1. Ecosystems: Components, Energy Flow, and Matter Cycling
Key Components
Ecological Structure
Basic Components of the Ecosystem
Matter Cycles and Energy Flow

2. The Nature of Ecology Ecosystem organization
Organisms– Individual species
Population –
a group of the same species in a
Specific geographic region
Community – Two or more pop-
ulations interacting together
Ecosystem – All of the biotic and
Abiotic organisms interacting
Biome – Ecosystems of a geographic
Area with similar climate
Biosphere – The livings Earth

3. The Earth’s Life-Support Systems
Troposphere
Stratosphere
Hydrosphere
Lithosphere
Biosphere

4. Sustaining Life of Earth
One-way flow of energy
Cycling of matter

5. The Source of Energy

6. Ecosystem Concepts and Components
Biomes
Role of climate
Aquatic life zones

7. Biomes That You Are Responsible To Know Details About
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Temperate Grassland
Taiga
Tundra
Desert
Tropical Rainforest
Savanna

8. Ecosystem Boundaries: Ecotones
AKA – Edge (Edge Effect)
More Biodiversity

9. Principles of Ecological Factors
Abiotic factors
Law of tolerance
Biotic factors
Limiting factors
Density Independent
Density Dependent

10. Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

11. The Carbon Cycle (Terrestrial)

12. The Carbon Cycle (Aquatic)

13. Carbon Cycle 6CO2 + 6H20 + Sunlight  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration
Occurs in the Chloroplast
Stroma
Thyllakoid Membrane
Grana
2 part process
Light Dependent = Occurs in the thyllakoid membrane
Light Independent = Occurs in the stroma
6CO2 + 6H20 + Sunlight  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Occurs in the Cytoplasm and Mitochondria
Inner membrane (Cristae) increase surface area
Anaerobic occurs without oxygen = Produces less Carbon dioxide
Aerobic occurs with oxygen = produces lots of CO2
C6H O2 6C02 + 6H ATP

15. Words to Know Cross-section of Leaf Photosynthesis Cuticle Epidermis
Palisade Mesophyll
Spongy Mesophyll
Stoma (Stomata)
Guard Cell
Vascular Bundle (Vein)
Xylem
Phloem
Light Dependent Reactions
Light Independent (Dark) Reactions
Calvin Cycle
Cellular Respiration
Glycolysis
Kreb’s (Citric Acid) Cycle
Electron Transport Chain

16. The Nitrogen Cycle
Fig p. 86

17. Nitrogen Cycle Recap Nitrogen Fixatation Ammonification Nitrification
Denitrification
Assimilation
Legume

18. Nitrogen Cycle Recap

19. The Sulfur Cycle

20. The Phosphorus Cycle

21. The Biotic Components of Ecosystems
Producers (autotrophs)-
make their own
food
Consumers (heterotrophs) –
Obtain nutrients
Herbivores
Carnivores
Scavengers
Detrivores
Saprophytes (Decomposers)

22. Biological Interactions – Food Webs The more organisms in FW, the more biodiverse the ecosystem
Arrows show the direction of energy flow

23. Trophic Pyramid
Shows the energy available at every step of a food chain
Trophic Level = an organisms place in a food chain
Most organisms can occupy more than one trophic level
Bottom of the pyramid will ALWAYS be producers
Decomposers are not usually included in a pyramid

25. Bioaccumulation Toxins build up in the ecosystem

26. Biomagnification- Impact is greater at the top of the food chain

28. Ecological Pyramids Pyramid of energy flow Ecological efficiency
Fig p. 79
Ecological efficiency
Pyramid of biomass
Pyramid of numbers

29. Primary Productivity of Ecosystems
Gross primary productivity (GPP)
Net primary productivity (NPP)
Fig p. 81

30. How Do Ecologists Learn About Ecosystems?
Field research
Remote sensing
Geographic information systems (GIS)
Laboratory research
Systems analysis

31. Remote Sensing Examples
Deforestation in the Amazon

33. Deforestation and Development in Bolivia

34. GIS and Systems Analysis
Fig p. 91
Fig p. 91

35. Ecosystem Services and Sustainability