biosphere to ecosystems

ecology

the study of the earth, the interaction of organisms with their physical environment and with one another

biosphere

the entire section of the surface of the earth that supports life

what does the biosphere consist of?

atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere

the most important requirements for life are:

a source of energy (sun), water and a temperature at which water is in liquid form

abiotic factors

non-living elements such as temperature, wind, water, soil etc.

biotic factors

living organisms

what forms an ecosystem?

the abiotic and biotic components of an environment are co dependent on one another and influence one another

abiotic elements can be grouped into 3 main categories:

physiographic factors, physical factors and edaphic factors

physiographic factors :

topography, altitude

physical factors:

light, temperature, water, wind

edaphic factors:

soil

diurnal

animals that are active during the day

nocturnal

animals that are active during the night

animals that are poikilothermic and ectothermic:

they cannot control their body temperature and their body temperature varies with the temperature of the environment

aestivation

animals that become inactive if the temperature is too high

homeothermic and endothermic

theses animals can control their body temperature to remain at a constant level, no matter what the environmental temperature is

what makes up ± 65% of your body and ± 90% of cytoplasm of cells?

water

soils types

sandy soil, loam soil, clay soil

soil water

hygroscopic water, capillary water, gravitational water(seepage water)

humus

decomposed organic matter

humus contains elements:

phosphorus, nitrates and potassium

biotic factors - an ecosystem consists of three main nutritional or trophic groups :

producers, consumers and decomposers

producers

make their own food (autotrophs). usually chlorophyll containing organisms that can convert radient energy into chemical energy during photosynthesis

consumers

need to eat food, cannot make their own food (heterotrophs)

decomposers

lives off dead and decaying matter (bacteria and fungi) (saphrotrophs)