Earth from geological viewpoint

Earth from meteorological viewpoint

Earth from ecological viewpoint Earth as huge system of interdependent, interacting, parts

The 4 components of Earth 1. Lithosphere: the solid Earth; land, soil

The 4 components of Earth 2. Hydrosphere: the liquid Earth; water

The 4components of Earth 3. Atmosphere: the gaseous Earth; air

The 4 components of Earth 4. Organisms: living things

Biosphere Includes parts of all 4 components of Earth in which living things occur.

Levels of organization in the living world

Organisms: individual living things

Levels of organization in the living world Population: group of individuals of same species occupying a given area at the same time.

Levels of organization in the living world Community: populations of all species occupying a particular place

Levels of organization in the living world Ecosystem: community(ies) interacting with one another and with the physical environment in a particular place

Levels of organization in the living world Biome: a major category of ecosystem (e.g., desert, grassland, tropical rainforest, etc.)

ECOLOGY Ecology: the scientific study of ecosystem structure and function Ecologists vs. Environmentalists

Structure of ecosystems 1. Energy source –Usually sunlight Deep sea vent

Structure of ecosystems 2. Physical environment: non-living materials like air, water, minerals, etc.

Structure of ecosystems 3. Producers –Make their own food

Structure of ecosystems 4. Consumers –Eat other living things –Primary –Secondary

Structure of ecosystems 5. Decomposers –Eat waste matter and dead living things

Function of ecosystems All ecosystem interactions depend on –1. One-way flow of energy –2. Matter cycling

Energy Flow Energy: the ability to do work Energy quality: measure of ability to do work

Energy Flow Energy: the ability to do work Energy quality: measure of ability to do work –High: organized, concentrated; great ability to do work. Ex. electricity

Energy Flow Energy: the ability to do work Energy quality: measure of ability to do work –High: organized, concentrated; great ability to do work. Ex. electricity –Low: disorganized or dilute; low ability to do useful work. Ex. heat less than 100°C

Laws of thermodynamics 1. Matter and energy can’t be created or destroyed, only transformed –You can’t get something for nothing –There’s no such thing as a free lunch –E = mc 2 2. Energy degrades to a less usable, lower quality form (low heat is lowest) –Energy quality “tax” –You can’t win –You can’t get out of the game, either

One-way flow of energy –Food chain: a series of organisms, each eating or decomposing the preceding one. A channel for one-way flow of energy (and the recycling of materials). Individual organisms

One-way flow of energy Food Web: a tracing of movement of all energy (and matter) passing through an ecosystem. Including all interconnected food chains

One-way flow of energy Some concepts –Pyramid of energy: due to the “energy quality tax” of the second law of thermodynamics, only 2-30% of the energy a one trophic level is transferred to the next trophic level Depends on species and ecosystems involved The “average” number is 10%

One-way flow of energy –Pyramid of numbers and biomass: related to the pyramid of energy. More people can be supported by plants than by animal meat

One-way flow of energy Pyramid of numbers and biomass: ,000 27,000, tons Human Trout Frogs Grasshoppers Grass

One-way flow of energy –Pyramid of numbers and biomass: ,000 27,000, tons Grass Human Trout Frogs Grasshoppers 30 90,000 27,000, tons Grass Humans Frogs Grasshoppers

One-way flow of energy –Pyramid of numbers and biomass: ,000 27,000, tons Grass Human Trout Frogs Grasshoppers ,000, tons Grass Humans Grasshoppers

One-way flow of energy –Pyramid of numbers and biomass: ,000 27,000, tons Grass Human Trout Frogs Grasshoppers 2, tons Grass Humans

One-way flow of energy –Net Primary Productivity: rate at which plants produce chemical energy (PSS) MINUS the rate at which plants use chemical energy (respiration) The “income” of animals

So, which biomes on Earth are the most productive?

Kcal/m 2 /yr