Chapter 15-Earth Systems

Section 1  Biosphere- part of the Earth where life exists  Hydrosphere- all of Earth’s water, ice, and water vapor  Atmosphere- the air blanketing Earth’s solid and liquid surface  Geosphere- Earth’s surface and everything beneath Earth’s surface

Gaia Theory- Each of the spheres use interact to produce a place for living organisms. The Earth corrects itself through feedback loops

Section 2  Climate- long term weather conditions in a region  Microclimate- climate of a smaller area within a larger area

Climate zones

Air and Water Movement  Warm air and water are less dense and rise  Cooler, denser air and water sink  The action of Convection Currents move water causing currents and  Move air causing weather

Land Masses affect Climate  Land heats and cools faster than water:  Coastal regions (sea shore) have less temperature ranges than areas further away from large bodies of water  Water evaporates more near oceans, so the humidity and precipitation is higher  Mountains affect climate: warm moist air rises and cools and precipitates on one side of the mountain and the other side of the mountain is drier

Adaptation to Climate  Desert: spines on plants conserve water; big ears keep animal cool  Coniferous Forest: hibernation; pine needles to keep from freeze  Polar Zones- Large fat stores to maintain heat

Biomes

Marine Ecosystems Intertidal zone-area between high and low tides Neritic Zone- area to drop of continental shelf; home to plankton, phytoplankton & zooplankton; Phytoplankton is producer of ocean food web. Bathyal zone- high pressure; murky Abyssal zone- deep sea vents support chemosynthetic organisms; no sunlight

Coastal Waters- home to unique habitats  Coral Reefs- found in tropical climate zone; animals with mutualistic relationship with algae (both benefit from the other)  Artificial Reef- made by man to replace reefs damaged by weather or changes in salinity  Kelp Forests- a seaweed that grows in cold, nutrient-rich waters; seaweed; provide habitat and nutrients for many marine creatures (invertebrates to sea lions)

Estuaries and Fresh Water Ecosystems  Estuary- partially enclosed body of water where a river flows into the ocean; rich in nutrients and supports a diverse group organisms  (mix of freshwater and saltwater)  Same importance level as the tropical rainforests  Have many photosynthetic organisms (plants and protists that make food from sunlight)  The detritivore organisms (decomposers) return nutrients back to the ecosystem  Important for migrating birds  Habitat for many different species  Protects coastal area  Calm waters allow many species to lay eggs

Freshwater Ecosystems  Watershed- area that drains into a river system, river, or another body of water

 Wetlands- an area that has saturated soil for part of the year; Bogs, swamps, marshes  Provides a habitat for many species  Resting area for migrating birds  Filters water  Rivers and Streams- animals and plants have adaptations that allow them to deal with the fast moving water

Ponds and Lakes are divided into Zones  Littoral Zone- located between the high and low water areas of a lake or pond; well lit, warm and shallow  Limnetic Zone- open water further from shore; lots of plankton that feeds fish  Benthic Zone- bottom of lake or pond; decomposers  Layers of water with different temperatures: thermocline  Lakes and Ponds -“turn over” seasonally when the temperature of the surface gets cooler and sinks, trading places with warmer water beneath. This brings nutrients to the surface- called UPWELLING.