Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work? Chapter 3 Sections 1-4

Nature of Ecology What is ecology? What is ecology? The study of connections in nature The study of connections in nature “Oikos” means house or place to live. “Oikos” means house or place to live. Study of how organisms interact with each other. Study of how organisms interact with each other. Organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, Organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, And biosphere. And biosphere. Organism: Any form of life. Single cell, plant or animal Organism: Any form of life. Single cell, plant or animal Cells: Basic unit of life Cells: Basic unit of life Species: Groups of organisms that share characteristics. Species: Groups of organisms that share characteristics.

Fig. 3-2, p. 37 Insects 751,000 Protists 57,700 Plants 248,400 Prokaryotes 4,800 Fungi 69,000 Other animals 281,000

Populations, Communities, and Ecosystems Populations: Group of individuals inhabiting the same area. Populations: Group of individuals inhabiting the same area. Genetic diversity: The physical variations among individuals in a population. Genetic diversity: The physical variations among individuals in a population. Biological community: All the populations of different species in an area Biological community: All the populations of different species in an area Ecosystems: Communities interacting with the natural environment of matter and energy. Ecosystems: Communities interacting with the natural environment of matter and energy. Biosphere: All of earth’s systems interacting. Biosphere: All of earth’s systems interacting.

What Sustains Life on Earth? Troposphere Troposphere 17km 17km Stratosphere Stratosphere 17-48km 17-48km Hydrosphere Hydrosphere All water All water Lithosphere Lithosphere Earth’s crust and upper mantle Earth’s crust and upper mantle Biosphere Biosphere All living things. All living things.

Atmosphere Biosphere Crust Lower mantle Asthenosphere Upper mantle Continental crust Oceanic crust Lithosphere Vegetation and animals Soil Rock Crust (soil and rock) Atmosphere (air) Biosphere (living and dead organisms) Lithosphere (crust, top of upper mantle) Hydrosphere (water) Core Mantle

Earth’s Life-Support Systems One way flow of high- quality energy One way flow of high- quality energy Cycling of energy through an ecosystem. Results in heat. Cycling of energy through an ecosystem. Results in heat. Cycling of matter Cycling of matter Atoms, ions cycled throught parts of the biosphere. Fixed supply of Nutrients. Atoms, ions cycled throught parts of the biosphere. Fixed supply of Nutrients.

Fig. 3-6, p. 39 Biosphere Carbon cycle Phosphorus cycle Nitrogen cycle Water cycle Oxygen cycle Heat in the environment Heat

Flow of Solar Energy to and from the Earth Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases Water vapor Water vapor CO2 CO2 Methane Methane Nitrous oxide Nitrous oxide ozone ozone Greenhouse effect Greenhouse effect Trapping of heat by the troposphere. Supports all life. Trapping of heat by the troposphere. Supports all life.

Greenhouse effect Heat radiated by the earth Solar radiation Absorbed by ozone UV radiation Visible light Absorbed by the earth Reflected by atmosphere (34%) Energy in = Energy out Radiated by atmosphere as heat (66%) Lower Stratosphere (ozone layer) Troposphere Greenhouse effect Heat