1. TOPIC 1 Lesson 3 Ecosystems at a variety of scales. Syllabus Link 1.1.2 - Apply the systems concept on a range of scales.

2. What do we mean by scales?

3. Ecosystems at Different Scales We will look at Ecosystems that are at 3 separate scales: 1.GAIA – The “global” ecosystem. 2.BIOME – Large / national scale ecosystem. 3.POND – Local scale ecosystem.

4. Gaia Intro 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGuRX0x NaI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGuRX0x NaI Gaia Intro2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tXfX4qp Gjc up to 2:32 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tXfX4qp Gjc

5. GAIA 1979 – James Lovelock “the Earth is a planet- sized organism, and the atmosphere is its organ that regulates it and connects all its parts”. He argued that the biosphere keeps the composition of the atmosphere within certain boundaries by negative feedback mechanisms. Wider Reading: http://www.scienceclarified.com/Ex-Ga/Gaia-Hypothesis.htmlhttp://www.scienceclarified.com/Ex-Ga/Gaia-Hypothesis.html Interactive Simulation: http://library.thinkquest.org/C003763/flash/gaia1.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/C003763/flash/gaia1.htm

6. His argument was based on: Earth’s surface temperature remains constant, even though the sun is emitting 30% more energy than when the Earth was formed. The composition of the atmosphere is constant (79% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, 0.03% CO2). Oxygen is a reactive gas but its proportion in the atmosphere doesn’t change. Ocean salinity is constant at around 3.4%.

7. The Biosphere Stretches from the bottom of the oceans to the lower layer of the atmosphere.

8. BIOME “A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat” Log on to www.worldbiomes.com as a starting point.www.worldbiomes.com What are the major biomes around the world? Create a mind-map that covers all the major types and sub-types, including examples and key characteristics.

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI y0ZlyPPDg

14. LOCAL SCALE - POND http://www.thewaterpage.com/pond- ecosystem.htm Draw a system diagram for the pond here at KGV. You may wish to take photographs / make notes around the pond to bring back to help you.

17. Pond Ecosystem Diagram