The Biosphere - The Biosphere - Matter and Energy, Matter and Energy,

Interdependence in NatureInterdependence in NatureChapter 3Chapter 3

Studying our Living PlanetStudying our Living Planet

Life on a global scale – biosphereLife on a global scale – biosphere Includes land, water, atmosphere and LIVING Includes land, water, atmosphere and LIVING

THINGSTHINGS Extends 8 km above the land surface and 11 km Extends 8 km above the land surface and 11 km

below the ocean surfacebelow the ocean surface Ecology – study of the interactions between Ecology – study of the interactions between

organisms and their surroundingsorganisms and their surroundings

Studying Our Living PlanetStudying Our Living Planet

Levels of organizationLevels of organization SpeciesSpecies PopulationPopulation CommunityCommunity EcosystemEcosystem BiomeBiome biospherebiosphere

Biotic and Abiotic FactorsBiotic and Abiotic Factors

Biotic – any part of the Biotic – any part of the living environmentliving environment AnimalsAnimals PlantsPlants MushroomsMushrooms bacteriabacteria

Abiotic – any nonliving Abiotic – any nonliving part of the environmentpart of the environment SunlightSunlight HeatHeat PrecipitationPrecipitation HumidityHumidity WindWind Water currentsWater currents Soil typesSoil types

Ecological MethodsEcological Methods

Three methods Three methods ObservationObservation

Use of sensesUse of senses Can be simple or complexCan be simple or complex

ExperimentationExperimentation Can be set-up in a lab or out in a select-part of natural Can be set-up in a lab or out in a select-part of natural

environmentenvironment ModelingModeling

Energy, Producers & ConsumersEnergy, Producers & Consumers

Energy = life functionEnergy = life function Ultimate energy source = Ultimate energy source =

the sunthe sun Some organisms use Some organisms use

chemical energy from chemical energy from inorganic sourcesinorganic sources

Autotrophs – organisms that Autotrophs – organisms that use solar or chemical energy use solar or chemical energy to produce “food”to produce “food”

AKA – primary producersAKA – primary producers

Primary ProducersPrimary Producers

Solar energy converted Solar energy converted through photosynthesisthrough photosynthesis Converts COConverts CO22 &H &H22O into O into

OO22 and carbohydrates and carbohydrates Plants (on land) and Plants (on land) and

algae (in the water)algae (in the water) Chemical energy Chemical energy

converted where light is converted where light is not available or not available or conditions are harsh - conditions are harsh - chemosynthesischemosynthesis

ConsumersConsumers

Heterotrophs Heterotrophs – get their – get their energy from energy from consumptionconsumption

AKA – AKA – consumersconsumers

Types of Types of consumer – consumer – based on based on what they eatwhat they eat

Energy Flow in EcosystemsEnergy Flow in Ecosystems

Food Chains and Food WebsFood Chains and Food Webs Everyone is linked through feeding relationshipsEveryone is linked through feeding relationships Energy flow Energy flow one way stream from producers to one way stream from producers to

consumersconsumers Food Chain – series of steps that move energy Food Chain – series of steps that move energy

from eating to eatenfrom eating to eaten All food chains start with a producerAll food chains start with a producer

Terrestrial – plantsTerrestrial – plants Aquatic – either plants OR phytoplanktonAquatic – either plants OR phytoplankton

Examples of Food ChainsExamples of Food Chains

Energy Flow in EcosystemsEnergy Flow in Ecosystems

Most feeding relationships are more Most feeding relationships are more complicated than a simple seriescomplicated than a simple series Most organisms have a multi-food dietMost organisms have a multi-food diet

Food WebFood Web Network of feeding interactionsNetwork of feeding interactions Also starts with a producer (SAME AS FOOD Also starts with a producer (SAME AS FOOD

CHAINS)CHAINS) Links multiple food chainsLinks multiple food chains Effects of disturbances?Effects of disturbances?

Example of Food WebExample of Food Web

Trophic Levels and Ecological Trophic Levels and Ecological PyramidsPyramids

Trophic level – each Trophic level – each step in a food chain or step in a food chain or food webfood web

Biomass – total amount Biomass – total amount of living tissue in a of living tissue in a given trophic levelgiven trophic level

Trophic Levels and Ecological Trophic Levels and Ecological PyramidsPyramids

Ecological pyramid – show relative amount of matter Ecological pyramid – show relative amount of matter or energy within a given food chain or webor energy within a given food chain or web The rule of 10 – in general, only 10 percent of the energy The rule of 10 – in general, only 10 percent of the energy

available in one level is stored in the level aboveavailable in one level is stored in the level above Organisms use most of the energy they get on life Organisms use most of the energy they get on life

processes … the rest is release as heat processes … the rest is release as heat Higher up the pyramid – organisms require more food to Higher up the pyramid – organisms require more food to

get the energy they need … so there are less of them!get the energy they need … so there are less of them!