Bio 122 - 4- Biomes

As energy is passed from one trophic level to the next, heat is

mostly lost (most of it)

•From one trophic level
to the next, only around

10% of the energy transfers.

•Cumulative loss of energy —>

each higher level of trophic structure can support fewer organisms than the last

Energy availability can be visualized in

ecological pyramid

Energy availability can be visualized in an ecological pyramid

2,000,000 Calories of primary production can support____ for one day

10 vegetarians or one meat-eater

Energy availability can be visualized in an ecological pyramid

the ecological pyramid:

Producers —> Primary Consumers —> Secondary Consumers

Energy availability can be visualized in an ecological pyramid

Calories of primary production can support 10 vegetarians in a day

2,000,000 calories of sunlight enter ecosystem, into plants, plants are eaten

Energy availability can be visualized in an ecological pyramid

Calories of primary production can support one meat eater in a day

2,000,000 calories of sunlight enter ecosystem, into plants, plants are eaten by livestock, human eats livestock

Different ecosystems have different rates of

primary production

Different ecosystems have different rates of primary production

Biomass

the total amount of living material in an ecosystem

Different ecosystems have different rates of primary production

Primary production

a measure of the rate at which solar/chemical energy is converted
to biomass.

Elements cycle through the

biosphere

Elements cycle through the biosphere

Energy flows through

ecosystems

Elements cycle through the biosphere

_________, such as carbon and nitrogen, also cycle through the biosphere.

Chemical element

Elements cycle through the biosphere

Elements cycle through the biosphere

•Chemical elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, also cycle through the biosphere.

Elements cycle through the biosphere

Elements pass between _________ such as the air, soil, and water and ___________ of ecosystems

abiotic (nonliving) reservoirs, biotic (living) components

__________occur both locally and globally

Biogeochemical cycles

Biogeochemical cycles occur both locally and globally

Abiotic reservoirs

−Includes the atmosphere, rocks, and oceans

−Geological processes contribute to the abiotic reservoirs.

ex. volcano errupting

Biogeochemical cycles occur both locally and globally

Biotic (living) components

−Includes producers, consumers, and decomposers

• ex: plants, deer, fungi

The carbon cycle is a

biogeochemical cycle

The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle

carbon cycle

•affected by human activities (shown in red), primarily the burning of fossil fuels, which releases trapped carbon into the atmosphere as CO₂.

The __________ is a biogeochemical cycle

nitrogen cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a biogeochemical cycle

Nitrogen is only available to living things after

 soil bacteria convert N₂ to compounds that plants can take up.

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global

water cycle

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global water cycle

Global water cycle

•connects ecosystems

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global water cycle

Precipitation

transfers water from the atmosphere to the land

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global water cycle

•Conversely water also transfers from terrestrial sources to the atmosphere

–Evaporation from bodies of water

Transpiration from plants

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global water cycle

•Conversely water also transfers from terrestrial sources to the atmosphere

–Evaporation

from bodies of water

All water on Earth is interconnected in a global water cycle

•Conversely water also transfers from terrestrial sources to the atmosphere

Transpiration

from plants

The Global Water Cycle

Over the oceans, the overall net movement of water is from

the sea into the atmosphere.

The Global Water Cycle

Over land, the net movement is from

clouds down to the land.

Thermohaline Circulation

•Cold water melts from glaciers in the north Atlantic

•Sinks driving the water down and away-generating currents that move throughout the oceans

•Currents then carry water and nutrients throughout the ocean

biome

•a type of ecological community

•The distribution of terrestrial biomes depends largely on two measures of climate.

–Temperature & Rainfall.

Each biome is characterized by

differences in temperature, rainfall, and the prevalence of wildfires, and each has a dominant form of vegetation.

Some biomes are colder and drier

Polar ice

found in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the Earth.

Some biomes are colder and drier

Tundra

characterized by dryness, bitter cold temperatures, high winds, and permafrost

Deserts

have very low rainfall. There are both hot and cold deserts.

