Ecosystem Biotic (communities) and abiotic (environment) components within a given area Integrative Process-centered (energy flow and nutrient cycles)

Fig. 3-8, p. 56 Lower Stratosphere (ozone layer) Solar radiation UV radiation Visible light Heat radiated by the earth Most absorbed by ozone Absorbed by the earth Greenhouse effect Reflected by atmosphere Radiated by atmosphere as heat Heat Troposphere

Fig. 3-9, p. 57 Decomposers Precipitation Oxygen (O 2 ) Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) Producer Primary consumer (rabbit) Secondary consumer (fox) Producers Water Soluble mineral nutrients

Energy Flow Unidirectional movement of energy Sustained directly or indirectly by photosynthesis Food Chains Food Webs

Fig. 3-16, p. 64 Ecosystem Rates of Primary Productivity Differ

Both supported by primary production Food Chain

Fig. 3-14, p. 63 Food Web Interactions Stability Redundancy Keystone species Why focus on a single species?

Nutrient Cycling Movement of nutrients through an ecosystem Can return to original form; therefore, can be reused Reservoirs (abiotic and biotic) Fluxes (process-driven)

Nutrient Cycling – Human Impacts Increase rate of removal from reservoirs Constraints on processes Create new fluxes

Fig. 3-17, p. 66 Hydrological Cycle

Fig. 3-18, p. 68

Biodiversity – the number and type of species, the genes they contain, and the ecosystem in which they live. Biocomplexity – properties emerging from the interplay of behavioral, biological, chemical, physical, and social interactions that affect, sustain, or are modified by living organisms, including humans. pdf

Ecosystem Services – processes by which environment produces resources often taken for granted – clean water, timber, habitat, carbon sequestration. What is the ‘natural capital’? Understanding ecological “roles” and balancing with human needs essential for developing sustainable uses

Information on Ecosystem Services /ecosystemservices.pdf aper.pdf verview/index.htm