1. Ecosystem Processes and Disruption By the end of this lesson you will: Be aware of two key ecosystem functions; Energy and Nutrient Cycling. Consider how these factors can be easily disrupted by people, impacting on ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. Recap: Threats to Biodiversity What are the key factors which threaten the Biodiversity Hotspot of the Galapagos Islands? How are they being managed? What is the future for Galapagos?

3. Energy Flows All energy in an ecosystem originally comes from the sun. Producers (green plants) photosynthesise this light energy and turn it into starch or food energy. This energy then passes through a food chain from Consumers through to Top Predators. Energy is lost at each stage as it is used for: – – – – This reduces the Biomass at each level so: Large Oak Tree->Caterpillars->Sparrows->Sparrow Hawks TASK: PRODUCE A POSTER USING PAGE 79 IN GREEN BOOK AND 126 IN OXFORD.

4. Nutrient Cycling This is the cycling of chemical elements from the environment to organisms and back again to the environment. Nutrients are stored in three locations: –Soil –Living Biomass –Surface Litter The nutrients transfer between stores through a range of processes. It is an open system so some nutrients are lost from the system. TASK: ON THE BACK OF YOUR POSTER COPY THE DIAGRAM ON PAGE 80 AND ANNOTATE TO EXPLAIN. People can have a big impact on the cycle through adding fertilisers, harvesting biomass, deforestation and soil degradation.

5. TASK: 1.Have a go at Question 3 ‘on your own’ on page 114 of the OXFORD textbook. Think carefully about the affects of deforestation on tropical rainforest nutrient cycling. 2.How might this operate in other ecosystems.

6. Independent Study Ensure you have completed the tasks and understand the concepts covered so far. Complete the exam question and Galapagos Case Study task and use the textbook to help you expand on the management section. Use the geofactsheets and Moodle to develop your understanding. Geofactsheet 208 is particularly recommended. Have a look at: http://www.s- cool.co.uk/alevel/geography/ecosystems/ecosy stem-processes.htmlhttp://www.s- cool.co.uk/alevel/geography/ecosystems/ecosy stem-processes.html