Ecosystems Ecosystems definition- A community of organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) co-existing with the non living or inorganic things in their environment.

Ecosystem Components Four Components Abiotic- inorganic (non living) and organic (living) substances found in the habitat. Producers- Autotrophic organisms (grow on their own i.e. algea, plants) Consumers- Heterotrophic organisms (depend on autotrophic producers i.e. animals) Reducers or Decomposers- Break down waste and dead tissues (i.e. fungi, bacteria)

Waterways are easy to see how an Ecosystem Works. Credit: www.earthenergylandscaping.com

If any one of the four processes change…the entire ecosystem changes!! Ecosystem Processes Four Processes Water Cycle Mineral/Nutrient Cycle Energy Levels Community Dynamics or Succession If any one of the four processes change…the entire ecosystem changes!!

Water Cycle Also known as the hydrologic cycle Water is always moving Water is always changing between liquid, vapor, and ice. Availability of water affects ecosystems

Nutrient Cycle Nutrients made available by the decomposers. Consumed by the producers and consumers. Then returns to the decomposers in the form of manure, deadfall, carcass decay, etc.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems Energy (heat) is required for the water and nutrient cycles to effectively function. Must be constant Fluctuations cause the ecosystem to have major changes This is why “Global Warming” is so worrisome…or is it?

Community Dynamics or Succession. Community Dynamics- How ecological community evolves over time. Succession- What happens after a series of events. Bare Ground =>grass => shrubs => trees => mature forest => fire => bare ground…the cycle continues.