Studied by 5 people
Biosphere
The region of our planet where life resides, the combination of all ecosystems on Earth.
Ecosystem Boundaries
The characteristics of any given ecosystem are highly dependent on the climate that exists in that location on Earth.
The biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem provide the boundaries that distinguish one ecosystem from another. Some ecosystems have well-defined boundaries, whereas others do not.
Why is it important to know Ecosystem Boundaries?
Knowing the boundaries of an ecosystem makes it easier to identify the system's biotic and abiotic components and to trace the cycling of energy and matter through the system.
How does photosynthesis and respiration relate?
Photosynthesis captures energy and respiration releases energy
Photosynthesis
Nearly all of the energy that powers ecosystems comes from the Sun as solar energy, which is a form of kinetic energy.
The process by which producers use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
Solar Energy + 6H2O + 6CO2 => C6H12O6 + 6O2
Producer
An organism that uses the energy of the Sun to produce usable forms of energy. Also known as Autotroph.
Respiration
is the process by which organisms convert glucose and oxygen into water and carbon dioxide, releasing the energy needed to live, grow, and reproduce. All organisms, including producers, perform respiration.
Cellular respiration
Other organisms, such as the herbivores on the Serengeti Plain, eat the tissues of producers and gain energy from the chemical energy contained in those tissues. They do this through cellular respiration, a process by which cells unlock the energy of chemical compounds.
Aerobic respiration
The process by which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Anaerobic respiration
The process by which cells convert glucose into energy in the absence of oxygen.
Consumer
An organism that is incapable of photosynthesis and must obtain its energy by consuming other organisms. Also known as Heterotroph.
Herbivore
A consumer that eats producers. Also known as Primary consumer.
Trophic levels
The successive levels of organisms consuming one another.
Food chain
The sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers.
Food web
A complex model of how energy and matter move between trophic levels.
Scavenger
An organism that consumes dead animals.
Detritivore
An organism that specializes in breaking down dead tissues and waste products into smaller particles.
Decomposers
Fungi and bacteria that convert organic matter into small elements and molecules that can be recycled back into the ecosystem.
Gross primary productivity (GPP)
The total amount of solar energy that producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time.
The amount of energy available in an ecosystem determines how much life the ecosystem can support.
Net primary productivity (NPP)
The energy captured by producers in an ecosystem minus the energy producers respire.
The net primary productivity of an ecosystem establishes the rate at which biomass—the total mass of all living matter in a specific area—is produced over a given amount of time.
Standing Crop
The amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time is its standing crop. It is important to differentiate standing crop, which measures the amount of energy in a system at a given time, from productivity, which measures the rate of energy production over a span of time.
Biomass
The total mass of all living matter in a specific area.
Ecological efficiency
The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another.
Trophic pyramid
A representation of the distribution of biomass, numbers, or energy among trophic levels.
10% Rule
the total biomass available at a given trophic level, only about 10 percent can be converted into energy at the next higher trophic level.
Biogeochemical cycle
The movements of matter within and between ecosystems.
Hydrologic cycle
The movement of water through the biosphere.
The heat from the sun causes water to evaporate + transpiration => water vapor entering the atmosphere => forms clouds => precipitation
Evatranspiration
the combines amount of evaporation and transpiration
runoff
water that moves across the land surface and into streams and rivers
Human Impact on Hydrologic Cycle
1) reducing evapotranspiration by reducing plant biomass, if evapotranspiration down, then runoff or percolation increases
2) diverting water from one area to another to provide water for drinking, irrigation and industrial uses.
Transpiration
The release of water from leaves during photosynthesis.
The Carbon Cycle
The movement of carbon around the biosphere.
Seven processes that drive the carbon cycle: photosynthesis, respiration, exchange, sedimentation, burial, extraction, and combustion. These processes can be categorized as either source or sink.
Photosynthesis and Respiration
When producers photosynthesize they take in CO2 and incorporate carbon into their tissues. Some of this carbon is returned as CO2 when organisms respire and decompose
Exchange, Sedimentation, and Burial
Carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean. The amount of carbon released from the ocean into the atmosphere roughly equals the amount of atmospheric CO2 that diffuses into ocean water.
Another portion of the CO2, dissolved in the ocean combines with calcium ions in the water to form calcium carbonate (CaCO2), a compound that can precipitate out of the water and form limestone and dolomite rock via sedimentation and burial.
A small fraction of the organic carbon in the dead bio-mass pool is buried and incorporated into ocean sediments, decomposing into its constituent elements. This organic matter becomes fossilized; over millions of years, some may be transformed into fossil fuels.
