ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES By Dr YEDES F. ADOU

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING OBJECTIVES Recognize the characteristics of major aquatic and terrestrial biomes and understand the most factors that determine the distribution of each type. Summarize the overall patterns of human disturbance of world biomes. Explain the principles of landscape ecology and ecosystem management. Evaluate the pros and cons of restoring, replacing, or substituting ecosystems and resources for those we have damaged.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING OUTLINE Primary and Secondary Successions Terrestrial Biomes Aquatic Ecosystems Human Disturbance Landscape Ecology Restoration Ecology Ecosystem Management

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING I. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUCCESSIONS F Ecosystems are dynamic. F Succession: A series of regular, predictable changes in the structure of a community over time. å Occurs because perturbations to an area often make the environment less suitable for current organisms and more suitable for others.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING F Primary Succession - Begins with bare mineral surfaces or water. F Secondary Succession - Begins with disturbance of an existing ecosystem.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING I.1 Terrestrial Primary Succession F Pioneer Community: Collection of organisms able to colonize bare rock (ie lichens). F Lichens help break down rock and accumulate debris, helping to form a thin soil layer. F Soil layer begins to support small life forms.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING F Life forms replace lichen community. F New community replaced by perennial plant community. F Perennial plant community replaced by shrubs. F Shrubs replaced by shade intolerant trees (sunlight). F Shade intolerant trees replaced by shade tolerant trees. F Eventually a climax community is reached - Stable, long-lasting.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING F In general, climax communities are more stable and have larger, more diverse populations of species than earlier stages of succession. F Successional (seral) stage - each step in the process.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING I.2 Aquatic Primary Succession F Except for oceans, most aquatic systems are considered temporary. F All aquatic systems receive inputs of soil particles and organic matter from land. - results in gradual filling of shallow bodies of water. å Plants can begin to take root.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING I.3 Secondary Succession F Occurs when an existing community is disturbed or destroyed (forest fire, flood, etc.) F With most disturbances, most of the soil remains, and many nutrients necessary for plant growth may be available for reestablishment of the previous ecosystem. F Tends to be more rapid than primary growth (* not from a rock).

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING II. TERRESTRIAL BIOMES Biomes - Areas sharing similar climate, topographic and soil conditions, and roughly comparable communities.  Temperature and Precipitation are among the most important determinants in biome distribution.  Most terrestrial biomes are identified by the dominant plants of their communities.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Deserts Characterized by low moisture levels and precipitation that is infrequent and unpredictable from year to year. Wide daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Soils are easily disturbed by human activities, and slow to recover. Plants exhibit water conservation characteristics.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING F Less than 25cm annual precipitation. F Precipitation unevenly distributed throughout the year. F Large daily temp fluctuations. F Most species exhibit specialized adaptations to climate.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Grasslands Communities of grasses, seasonal herbaceous flowering plants, and open savannas. Few trees due to inadequate rainfall (25-75cm of annual precipitation). Large daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Historic grazing by roaming herds of large ungulates. Fire regime usually present. (Rainfall sporadic enough to cause draughts)

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Conifer Forests Cone-Bearing Plants reduce water loss by evolving thin, needle-like evergreen leaves with thick waxy coating.  Can survive harsh winters or extended droughts and accomplish photosynthesis even under poor conditions. Fire often plays role in maintenance.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING F Located near equator where temp. is relatively warm and constant. F Most areas receive over 200cm annual rainfall. F Laterite soil allows high levels of leaching, thus most nutrients are tied- up in biomass. F Very high species diversity. Tropical Rainforests

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING III. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS Saltwater ecosystems cover vastly more total area and contain much greater volume of water than all freshwater bodies combined.  Oceans hold bulk of world’s water. Aquatic ecosystems are influenced by local characteristics of climate, soil, and resident communities, and also by adjacent terrestrial ecosystems Freshwater Eco. and Marine Ecosystems

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Critical Aquatic Characteristics Dissolved Substances Suspended Matter Depth Temperature Flow Rate Bottom Characteristics Internal Convective Currents Connectivity to Other Aquatic Ecosystems

