1. Ecosystems and Restoration Ecology
Energy flow vs. Matter Cycling!!! (MAJOR CONCEPT)
Net Primary Production = Gross Primary Primary– Autotrophic respiration
Energy Flow
Productivity
Biogeochemical Cycles
The impact of the biogeochemical cycles

2. Net annual primary production (above ground, dry g/m2 yr)
Figure 55.9
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
Net annual primary production (above ground, dry g/m2 yr)
Figure 55.9 A global relationship between net primary production and mean annual precipitation for terrestrial ecosystems.
Tempreature and Moisture are the key in controlling primary production!!!
Which biomes are more productive? Where are he highest productivity?
Aquatic: light and nutrient controls productivity 20 40 60 80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Mean annual precipitation (cm) 2

3. Plant material eaten by caterpillar
Figure 55.10
Plant material eaten by caterpillar
200 J
67 J
Figure Energy partitioning within a link of the food chain.
Cellular respiration
100 J
Feces
33 J
Not assimilated
Growth (new biomass; secondary production)
Assimilated 3

4. Figure 55.10 Energy partitioning within a link of the food chain.4

5. Tertiary consumers 10 J Secondary consumers 100 J Primary consumers
Figure 55.11
Tertiary consumers
10 J
Secondary consumers
100 J
Primary consumers
1,000 J
Primary producers
Figure An idealized pyramid of net production.
10% rule
10,000 J
1,000,000 J of sunlight 5

6. Dry mass (g/m2) Dry mass (g/m2)
Figure 55.12
Trophic level
Dry mass (g/m2)
Tertiary consumers
Secondary consumers
Primary consumers
Primary producers
1.5 11 37
809
(a) Most ecosystems (data from a Florida bog)
Figure Pyramids of biomass (standing crop  total biomass at a given time)
Trophic level
Dry mass (g/m2)
Primary consumers (zooplankton)
Primary producers (phytoplankton) 21 4
(b) Some aquatic ecosystems (data from the English Channel) 6

7. Burning of fossil fuels Formation of sedimentary rock
Figure 55.13
Reservoir A
Organic materials available as nutrients
Reservoir B Organic materials unavailable as nutrients
Fossilization
Living organisms, detritus
Peat
Coal
Oil
Respiration, decomposition, excretion
Burning of fossil fuels
Assimilation, photosynthesis
Reservoir D Inorganic materials unavailable as nutrients
Reservoir C Inorganic materials available as nutrients
Figure A general model of nutrient cycling.**Matters are stored in different “sinks”
Weathering, erosion
Atmosphere
Minerals in rocks
Water
Formation of sedimentary rock
Soil 7

8. Water Cycle Movement over land by wind Precipitation over land
Figure 55.14a
Water Cycle
Movement over land by wind
Evaporation from ocean
Precipitation over land
Precipitation over ocean
Evapotranspira- tion from land
Figure Exploring: Water and Nutrient Cycling
Percolation through soil
Runoff and groundwater 8

9. Burning of fossil fuels and wood
Figure 55.14b
Carbon Cycle
CO2 in atmosphere
Photosynthesis
Photo- synthesis
Cellular respiration
Burning of fossil fuels and wood
Phyto- plankton
Consumers
Figure Exploring: Water and Nutrient Cycling
Consumers
Decomposition 9

10. Decomposition and sedimentation
Figure 55.14c
Nitrogen Cycle
N2 in atmosphere
Reactive N gases
Industrial fixation
Denitrification
N fertilizers
Fixation
Runoff
Dissolved organic N
NO3–
Terrestrial cycling N2
NH4+
NO3–
Aquatic cycling
Denitri- fication
Figure Exploring: Water and Nutrient Cycling
**Organisms that are important!! (nitrogen fixation –legumes and bacterium Rhizobium),(nitrification  bacteria convert ammonium to nitrite then nitrate), (Denitrification  release back to air)
Decomposition and sedimentation
Assimilation
Decom- position
NO3–
Fixation in root nodules
Uptake of amino acids
Ammonification
Nitrification
NH3
NH4+
NO2– 10

11. Phosphorous Cycle Wind-blown dust Geologic uplift Weathering of rocks
Figure 55.14d
Phosphorous Cycle
Wind-blown dust
Geologic uplift
Weathering of rocks
Runoff
Consumption
Decomposition
Plant uptake of PO43–
Plankton
Dissolved PO43–
Uptake
Leaching
Figure Exploring: Water and Nutrient Cycling
Sedimentation
Decomposition 11

12. Litter decomposition as a function of annual mean temperature
Figure 55.15
EXPERIMENT
Ecosystem type
Arctic
Subarctic
Boreal
Temperate
Grassland
Mountain
Litter decomposition as a function of annual mean temperature
What are the implications in terms of nutrient cycling? A G M
B,C D P T
H,I S
E,F N L O U J K Q R
RESULTS 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
Figure Inquiry: How does temperature affect litter decomposition in an ecosystem?
Rate of decomposition is controlled by temperature, moisture, nutrient availability
High rate decomposition  so back to the trees
Rate doubles when each 10F  so low nutrients in the soil R U K O Q
Percent of mass lost T J P D S N F C I M L A H B E G
–15
–10 –5 5 10 15
Mean annual temperature (C) 12

13. Nitrate concentration in runoff (mg/L) Completion of tree cutting
Figure 55.16
(a) Concrete dam and weir
(b) Clear-cut watershed 80 60 40 20
Deforested
Figure Nutrient cycling in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest: an example of long-term ecological research.
Net loss of water, nutrient
Nitrate concentration in runoff (mg/L)
Completion of tree cutting 4 3 2 1
Control
1965
1966
1967
1968
(c) Nitrate in runoff from watersheds 13

14. Un-remediated N and/or P run-off
Consequences of
Un-remediated N and/or P run-off
deadzone

15. (a) In 1991, before restoration
Figure 55.17
Figure A gravel and clay mine site in New Jersey before and after restoration.
(a) In 1991, before restoration
(b) In 2000, near the completion of restoration 15

16. Closer to home: Narragansett Bay salt marsh restoration