Ecosystems Components Energy Flow and Matter Cycling G

Ecosystems: Components, Energy Flow, and Matter Cycling G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 13 th Edition Chapter 4 Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical Community College

Key Concepts Ø Basic ecological principles Ø Major components of ecosystems Ø Matter cycles and energy flow Ø Ecosystem studies Ø Ecological services

The Nature of Ecology Ø Ecosystem organization Ø Organisms Ø Populations Ø Communities Ø Ecosystems Ø Biosphere Fig. 4 -2 p. 66

The Earth’s Life-Support Systems Ø Troposphere Ø Stratosphere Ø Hydrosphere Ø Lithosphere Ø Biosphere Fig. 4 -6 p. 68

Sustaining Life of Earth Ø One-way flow of energy Ø Cycling of matter Fig. 4 -7 p. 69

The Source of Energy Fig. 4 -8 p. 69

Ecosystem Concepts and Components Ø Biomes Ø Role of climate Ø Aquatic life zones Fig. 4 -9 p. 70

Ecosystem Boundaries: Ecotones Fig. 4 -10 p. 71

Principles of Ecological Factors Ø Abiotic factors Ø Law of tolerance Ø Limiting factors Ø Biotic factors Fig. 4 -14 p. 73; Refer to Fig. 4 -13 p. 73

The Biotic Components of Ecosystems Ø Producers (autotrophs) Ø Photosynthesis Ø Consumers (heterotrophs) Ø Aerobic respiration Ø Decomposers Fig. 4 -16 p. 75

Trophic Levels Ø Primary consumer (herbivore) Ø Secondary consumer (carnivore) Ø Tertiary consumer Ø Omnivore Ø Detritivores and scavengers Ø Decomposers

Biodiversity Ø Genetic diversity Ø Species diversity Ø Ecological diversity Ø Functional diversity

Connections: Food Webs and Energy Flow in Ecosystems Ø Food chains Ø Food webs Fig. 4 -18 p. 77; Refer to Fig. 4 -19 p. 78

Ecological Pyramids Ø Pyramid of energy flow Ø Ecological efficiency Ø Pyramid of biomass Ø Pyramid of numbers Fig. 4 -20 p. 79

Primary Productivity of Ecosystems Ø Gross primary productivity (GPP) Ø Net primary productivity (NPP) Fig. 4 -25 p. 81

Connections: Matter Cycling in Ecosystems Ø Biogeochemical cycles Ø Hydrologic cycle (H 2 O) Ø Atmospheric cycles (C, N) Ø Sedimentary cycles (P, S)

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle Fig. 4 -27 p. 83

The Carbon Cycle (Terrestrial) Fig. 4 -28 p. 84 -85

The Carbon Cycle (Aquatic) Fig. 4 -28 p. 84 -85

The Nitrogen Cycle Fig. 4 -29 p. 86

The Phosphorus Cycle Fig. 4 -30 p. 88

The Sulfur Cycle Fig. 4 -31 p. 89

How Do Ecologists Learn About Ecosystems? Ø Field research Ø Remote sensing Ø Geographic information systems (GIS) Ø Laboratory research Ø Systems analysis

GIS and Systems Analysis Fig. 4 -32 p. 91 Fig. 4 -33 p. 91

Ecosystem Services and Sustainability Fig. 4 -34 p. 92