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Ecosystems: Components, Energy Flow, and Matter Cycling

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

13th EditionMATES

Chapter 4

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Key Concepts

Basic ecological principles

Major components of ecosystems

Matter cycles and energy flow

Ecosystem studies

Ecological services

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The Nature of Ecology

Ecosystem organization

Organisms; any form of life

Populations Same species living in the same area

Communities Population of all species in an area

Ecosystems Interaction of all abiotic and biotic in an area

Biosphere zone where life is foundFig. 4-2 p. 66

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The Earth’s Life-Support Systems

Troposphere Inner layer of Atmosphere 11 mile s most of the air

Stratosphere 11-30 miles Ozone

Hydrosphere Water surface ground

Lithosphere Crust upper mantle

Biosphere Living environment Fig. 4-6 p. 68

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Sustaining Life of Earth

One-way flowof energy

Low quality energy lost as heat

Cycling ofmatter

Earth is fixed from space molecules, ions, atoms recycled

Fig. 4-7 p. 69

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The Source of Energy

Fig. 4-8 p. 69

PhotosynthesisCellular Respiration

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Ecosystem Concepts and Components

Biomes Classified by climate

Fig. 4-9 p. 70

Role of climate

Aquatic life zones

Freshwater Saltwater

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Ecosystem Boundaries: Ecotones

Fig. 4-10 p. 71

Edge effectOne Ecosystem merges with another

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Principles of Ecological FactorsAbiotic factorsBiotic factors

Law of tolerance Range of tolerance of species High tolerance to some low to others

Limiting factors Ex. Water

Fig. 4-14 p. 73; Refer to Fig. 4-13 p. 73

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The Biotic Components of Ecosystems Producers

(autotrophs) Photosynthesis Consumers

(heterotrophs) Aerobic

respiration Decomposers Fig. 4-16 p. 75

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Trophic Levels

Primary consumer (herbivore)

Secondary consumer (carnivore)

Tertiary consumer

Omnivore

Detritivores and scavengers

Decomposers

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Biodiversity

Genetic diversity Variety of genetic material within a population Why is this important?

Species diversity Number of species present in a habitat

Ecological diversity Variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

Functional diversity The energy flow and matter cycling

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Connections: Food Webs and Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Fig. 4-18 p. 77; Refer to Fig. 4-19 p. 78

Food chains Food webs

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Ecological Pyramids

Pyramid ofenergy flow

Ecologicalefficiency

Pyramid ofbiomass

Pyramid ofnumbers

Fig. 4-20 p. 79

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Primary Productivity of EcosystemsGross primary productivity (GPP) Rate at which primary producers convert solar to biomassNet primary productivity (NPP) Stored energy minus the rate at which they use

Fig. 4-25 p. 81

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Connections: Matter Cycling in Ecosystems

Biogeochemical cycles

Hydrologic cycle (H2O)

Atmospheric cycles (C, N)

Sedimentary cycles (P, S)

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Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Fig. 4-27 p. 83

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The Carbon Cycle (Terrestrial)Photosynthesis/ cellular Respiration

Fig. 4-28 p. 84-85

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The Carbon Cycle (Aquatic)

Fig. 4-28 p. 84-85

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The Nitrogen CycleFig. 4-29 p. 86

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The Phosphorus Cycle Sulfate salts Oceans

Fig. 4-30 p. 88

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The Sulfur Cycle

Fig. 4-31 p. 89

-Stored in salts buried under ocean-Enters Atmosphere Hydrogen Sulfide “What Smells?”-Algae produce Dimethyl Sulfide “Nuclei for Clouds”-Sulfur Dioxide to Sulfur Trioxide to Sulfuric Acid

- Bacteria Anaerobic Sulfate to Sulfide and th cycle continues

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How Do Ecologists Learn About Ecosystems?

Field research

Remote sensing

Geographic information systems (GIS)

Laboratory research

Systems analysis

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GIS and Systems Analysis

Fig. 4-33 p. 91Fig. 4-32 p. 91

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Ecosystem Servicesand Sustainability

Fig. 4-34 p. 92