Biosphere

What is Ecology? Ecology: Study of interactions between multiple organisms, and their physical environment. ECO “oikos” = House or Home Biosphere: consists of all life on Earth and all parts on Earth where life exists.

Biotic & Abiotic Factors Biotic factors: biological influences on organisms. Biotic factors rely on abiotic factors to survive. Abiotic factors: physical components of an ecosystem. Abiotic: nonliving wind, rain, water Biotic: living Animals, humans, insects

What methods are used in ecological studies? Observation Experimentation lab greenhouse is used to see how plants react to different environmental conditions. Modeling

What are Primary Producers? Autotrophs (Also known as Producers): capture light energy and chemicals to create their own form of food for energy. -- Auto- means “self” and -troph (trophikos) - means “to feed” Photosynthesis: sunlight Chemosynthesis: chemicals deep in the ocean floor these producers use the chemical Hydrogen Sulfide to harness their energy.

Consumers Heterotrophs-Gain their energy from other organisms by ingesting them, in one way or another. (Also known as Consumer) Carnivores-kill and eat other animals for nutrients Herbivores-eat plants to gain nutrients Omnivores-eat both plants and animals Detritivores Decomposers- “feed” by breaking down organic matter.

Energy Flow in the ecosystem Food Chain-simple map that displays the energy transfer from organism. Vary in Length Depends on the ecosystem Food Web- A more complex map that displays the energy transfer of organisms in a specific ecosystem.

Pyramid Pyramid of energy that show the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. An ecosystem requires a constant supply of energy from photosynthesis. Energy is released as heat. 10% of energy available at each trophic level.

Food Chain Food Web

Which do you think provide a more accurate representation of the energy flow in an ecosystem? Why?

Stop and Think What if there was an oil spill that wiped out a large population of krill? How would that affect the rest of the population in the marine ecosystem?

Pyramid of Biomass illustrates the amount of living organic matter available at each level. Biomass: total amount of living tissue. grams of organic matter per unit area

What do you think that means? Energy in an ecosystem is considered a “one way stream” through an ecosystem. Think, Pair, Share: What do you think that means?

Recycling in the biosphere Water Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle 12/2 5 k

The Water Cycle Water continues to move throughout the biosphere. Water from bodies of water evaporates then condenses into clouds water falls precipitation. Surface runoff leads through rivers to lakes and oceans. Water seeps into the ground-- groundwater. Transpiration is the evaporation of water from plants.

Carbon Cycle Carbon Dioxide is continuously moving throughout the biosphere. Plants take in carbon during Photosynthesis. Plants use the carbon to produce energy. Organisms release carbon in the form of a gas known as Carbon Dioxide. Decomposers break down organisms and releases Carbon into the environment.

Nitrogen Cycle All organisms need nitrogen to make amino acids for our nucleic acids. Nitrogen gas makes up 78 % of the Earth’s atmosphere. Ammonia (NH3), Nitrate ions (NO3-), and nitrite (NO2-) found in soil Nitrogen fixation: bacteria convert Nitrogen gas to ammonia. Humans add nitrogen by the use of fertilizers.

Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is part of vital molecules like DNA & RNA. (nucleic acids--CHONP) NOT alot in our atmosphere. Phosphorus comes in the form of inorganic phosphates. Phosphate is mostly on land in the form of phosphate rock, soil minerals, and in the ocean as dissolved phosphate sediments. As rocks wear down or erode phosphate is released.

Nutrient Limitation The nutrient which supplies a limited amount of product. Even if a single nutrient is limited, productivity will be limited. This is why farmers use fertilizers. Fertilizer contains a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus which help plants to grow. In the ocean Nitrogen is the limiting nutrient.