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Vertical Component Vertical stratification is an important aspect of many aquatic ecosystems.  Organisms tend to form distinctive vertical sub-communities. - Benthos - Bottom sub-community.  Low oxygen levels - Thermocline - Distinctive temperature transition zone that separates warm upper layer and deeper cold layer.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Estuaries Estuaries - Bays or semi-enclosed bodies of brackish water that form where rivers enter the ocean.  Usually carry rich sediments. - Fan-shaped sediment deposit (delta) formed on shallow continental shelves.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Wetlands Land surface is saturated or covered with water at least part of the year.  Swamps - Wetlands with trees  Marshes - Wetlands without trees  Bogs and Fens - Waterlogged soils that tend to accumulate peat. Water usually shallow enough to allow full sunlight penetration. Trap and filter water, and store runoff.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Coastal Barrier Islands - Low, narrow, sandy islands that form offshore from a coastline.  Protect inland shores from surf.  Prized for human development. - Loss of vegetation triggers erosion. Coral Reefs - Accumulated calcareous skeletons of colonial organisms (coral).  Depth limited by light penetration.  Among most endangered communities.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Barrier Islands

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING IV. HUMAN DISTURBANCE By some estimates, humans preempt about 40% of net terrestrial primary productivity. Temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests are the most completely human-dominated biome. Tundra and Arctic Deserts are the least disturbed. About half of all original wetlands in the US have been degraded over the past 250 years.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING V. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY Landscape Ecology - The study of reciprocal effects of spatial patterns on ecological processes.  Spatial patterns shape, and are shaped by, ecological processes occurring in them.  Considers humans an element of most landscapes. - Few places, if any, are devoid of human impacts.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Patchiness and Heterogeneity Landscape ecologists claim all landscapes consist of similar mosaics of discrete, bounded patches with different biotic or abiotic composition.  Predominate cover type acts as a matrix in which other patch types are embedded. - Landscape heterogeneity can exist across a wide range of scales.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Landscape Dynamics Boundaries between habitat patches are considered significant.  Dynamics between patches may be of greater importance than processes within each patch. - Departs from classic ecological focus, and aligns with conservation biology.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING VI. RESTORATION ECOLOGY Restoration Ecology - Seeks to repair or reconstruct damaged ecosystems.  Restoration - Active manipulation to re- create species composition and ecosystem processes as close to pre-disturbance state as possible.  Rehabilitation - Attempt to rebuild ecological structure or function without necessarily achieving original conditions.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Restoration Ecology  Remediation - Cleaning chemical contaminants from a polluted area by physical or biological methods. - Living organisms are highly effective cleaning agents for many contaminants.  Reclamation - Chemical or physical manipulations of severely degraded sites. - Historically - irrigation projects to transform wetlands and deserts into agricultural production.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Restoration Ecology  Re-creation - Attempts to construct new biological communities on a severely disturbed site where basically nothing is left to restore.  Mitigation - Developers and government agencies are often required to mitigate damage caused in one area by re-creating a comparable biological community somewhere else.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Restoration Ecology Questions: Is the best strategy to avoid destruction in the first place, or is nature a simple social creation to be molded ? Under what conditions can / should we walk away let nature heal itself ? What role should community / plant authenticity place in restoration ?  Which historic state should an area be restored to ?

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING VII. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT Ecosystem Management - Attempts to integrate ecological, economic, and social goals in a unified systems approach. Most resource agencies (Federal and state) are attempting to identify endangered landscapes and implement ecosystem management as their guiding policy.  Turning away from commodity production and commercial / recreational resource use as top priority.

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Ecosystem Management Critiques We do not understand ecosystems in the detail necessary to manage them as single entities. In developing countries, immediate needs of the poor will hamper enforcement of environmental protection. Preservation / Management

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING Primary and Secondary Successions Terrestrial Biomes Aquatic Ecosystems Human Disturbance Landscape Ecology Restoration Ecology Ecosystem Management SUMMARY

ECOTECHNOLOGICAL CIVIL ENGINEERING BY Dr YEDES ADOU, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, DEPT. of ENVIRONM. ENGINEERING