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Ecosystem Ecology
Study of processes that govern flow of energy/nutrients in ecological systems.
2 Fundamental principles (ecosystem ecology)
1) Interactions between organisms and their environment are fueled by complex transformations of energy.
2) The ecological processes that are crucial to an organism's growth, survival and fitness have energetic costs.
Ecosystems
Biological community of interacting organisms and their environment, encompassing both biotic/abiotic factors
*Vary size, diversity, complexity, unusual location
Core functions of ecosystems
Energy Flow
Nutrients cycling
Fundamental Point In ecosystems
Earth, ecosystems and organism are open systems with respect to energy (absorb energy and release heat)
Open System
Can exchange both energy and matter with its surroundings
Closed system
Can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings.
Key ecological processes (from sun)
Energy for photosynthesis (autotrophs)
Heat/Energy (evaporation of water, circulation of atmosphere/ocean)
Quantity of solar Energy
Accessible to organisms and ecosystems fluctuates based on location, seasons, etc. factors.
1st Law of Thermodynamics
“Energy can be transferred among its various states, but it is NEVER created or destroyed”
Input energy = (stored energy + output energy)
Planetary Energy Budget
Atmosphere absorbs
Reflectivity
Earths surface absorption
Evaporation of water
Melting of energy
Biological fixation
Infrared radiation
All organisms radiate back energy.
Green House effect Influences
Earths energy budget affects [] of greenhouse gas effect in atmosphere
CO2 (GWP=1)
CH4 (GWP=28-36)
N20 (GWP=298)
Earths Average temp
+15C
Methane Release
Coal mining
Extracting, processing, transport of oil.
Digestive gas from livestock
Rice paddies
Landfills
Wetlands
Nitrous Oxide Release
Nitrogenous fertilizers
Manure management
Chemical production
Deforestation and land use changes
Vehicle emissions
Wastewater treatment