Extraction and Combustion
Combustion of fossil fuels by humans and the natural combustion of carbon by fires or volcanoes release carbon into the atmosphere as CO2, or into the soil as ash.
Climate Change
Ocean Acidification
As more CO2 dissolves in water, the amount of Carbonate available decreases because it will bind the free H+ ions as a natural buffer.
This reduces the amount of carbonate available to marine organisms.
Carbon dioxide reacts with water to make carbonic acid, lowering the pH and making the water more acidic. This makes the water more acidic and inhibits the growth of coral reefs and calcium carbonate shells. Calciferous marine organisms, at the bottom of the food chain, fix carbon and other nutrients. When they die, some carbon is fixed in their shell and will not be released back into the atmosphere.
CO2 + H2O -> (H+) + (HCO3-)
carbon sources
cell respiration
combustion
anaerobic (fermentation)
decomposition
carbon sinks
photosynthesis
weathering of limestone
Reaction with water (tempoarary)
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
Assimilation
Mineralization
Ammonification
Denitrification
Nitrogen fixation
The process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere (N2) into forms of nitrogen that producers can use.
Nitrification
The conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate. NH3 to NO2- to NO3-
Assimilation
The process by which producers incorporate elements into their tissues.
Mineralization
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic compounds.
Ammonification
The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products and convert it into inorganic ammonium (NH4+).
Denitrification
Nitrate (NO3-) is converted through a series of steps into nitrous oxide (N2O) and, eventually, nitrogen gas (N2), which is emitted into the atmosphere.
The Phosphorus Cycle
The movement of phosphorus around the biosphere.
Assimilation and Mineralization
Sedimentation, Geologic Uplift, and Weathering
Assimilation and Mineralization
Producers on land and in the water take up inorganic phosphate and assimilate the phospho- rus into their tissues as organic phosphorus. The waste products and eventual dead bodies of these organisms are decomposed by fungi and bacteria, which causes the mineralization of organic phosphorus back to inorganic phosphate.
Sedimentation, Geologic Uplift, and Weathering
In water, phosphorus is not very soluble, so much of it precipitates out of solution in the form of phosphate laden sediments in the ocean. Over time, geologic forces can lift these ocean layers up and they become mountains. The phosphate rocks in the mountains are slowly weathered by natural forces including rainfall and this weathering brings phosphorus to terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Phosphorus is tightly held by soils, so it is not easily leached from soils and into water bodies. Because so little phosphorus leaches into water bodies and because much of what enters water precipitates out of solution, very little dissolved phosphorus is naturally available ni streams, rivers, and lakes. As a result, phosphorus is a limiting nutrient in many aquatic systems.
Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium
Calcium, magnesium, and potassium play important roles in regulating cellular processes and in transmitting signals between cells.
Because of their positive charges, calcium, magne- sium, and potassium ions are attracted to the negative charges present on the surfaces of most soil particles. Calcium and magnesium occur in high concentrations in limestone and marble. Because Ca2+ and Mg2+ strongly attracted to soil particles, they are abundant in many soils overlying these types of rock. In contrast, K+ is only weakly attracted to soil particles and is therefore more susceptible to being leached away by water moving through the soil. Leaching of potassium can leadot potassium-deficient soils that constrain the growth of plants and animals
Sulfur Cycle
The movement of sulfur around the biosphere.
Producers absorb sulfur through their roots in the form of sulfate ions (SO4-2), and the sulfur then cycles through the food web. The sulfur cycle also has a gaseous component. Volcanic eruptions are a natural source of atmospheric sulfur in the form of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Human activities also add sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere, especially burning fossil fuels and mining metals such as copper. In the atmosphere, SO2 is converted into sulfuric acid (H2SO4) when mixed with water. The sulfuric acid can then be carried back to Earth when it rains or snows. As humans add more sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere, we cause more acid precipitation, which can negatively affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although anthropogenic sulfur deposition remains an environmental concern, clean air regulations in the United States have significantly lowered these deposits since 1995.
Human Impact on Cycles
Carbon Cycle: climate change and ocean acidification
Phosphorus Cycle: algae blooms
Nitrogen Cycle: algae blooms and acid rain
Disturbance
An event, caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents, resulting in changes in population size or community composition.
Resistance
A measure of how much a disturbance can affect flows of energy and matter in an ecosystem.
Resilience
The rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance.
Restoration ecology
The study and implementation of restoring damaged ecosystems.
Intermediate disturbance hypothesis
The hypothesis is that ecosystems experiencing intermediate levels of disturbance are more diverse than those with high or low best disturbance levels.
Terrestrial biome
A geographic region categorized by a particular combination of average annual precipitation and distinctive plant growth forms on land
Aquatic biome
An aquatic region characterized by a particular combination of salinity, depth, and water flow.