Forest biomes vary by

latitude

Forest biomes vary by latitude

Coniferous forests

dominated by Cone-bearing Evergreens – largest terrestrial biome, characterized by long cold winters & short dry summers

Forest biomes vary by latitude

Temperate broadleaf forests

occur in regions of hot summers, cold winters, and relatively frequent rain.

Terrestrial Biomes

Temperate grasslands

found in regions with cold winters, low rainfall, and periodic drought.

Terrestrial Biomes

Chaparral

found in coastal areas where ocean currents produce mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers

Terrestrial Biomes

Savannas

warm, fairly dry climates that primarily contain grasses with scattered trees

Tropical forests

occur in wet, warm climates near the equator

 _______biomes cover most of Earth’s surface

Aquatic

 Aquatic biomes cover most of Earth’s surface

Aquatic biomes

•defined by their abiotic factors, primarily salinity

Aquatic biomes cover most of Earth’s surface

Aquatic biomes include:

–Freshwater biomes

–Intermediate biomes

–Marine biomes

__________cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface

Freshwater biomes

Freshwater biomes cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface

•Lakes and Ponds

–Standing bodies of fresh water

–Temperature depends on depth and wave action

–fertilizer runoff àgrowth of phytoplankton à profound effects on health of lake or pond

•Girard Park vs. Cypress Lake

_____Mixing in Lakes/Ponds

Water and

Oligotrophic Lakes/Ponds

•High O₂

•Low Nutrients

•Higher species diversity

•Ex. Lake Tahoe

Eutrophic Lakes/Ponds

•Low O₂

•High Nutrients

•Low species diversity

•Ex. Pond near Chengdu, China

Freshwater biomes cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface

•Wetlands

–Where aquatic and terrestrial biomes meet

–Swamps, bogs, and marshes

–Nutrient and species rich

–Importance ecosystem function ß Absorb and filter large amounts of water

Freshwater biomes cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface

•Wetlands

–Importance ecosystem function ß Absorb and filter large amounts of water

•Improve water quality

•Reduce flooding

•Rivers and Streams

–Flowing bodies of fresh water

•Rivers and Streams

Cold and low nutrient upstream —>

warm and nutrient rich downstream

The Ocean

•Does the ocean have different Biomes?

yes it has

marine biomes

_______ are 70%< of the Earth

Marine Biomes

Marine Biomes

Saltwater

•High solute concentration

•Concentration variable

•Runoff

•River output

•Glacier melt

Intermediate biomes

form where freshwater meets the ocean

Intermediate biomes form where freshwater meets the ocean

Intertidal zones-

•sandy or rocky habitat pounded by surf

Intermediate biomes form where freshwater meets the ocean

Estuaries

•transition between freshwater river and saltwater ocean

Intermediate biomes form where freshwater meets the ocean

Estuaries contain:

–Nutrient rich

–Diverse & highly productive communities

_______biomes have several distinct zones and realms

Marine

Marine biomes have several distinct zones and realms

Dependent on

•Temperature, Light, Nutrient availability, currents, and bottom composition

Marine biomes have several distinct zones and realms

photic zone

•includes waters where light levels are high enough for photosynthesis

Marine biomes have several distinct zones and realms

photic zone is Beyond is the

aphotic zone

Marine biomes have several distinct zones and realms

•Coral reefs are typically found above the

continental shelf

Coral Reefs

•Nutrient Poor

•Warm Tropical Seas

•Nutrient Recycling

Coastal Upwelling

•Brings nutrient-rich, cold water to the surface

•Supports biodiverse communities

Open Ocean

•Highly stratified by layers of water of differing temperatures

•Diel Vertical Migration

Diel Vertical Migration

•World’s largest migration

•Happens every night

Deep Sea

•Dark

•Cold

•High Pressure

•Nutrient Poor-Marine Snow

Seamounts

•Underwater Mountains

•Manganese Crusts-Deep Sea Mining

•High Currents=More chances for food

Deep Sea Vents

•Volcanic areas near the edges of tectonic plates

•Primary production-chemosynthesis

Whale Falls

•Temporary biome/habitat

•Massive influx of nutrients for deep sea fauna

Diel Vertical Migration

Migration

Hide in darkness —> running the gauntlet —> a carbon- rich meal —> biological carbon pump —>homecoming