Ecosystems - Gersmehl's model

Gersmehl's model shows the transfer of nutrients between stores in the nutrient cycle.

The circles are proportionate to the amount of nutrient stored and the arrows width are proportional to the nutrient flow.

In a rainforest ecosystem, the largest store is biomass and it has the highest rate of transfer due to the warm, moist conditions.

In a deciduous forest ecosystem, the largest store is soil.