Biogeography GPH 111

What else does Solar energy do?

10 Major Global Biomes Biome - A large stable terrestrial ecosystem characterized by specific plant and animal communities.

Example: Chaparral Tied to the dry summer Mediterranean climate…

Comparison: Which one developed in an arid biome? How did the different plants adapt to their different environments?

Link between elevation and latitude… Alexander Humboldt - Figured out that biomes change poleward and by changes in elevation.

Ecology: The study of the relationships between organisms and their environment among the various ecosystems in the biosphere Ecosystem: A self regulating association of living plants and animals and their physical environment

Plants and animals work to fit specific niches… Are there going to be more tiger or dragonfly critters in an ecosystem or fungus and plants?

Plants: The essential biotic component.. Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Glucose + OxygenPhotosynthesis = Chlorophyll is the engine behind the world’s major biomes!!! Respiration = Glucose + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide + Water + Heat Energy Generates Plant Growth and Food

Net Primary Productivity: Look Familiar? -- The net photosynthesis for an entire plant community is its net primary productivity community is its net primary productivity

Important Elemental Cycles…  Carbon Cycle “The pH of saltwater has dropped units since the early 1990s as the ocean absorbs 50% of the increased CO2 production, 50x more than background”  The Nitrogen Cycle  Carbon Cycle “The pH of saltwater has dropped units since the early 1990s as the ocean absorbs 50% of the increased CO2 production, 50x more than background”  The Nitrogen Cycle

Ecosystem Stability and Succession Biodiversity

Climate Change

Ecosystem Stability and Succession Terrestrial Succession

Mt. Saint Helens

Ecosystem Stability and Succession Fire Ecology

Ecosystem Stability and Succession Lake - Bog - Meadow

Things to know:  Be familiar with biomes and know some examples  Some basic understanding of plant / animal adaptations  Biome link between elevation and latitude  What an ecosystem is and what ecologists study  Understand how plants / animals fit into niches (tigers versus plants)  Net primary productivity and relation to climate  Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles  Familiar with ecosystem stability and succession, know an example  Be familiar with biomes and know some examples  Some basic understanding of plant / animal adaptations  Biome link between elevation and latitude  What an ecosystem is and what ecologists study  Understand how plants / animals fit into niches (tigers versus plants)  Net primary productivity and relation to climate  Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles  Familiar with ecosystem stability and succession, know an example Help: Chapter 16