Tundra
A cold and treeless biome with low-growing vegetation.
Permafrost
An impermeable, permanently frozen layer of soil.
Boreal forest
A forest biome made up primarily of coniferous evergreen trees that can tolerate cold winters and short growing seasons.
Temperate rainforest
A coastal biome typified by moderate temperatures and high precipitation.
Temperate seasonal forest
A biome with warm summers and cold winters with over 1m (39 inches) of precipitation annually.
Woodland/shrubland
A biome characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
Temperate grassland/cold desert
A biome characterized by cold, harsh winters, and hot, dry summers.
Tropical rainforest
A warm and wet biome found between 20° N and 20° S of the equator, with little seasonal temperature variation and high precipitation.
Tropical seasonal forest/savanna
A biome marked by warm temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons.
Subtropical desert
A biome prevailing at approximately 30° N and 30° S, with hot temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and sparse vegetation.
Littoral zone
The shallow zone of soil and water in lakes and ponds is where most algae and emergent plants grow.
Limnetic zone
A zone of open water in lakes and ponds.
Profundal zone
A region of water where sunlight doesnot reach, below the limnetic zone ni very deep lakes.
Benthic zone
The muddy bottom of a lake, pond, or ocean.
Oligotrophic
Describes a lake with a low level of productivity.
Mesotrophic
Describes a lake with a moderate level of productivity.
Eutrophic
Describes a lake with a high level of productivity.
Freshwater wetland
An aquatic biome that is submerged or saturated by water for at least part of each year, but shallow enough to support emergent vegetation.
Salt marsh
A marsh containing nonwoody emergent vegetation found along the coast in temperate climates.
Estuary
An area along the coast where the freshwater of rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean.
Lots of Life because of Lots of Photosynthesis
Stabilize shorelines and protect coastal areas, inland habitats, and human communities from floods and storm surges from hurricanes
Mangrove swamp
A swamp that occurs along tropical and subtropical coasts, and contains salt-tolerant trees with roots submerged in water.
Intertidal zone
The narrow band of coastline between the levels of high tide and low tide.
Coral reef
The most diverse marine biome on Earth, found in warm, shallow waters beyond the shoreline.
Warm, shallow water beyond shoreline; Water poor in nutrients and food
Coral colonies, Algae, Fish, invertebrates
Protect coastlines from storms and erosion; Create nutrients for organisms like fish
Coral bleaching
A phenomenon in which algae inside corals die, causing the corals to turn white.
Open ocean
Deep ocean water, located away from the shoreline where sunlight can no longer reach the ocean bottom.
Photic zone
The upper layer of ocean water in the ocean that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
Aphotic zone
The deeper layer of ocean water that lacks sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis.
Chemosynthesis
A process used by some bacteria in the ocean to generate energy with methane and hydrogen sulfide.
streams
Flowing fresh water
From underground springs or runoff
Narrow and carry little water
Few plants/algae as producers; Organic matter from terrestrial biomes provide food web base; Insect larvae, crustaceans (crawfish), fish
Remove pollutants and nutrients by filtration; Nutrient refilterization
Rivers
Flowing fresh water; From underground springs or runoff; Wider and carry more water; When stream combine w other streams they become a river
Few plants/algae as producers; Organic matter from terrestrial biomes provide food web base; Insect larvae, crustaceans (crawfish); Fish: salmon, catfish
Remove pollutants and nutrients by filtration; Nutrient refilterization
Ponds
Standing freshwater Zones: Littoral: low levels of water near shore; Limnetic: open water, no plants; Benthic zone: muddy bottom
Littoral: algae and cattails, most photosynthesis; Limnetic: floats algae (phytoplankton)
Water purification; Flood alleviation; Irrigation
Lakes
Standing freshwater
Zones: Littoral: low levels of water near shore; Limnetic: open water, no plants; Profundal zone: under limnetic, too deep for sunlight perforation; Benthic zone: muddy bottom
Littoral: algae and cattails, most photosynthesis; Limnetic: floats algae (phytoplankton); Profundal zone: bacteria decompose the denitrus, and use up oxygen so no producers/organisms
Irrigation; Water purification; Flood alleviation
Oceans
Deep ocean: deep waters way from shoreline, sunlight cannot reach bottom Zones: Photic: upper layer that still receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis; Aphotic: Deeper layer that lacks enough light
Bacteria: chemosynthesis; algae: photosynthesis
Food production; Coastal protection; Carbon sequestration
Marshland
Salt and Freshwater marshes; salt marshes usually found in estuaries
Non-wood emergent vegetation; Spawning fish, shellfish
Removing pollutants such as herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals out of the water
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