1. Chapter 4 Ecosystems and the Physical Environment

2. Cycling of Materials  Matter moves between ecosystems, environments, and organisms  5 major cycles:  Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Water (hydrologic)

3. The Carbon Cycle

4. The Nitrogen Cycle

5. The Phosphorus Cycle

6. The Sulfur Cycle

7. The Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

8. Solar Radiation

9. Temperature Changes with Latitude  Solar energy does not hit earth uniformly  Due to earth’s spherical shape and tilt Equator (a) High concentration High Temperature Closer to Poles (c) Low concentration Low Temperature From (a) to (c) In diagram below

10. Temperature Changes with Season  Seasons determined by earth’s tilt

11. Atmospheric Layers

12. Atmospheric Circulation  Near Equator Equator

13.  Large winds due in part to pressures caused by global circulation of air Low Low Low High High High High Surface Winds

14.  Influence of the earth’s rotation on movement of air and fluids (water) Coriolis Effect

15.  Prevailing winds produce ocean currents and generate gyres  Pacific Gyre  Circular pattern influenced by Coriolis effect Patterns of Ocean Circulation This becomes important later when we talk about plastics in the ocean.

16. Patterns of Ocean Circulation Trade winds Westerlies

17. Surfers, Seals, and the Sea El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Periodic large scale warming of surface waters of tropical E. Pacific Ocean

18. ENSO Climate Patterns

19.  Weather  The conditions in the atmosphere at a given place and time  Temperature, precipitation, cloudiness, etc.  Climate  The average weather conditions that occur in a place over a period of years  2 most important factors: temperature and precipitation Weather and Climate

20. Rain Shadows