Biosphere

Biosphere Part of our planet with life. Depends on other spheres.

Vocabulary: Review? Species: All living things of the same kind Population: All living things of the same kind in the same place at the same time. Habitat: The area where a population lives Community: All the populations interact. Ecosystem: Any group of living and nonliving things interacting with each other can be considered as an ecosystem. Biomes: A large area on the Earth's surface that is defined by the types of animals and plants living there. A biome can be partially defined by the local climate patterns.

Key Ideas The biosphere is made of interconnected ecosystems Because the components of ecosystems are so connected, even small changes can have big effects Human activity can have a massive impact on the biosphere How might the damming of a river affect an ecosystem? How might human garbage affect the ecosystem?

Ecosystem Structure Biotic Abiotic: Biotic (Living) and abiotic (Non-living) factors Biotic Producers –plants –use energy of sun Consumers Herbivores –only eat plants Carnivores –only eat meat Omnivores –eat meat and plants Decomposers – break down dead plant and animal materials Abiotic: Water, sunlight, oxygen, temperature, soil, and climate.

Macro vs. Micro Ecosystems Micro: Small; Few organisms; Easy recovery after breakdown Macro: Large; Many organisms; Difficult recovery after breakdown

Photosynthesis Plants take in carbon dioxide, sunlight and water They produce oxygen and carbohydrates The oxygen is used by animals for breathing, while the carbohydrates are a source of energy for the plants, as well as animals that eat those plants

Food Chains and Webs Food Chain – movement of energy through a system. [Simple] Food Web –Many food chains [Complicated] vs.

Food Pyramid Relationship between food (energy) supply and consumers. At each level, there are less organisms, as the transfer of energy is less efficient. For example, it may take many kilograms of grass to feed a deer (primary consumer). A secondary carnivore, such as a wolf, may eat many deer. In consuming the deer, the wolf is taking the energy the deer got from the plants. Less energy is transferred in each step.

Carbon Cycle

Carbon is found in gas form in the atmosphere, mostly as carbon dioxide. As plants and animals die, some carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Some is put into the soil during decomposition. It is also released when we burn wood, fossil fuels and other hydrocarbons. Plants and coral reefs that store carbon are known as carbon sinks. By destroying carbon sinks we put more carbon into the atmosphere, which increases the greenhouse effect and can lead to climate change.

Read chapters 29 and 30 Explain the following in your own words 1. Biosphere 2. Environment 3. Abiotic and biotic components 4. Photosynthesis 5. The food pyramid 6. The carbon cycle