks
    • Bacteria
    • Experiment
    • Hands-on
    • Outdoor Activity
    • Soil
    In this FACTivity, you will explore the bacteria living in the soil near your home or school. The question you will be answering is: What kind of bacteria live in...
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download FACTivity (PDF)

    Part Of

    Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil (Spanish)

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Glossary

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  • analyze

    (a nǝ līz): To study or find out the nature and relationship of the parts of something.

  • biomass

    (bī ō mas): The amount of living matter (in a unit area or volume of habitat).

  • complexity

    (kǝm plek sǝ tē): Something that is complex, or hard to separate, analyze, or solve.

  • decomposer

    (dē kǝm pō zǝr): An organism (like a bacterium or a fungus) that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter.

  • external

    (ek stǝr nǝl): Of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part.

  • forest manager

    (fȯr ǝst ma ni jǝr): A person who manages a forest; in the Forest Service, forest managers focus on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health (definition from USDA Forest Service).

  • nutrient

    (nü trē ǝnt): A substance or ingredient that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life.

  • organic

    (ȯr ga nik): Of, relating to, or obtained from living things.

  • organism

    (ȯr gǝ ni zǝm): An individual living thing that carries on the activities of life by means of organs which have separate functions but are dependent on each other: a living person, plant, or animal.

  • quality

    (kwä lǝ tē): A basic characteristic.

  • quantify

    (kwän tǝ fī): To determine, express, or measure the quantity of.

  • species

    (spē sēz or spē shēz): A category of living things that ranks below a genus, is made up of related individuals able to produce fertile offspring, and is identified by a two-part scientific name.

  • A photo of Dr. Ariel Lugo and a group of people hiking along a river.

    Ariel Lugo

    Tropical Ecologist

    “My favorite science experience is trying to understand the functioning of natural ecosystems in collaboration with bright people, including high school students.” “[Another] favorite science experience is interacting with other...
    View Profile
  • Elvira Cuevas sits on a kayak and lets her legs dangle over the sides.

    Elvira Cuevas

    Ecologist

    I like being a scientist because I get to discover new things about the natural environment. My favorite science experience is working in the field. I can see how the...
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Jump To

  • Education Standards
  • Education Files

Standards addressed in this Article:

Social Studies Standards

Social Studies Standards are educational guidelines outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and concepts students should learn in subjects such as history, geography, civics, and economics, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of societal structures, historical events, and global perspectives.
  • People, Places, and Environments
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Time, Continuity, and Change

Education Files

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  • Related from Natural Inquirer

Related Resources from the Natural Inquirer

  • In this study, the scientists studied trees growing on Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean Sea. The scientists wanted to know if different trees contribute different amounts of nutrients...

    Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil

    • Article
    • Middle School
    • 1 Classroom Period
    • Wilderness
    • Biomass
    • Decomposers
    • Food Chain
    • Forest management
    • Luquillo Experimental Forest
    • Nutrient Cycle
    • Photosynthesis
    • Soil
    • Tropical
    In this study, the scientists studied trees growing on Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean Sea. The scientists wanted to know if different trees contribute different amounts of nutrients...
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)
    Explore Article Download Article (PDF)

    Part Of

    Tropical Forest - Vol. 3 No. 1

  • Test your knowledge decomposers, organisms, and species.

    Word Search – Leaf Me Alone!

    • Activity
    • Middle School
    • Less than 30 minutes
    • Wilderness
    • Analyze
    • Biomass
    • Decomposer
    • Nutrients
    • Organic
    • Organism
    • Species
    • Vocabulary
    Test your knowledge decomposers, organisms, and species.
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)
    Explore Activity Download Word Search (PDF) Answer Key (PDF)

    Part Of

    Leaf Me Alone! The Movement of Nutrients Between Trees and the Soil


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