Lecture notes Chapter 1

Objectives: 1) Climate, weather and Biomes, learn factors that influence climate, 2) Define Biome, Explain energy flow through ecosphere, biosphere, biomes, ecosystem, community, and trophic levels describing the food web. 3) Nutrient Cycles and the biogeochemical recycling of (CHNOPS) macro- element needed for life and the dynamic equilibrium, compared to micro- nutrients for balance of human-homeostasis 4) Succession and climax community for ecosystems transitions into a stable system that will continue as rain forest, coral reef etc. unless disturb, forever. The Biosphere encompasses life on earth, called the layer of life, 600 feet below sea level to 10,000-30,000 feet above sea level. The extremes on the outer fringes of the layer have fewer species that adapted to harsh conditions. The Biomes of the planet are categorized by regional climate that correlate to a dominant type of vegetation, relying on solar exposure, temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and cloud cover and latitudes north & South of the equator (ch.1 pg. 5). Climate variations are associated with earths tilting, rotation and orbit around the sun, changes in ocean temperatures, earths orbital geometry, volcanic activity causing atmospheric dust and reduced sunlight, variations solar radiation and

2 | P a g e activity (11 year cycle and 22 year magnetic field change), and increases in atmospheric gas that absorb heat energy and reflected back into space. *Climate is most affected by temperature Earths distance to the sun has very little influence on seasonal variations and seasons are caused by the tilting of the earth on its axis of 23.50 toward the sun (summer) and away from the sun (23.50) leading to winter season. (Ch.1 pg.4). Weather patterns are influenced by temperature changes on the earths surface causing wind patterns and whats known as Hadley Cells, heated air rises causing low pressure zones, and colder air will decline or drop causing high pressure zones we see on weather maps. Ecosystems are a component of a biome; a community is a component of an ecosystem, with a population as a component of a community, made up of organisms that can breed a reproduce offspring. A system is a collection of components that work together and interdependent on one another for a healthy ecosystem and dynamic equilibrium (biotic and abiotic). A climax community is a stable ecosystem that continues to grow and perpetuate itself in the absence of further disturbance These Biomes are influenced most by temperature and the amount of moisture (precipitation) received. Tundra- upper latitudes of artic-circle; freezing temperatures 6-10 months/year; and less than 5 inches of rain per year. Climax vegetation; small shrubs, mosses, lichens and some grasses. Taiga-below freezing 6 months per year; and less than 20 inches of rain per year. Climax vegetation; needle leaf, coniferous trees (spruce fir and pine). Temperate Forest-warm subtropical and cold winters, 30-60inches of rain per year. Climax vegetation; broadleaf deciduous forest (oak, maple beech, and elm).

3 | P a g e Temperate Grasslands-semi arid warm and hot, with10-30 inches of rain per year, Climax vegetation; perennial grasses with scatted woodlands. Tropical Savanna- average monthly temperature 700F, with wet (50 inches/yr.) and dry (<10in>

4 | P a g e As Energy is used it degrades by 90% each step of the food chain (trophic levels) as low quality waste heat (energy). Law of Conservation of Matter: Mater recycles as its transformed but cant be created or destroyed, and that everything is accounted for, and there is mass balance (Ex. Photosynthesis and Respiration)(Chap. 1, pg. 21) Laws of Thermodynamics; 1rst law-Energy is transformed from one form to another but cannot be created or destroyed 2nd law, energy will disperse or degrade from high quality to low quality in a process called entropy. There must be a constant input of solar energy (high quality) to drive the life forces on earth, and to maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium. An ecosystem follows this principle with trophic levels (Greek for feeding levels), or the food chain or web which is a complex consumption interrelationship. Nutrient Cycles-CNOPS and biogeochemical cycling, of essential nutrients to maintain life Macro-nutrients-Carbon(C),Hydrogen(H), Nitrogen(N), Oxygen(O), phosphorous(P) and Sulfur(S). Micro-nutrients-zinc, manganese, chlorine, iron, and copper; also known as trace elements The structure of matter-law of Conservation of Matter- Matter cant be created nor destroyed but only transformed by Bio-Geochemical Recycling of CHNOPS.

5 | P a g e Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen Phosphorous Sulfur Carbon cycle CO, CO2 (gaseous form), CaCO3 (solid form), and stored in Coal, Oil (solid form) and Natural Gas (gaseous form). Released into atmosphere by respiration, decomposing organic matter and burning carbon, absorbed by ocean mixing creating CaCO3 Nitrogen Cycle N2, NO, NO2,NO3 (gaseous form), NH3 (ammonia) Released by lightning in the atmosphere and nitrogen fixation by bacteria (Rhizobium) in soil to be used by plants. Nitrogen is also released by the erosion of nitrogen-rich rocks into soil and water. Phosphorous Cycle is not found in a gaseous form but phosphorous-rich rock in the sedimentary rock cycle (geologic time). Phosphorous is the main ingredient of ATP energy used inside animals and humans, and also found in DNA and RNA. Phosphate fertilizer and detergents have over-nitrified waters causing massive algae growths (blooms) and death of aquatic animals because the dissolved oxygen is consumed by algae.

6 | P a g e Ecosystem succession refers to the natural progressive changes to a biotic community toward a stable climax community. Primary succession example of a newly formed volcanic island which over time erodes, and collects dust for plant to grow like moss, algae and lichens. Secondary succession is when soil has been formed but may get eroded or plowed but remains for vegetation to come back more quickly. Many of the early plants to become established are called pioneer plants like wildflowers, grasses and shrubs. Retrogression is when an ecosystem is disrupted, degraded or damage from both natural and human cause, which may result in fewer species and biodiversity lost; becoming an imbalanced or unhealthy ecosystem. Earth is constantly in flux to stay in-balance but human growth and resource demands are putting stress on the natural systems leading to human diseases and illness (Ch. 1, pg. 30). Disruptions that that may cause major species loss, soil degradation, deforestation, desertification, water scarcity from pollution and contamination; that are not in the best interest of human survival or quality of life! Dynamic Equilibrium

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