Modified by Beth Roland Jacobs Fork Middle School Ecology Unit- part 2 Modified by Beth Roland Jacobs Fork Middle School

Biogeochemical Cycles (Matter moving through the environment) All living organisms need certain elements/compounds for life processes Ex: your cells need Carbon,Hydrogen,Oxygen,Phosphorus,Nitrogen & Sulfur in order to live and reproduce (make more cells) Cycles in nature keep these elements “moving” from organisms to organism (and sometimes into the atmosphere)

Biogeochemical Cycles (Matter moving through the environment) The flow of a nutrient from the environment to living organisms and back to the environment Main reservoir for the nutrient is in the environment Transfer rates to and from reservoir are usually lower than the rates of exchange between and among organisms. Matter is recycled through an ecosystem – not one way flow

Three Categories Hydrologic cycle Atmospheric cycles Water Atmospheric cycles Nitrogen and carbon Sedimentary cycles Phosphorus and sulfur

CYCLES IN NATURE

Carbon Cycle Carbon moves through the atmosphere and food webs on its way to and from the ocean, sediments, and rocks Sediments and rocks are the main reservoir

Carbon Cycle diffusion Atmosphere Bicarbonate, carbonate Terrestrial photosynthesis TERRESTRIAL ROCKS volcanic action weathering diffusion Atmosphere Bicarbonate, carbonate Terrestrial Rocks Land Food Webs Marine food webs Soil Water Peat, Fossil Fuels Marine Sediments

Carbon in the Oceans Most carbon in the ocean is dissolved carbonate and bicarbonate Ocean currents carry dissolved carbon

Carbon in Atmosphere Atmospheric carbon is mainly carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is added to atmosphere Aerobic respiration, volcanic action, burning fossil fuels, decomposition of organic materials Removed by photosynthesis

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is used in amino acids and nucleic acids (all living organism need nitrogen to make proteins) Main reservoir is nitrogen gas in the atmosphere Decomposers are vital to convert ammonia into: usable nitrites & nitrates for plants (nitrogen fixation) nitrogen gas (denitrification = puts it back into the atmosphere)

Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is part of phospholipids and all nucleotides What are these? The basis of all DNA and cell membranes It is the most prevalent limiting factor in ecosystems Main reservoir is Earth’s crust; no gaseous phase (it never enters the atmosphere – like carbon and nitrogen)

Phosphorus Cycle mining FERTILIZER excretion GUANO agriculture weathering uptake by autotrophs uptake by autotrophs MARINE FOOD WEBS DISSOLVED IN OCEAN WATER weathering DISSOLVED IN SOILWATER, LAKES, RIVERS LAND FOOD WEBS death, decomposition death, decomposition sedimentation setting out leaching, runoff uplifting over geolgic time MARINE SEDIMENTS ROCKS

Chapter 3 – Communities & Biomes Vocabulary to Know: Limiting Factor Succession Primary Secondary Climax Community

Community All the populations that live together in a habitat Habitat is the type of place where individuals of a species typically live Type of habitat shapes a community’s structure

Biogeography The study of the distribution of organisms and the processes that underlie distribution patterns

Factors that Affect Distribution Geologic history Topography Climate Species interactions

Climate Average weather condition in a region Affected by: amount of incoming solar radiation prevailing winds elevation

Rotation and Wind Direction Earth rotates faster under the air at the equator than it does at the poles Deflection east and west

Seasonal Variation Northern end of Earth’s axis tilts toward sun in June and away in December Difference in tilt causes differences in sunlight intensity and day length The greater the distance from the equator, the more pronounced the seasonal changes

Ocean Currents Upper waters move in currents that distribute nutrients and affect regional climates

Rain Shadow Air rises on the windward side, loses moisture before passing over the mountain

Biomes Regions of land characterized by habitat conditions and community structure Distinctive biomes prevail at certain latitudes and elevations

Biomes

Population Size Factors that affect: Natality Mortality/Fatality Immigration Emigration                                                     

Population Density

Environmental Limits on populations Density-dependent Disease Food Parasitism Predation Competition Intraspecific Interspecific Density-independent Temperature Storms Floods Drought Habitat Disruption

Organism Interactions Limit Populations Predation Competition Both types Parasitism Crowding/stress

Chapter 5: Diversity & Conservation Importance to nature Importance to people Oxygen Diet Medicines

Loss of Diversity Threatened Species Endangered Species Extinction of Species

Threats to Biodiversity Habitat Loss Habitat Fragmentation Biotic Issues Abiotic Issues Habitat Degradation Air Pollution Water Pollution Land Pollution

Exotic Species Example: Page 124 Non-native organisms that “move-in” to a particular area There can be a lack of competitors = exponential growth Can take over the niches of native species

Conservation Sustainable use: Use what you need, but don’t damage the ecosystem Is this a good example of sustainable use?

Humans & The Environment Ozone (O3) Depletion O3 forms a “good layer” around the Earth CFC release is breaking down the protective ozone layer UV rays increase skin cancers & other cell mutations to plants & animals!

How is Acidity Measured? When we observe acid rain, acidity is measured in units called pH. The pH scale is from 0 to 14 pH 7 indicates neutral higher pH numbers = alkalinity (base) smaller numbers = acid We’ll do more on pH in the “Biochemistry” chapter

Natural Acid Precipitation CO2 combines with water to form a weak acid H2CO3 (carbonic acid) But we are adding to the problem… by adding nitric and sulfuric acids Look at the “clean rain” – it’s already slightly acidic???

Effects of Acid Precipitation In Japan, rain which registers pH 5.6 or less is considered acid rain; some 80-90% of the rain that falls in Japan in a year is acid rain. In Japan, acid rain with acidity equal to lemon juice has been observed at Mount Tsukuba in 1984 (pH 2.5) and at Kagoshima in 1987 (pH 2.45). The problem is even more serious in North America and Europe. In those regions, forests are withering and lakes becoming uninhabitable to fish, and stone structures such as buildings and bronze statues are being damaged by corrosion. 1970 1985

Humans & The Environment Global Warming “The Greenhouse Effect” Fossil fuels give off lots of CO2 This builds a blanket around the earth It is predicted that the Earth temp. will increase ~50C before 2050 = Ice age????

Carbon Dioxide Increase Carbon dioxide levels fluctuate seasonally The average level is steadily increasing Burning of fossil fuels & deforestation are contributing to the increase

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases impede the escape of heat from Earth’s surface

Global Warming Long-term increase in the temperature of Earth’s lower atmosphere

Other Greenhouse Gases CFCs - synthetic gases used in plastics and in refrigeration Methane - produced by termites and bacteria Nitrous oxide - released by bacteria, fertilizers, and animal wastes