Ecosystem Ecology Examines Interactions Between the Living and Non-Living World Ecosystem- A particular location on Earth distinguished by its particular mix of interacting biotic and abiotic components.

Ecosystem Boundaries Some ecosystems, such as a caves and lakes have very distinctive boundaries. However, in most ecosystems it is difficult to determine where one ecosystems stops and the next begins.

Ecosystem Processes Even though it is helpful to distinguish between two different ecosystems, ecosystems interact with other ecosystems.

Energy Flows through Ecosystems

Photosynthesis and Respiration Producers (autotrophs) are able to use the suns energy to produce usable energy through the process called photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis and Respiration Cellular respiration is the process by which other organisms gain energy from eating the tissues of producers.

Trophic Levels, Food Chains, and Food Webs Consumers (heterotrophs)- obtain energy by consuming other organisms. Primary Consumers (herbivores)- consume producers. Secondary Consumers (carnivores)- obtain their energy by eating primary consumers. Tertiary Consumers (carnivores)- eat secondary consumers.

Food Chain- The sequence of consumption from producers through tertiary consumers. Food Web- A more realistic type of food chain that takes into account the complexity of nature.

Warm-Up 10SEP2015 What flows through ecosystems? How much energy is transferred at each trophic level? Warm-Up 10SEP2015

ENERGY FLOWS! (through ecosystems) Open system MATTER CYCLES! (in the biosphere) Closed system

Ecosystem Productivity Gross primary productivity (GPP)- The total amount of solar energy that the producers in an ecosystem capture via photosynthesis over a given amount of time. Net primary productivity (NPP)- The energy captured (GPP) minus the energy respired by producers.

Energy Transfer Efficiency and Trophic Pyramids Biomass- The energy in an ecosystem is measured in terms of biomass. Standing crop- The amount of biomass (energy) present in an ecosystem at a particular time. Productivity: the rate of energy production over time.

Energy Transfer Efficiency and Trophic Pyramids Ecological efficiency- The proportion of consumed energy that can be passed from one trophic level to another.

Energy Transfer Efficiency and Trophic Pyramids Trophic pyramid- The representation of the distribution of biomass among trophic levels.

ENERGY FLOWS! (through ecosystems) Open system MATTER CYCLES! (in the biosphere) Closed system

Matter cycles through the biosphere Biosphere- The combination of all ecosystems on Earth. Biogeochemical cycles- The movement of matter within and between ecosystems involving biological, geologic and chemical processes.

Why is photosynthesis an important process? What determines the productivity of an ecosystem? How efficiently is energy transferred between trophic levels in an ecosystem?

Warm-Up 14SEP2015 Compare and contrast Gross Primary Productivity and Net Primary Productivity Logistics: Celebration of Knowledge Chapters 2 & 3 (9/18) 10 Vocabulary (9/18) Owl Pellet Lab (9/18)

ENERGY FLOWS! (through ecosystems) Open system MATTER CYCLES! (in the biosphere) Closed system

Matter cycles through the biosphere Biosphere- The combination of all ecosystems on Earth. Biogeochemical cycles- The movement of matter within and between ecosystems involving biological, geologic and chemical processes.

The Hydrologic Cycle The movement of water through the biosphere.

How much of Earth’s water is fresh water? This can be done as a demonstration, or in small table groups. If done in groups, each small group (about 4-6) of students will need a clear plastic cup, access to water, a smaller medicine cup or petri dish, and an eye-dropper. The materials can be placed in small table bins so the students are ready to use them, and thus decrease the time in transition. This activity only takes a few minutes, and the students are generally very surprised to see how little of Earth’s water is actually freshwater as a result of trying this themselves. 1. Fill the plastic cup 75% full of water. This represents the amount of water on Earth’s surface.

This represents the amount of fresh water on Earth. (~2.5%) 2. Take out one dropper of water, and place it in the small cup. This represents the amount of fresh water on Earth. (~2.5%)

3. Take one drop of water from the small cup. This represents, the amount of accessible freshwater.

The Hydrologic Cycle Transpiration- The process where plants release water from their leaves into the atmosphere.

The Hydrologic Cycle Evapotranspiration- The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration.

The Hydrologic Cycle Runoff- When water moves across the land surface into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean. Soil structure and permiability Ecosystem diversity

The Nitrogen Cycle Ni is a limiting nutrient for producers

Haber-Bosch Process Allows humans to synthesize fixed nitrogen that can be incorporated into mostly plants (fertilizer) Arguably the most important scientific development, ever. Nitrogen based fertilizers is directly linked to the abundance of food and human population increase