Moving Energy and Nutrients Through Ecosystems. Abiotic factors The non-living parts of the...
Transcript of Moving Energy and Nutrients Through Ecosystems. Abiotic factors The non-living parts of the...
Moving Energy and Nutrients Through Ecosystems
Abiotic factors• The non-living parts of the environment,
including the climate determine what can live where.
• Temperature• Available water• Soil type• Light Intensity• Wind• pH
Biotic Factors
• Include all the organisms as well as how they interact with the abiotic factors.– Examples of interactions?
Ecosystems (without humans)
• Consist of Biotic (Organisms) and Abiotic factors
• BOTH move energy through the ecosystem
• How is energy moved?
Organisms
• Producers– Convert environmental energy to carbon
bonds
• Consumers– Get energy from carbon bonds
• Herbivores• Carnivores• Omnivores• Detritivores (Decomposers)
Energy Flow Through the Ecosystem
A more biological view:
• Arrows show how energy flows - producer to consumer.
Energy Does NOT recycle!
• When we “use” food, we are actually breaking bonds between carbon atoms.
• This releases energy which can be used by an organism OR can be lost as heat.
• LOOK back at the diagram. What is the source of energy used by organisms?
Inorganic Nutrients
• Do NOT contain C-C bonds.
• Include:– Phosphorus (bones, teeth, cellular
membranes– Nitrogen (from protein)
– Water and CO2 (products of cellular respiration)
How Do Inorganic Nutrients Travel?
• Autotrophs take inorganic nutrients from the environmental reservoir and incorporate into molecules.– Generally from the soil or water surrounding the
autotroph
• Heterotrophs consume autotrophs and acquire the inorganic nutrients.– When organisms die, they become detritus (food
for decomposers)
• Decomposers return inorganics into the soil, water and air.
Summary
• The ultimate source of energy is _______• All energy is ultimately lost as _________• Energy is passed from organism to
organism through _____________• ___________ remove the last energy from
the remains of the organism (detritus)• _____________ nutrients are cycled but
_______________ is not.
Biogeochemical Cycles
• Inorganic nutrients can cycle through organisms, land, air, and water
• Inorganic nutrients are CHEMICALS (molecules) that CYCLE through BIOlogical and GEOlogical world
Terms to know
• Reservoir – parts of a cycle where a chemical is held for a long time
• Exchange pools – parts of a cycle where a chemical is held for a short time
• Residence time – length of time held in either a reservoir or an exchange pool.
Reservoir or exchange pool?
• Ocean
• Cloud
• Water movement through a plant
• Consumed food
• Rock
Four important cycles
• Water
• Carbon (and oxygen)
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle
CO2 inAtmosphere
CO2 in Ocean
Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle
N2 in Atmosphere
NH3
NO3-
and NO2-
Phosphorus Cycle
The take home message:
• How does energy move?
• How do inorganic nutrients move?