Term
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Definition
A self-regulating association
of living plants and animals and their
physical environment |
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Term
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Definition
Study of the relationships
between organisms and their
environment |
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Term
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Definition
Study of the distribution
of plants and animals |
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Term
Albatross nests
and reduction
in population
due to squid
harvesting on
Falkland
Islands |
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Definition
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Term
Abiotic and
Biotic
Components of
Ecosystems |
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Definition
Solar energy is the
input that drives
the biosphere
Heat energy and
biomass are the
outputs from the
biosphere |
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Term
|
Definition
An ecosystem is the interaction of many
communities |
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Term
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Definition
a biotic subdivision within an
ecosystem: |
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Term
A community is a biotic subdivision within an
ecosystem |
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Definition
Formed by interactions among populations of living
animals and plants
– Defined by its physical appearance, number of
species, interdependence and feeding structure |
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Term
| Two important concepts within a community |
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Definition
Habitat: Specific physical location of an organism and
type of environment in which it resides
– Niche: Function or occupation of a life form within a
community |
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Term
|
Definition
Forest ecosystem:
Lake ecosystem: |
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Term
|
Definition
– Forest floor community
– Another community functions in the canopy
of leaves |
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Term
|
Definition
– Plants and animals that flourish in bottom
sediments form one community
– Those near the surface form another
community |
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Term
|
Definition
| In a stable community, all niches are filled |
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Term
| Relationships among species in a community: |
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Definition
Predatory: Some species prey on others
– Symbiotic: Two or more species exist together in
overlapping relationship: |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
|
Definition
energy by converting
carbohydrates through respiration for their
other operations:
– C6H12O6 + 6O2 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy |
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Term
| The compensation point is |
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Definition
the break-even point
between production and consumption of organic
material:
– Each leaf must act on the production side
– Net Primary Productivity: Amount of stored chemical
energy (biomass) that the community generates for
the ecosystem |
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Term
|
Definition
Animals utilize the organic material
produced by plants |
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Term
| Decomposers and Soil Chemistry |
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Definition
| Decomposers are generally bacteria and fungi |
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Term
| Abiotic Ecosystem Components |
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Definition
Each ecosystem requires the flow of energy
and the cycling of nutrients and water |
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Term
|
Definition
Proposed by Alexander von Humboldt
(1769-1859) |
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Term
|
Definition
To study nature we must consider:
– Biology
– Chemistry
– Geology
– Physics |
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Term
|
Definition
Let’s Follow a Carbon Atom Around
the Globe |
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Term
Carbon Escapes
On Seafloor As |
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Definition
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Term
Carbon Stored In Oceanic Crust Recycled
Back Into |
|
Definition
| The Mantle Via Subduction |
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Term
| Gaseous Carbon Vented As CO2 Into The |
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Definition
| Atmosphere Via Volcanic Eruptions |
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Term
|
Definition
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Term
Dissolved
Carbon Carried
To Oceans Via |
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Definition
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Term
|
Definition
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Term
| Carbon Dissolved In Oceans, Transported |
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Definition
By
Currents and Accumulated in Sediment |
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Term
|
Definition
Coastlines As Nutrients
For Marine Biota |
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Term
| Where Is Carbon In Earth Systems? |
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Definition
| > 99% is in limestone and shale |
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Term
|
Definition
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Term
|
Definition
The atmosphere is the principle reserve of
available oxygen |
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Term
Larger reservoirs of oxygen exist in Earth’s
crust, but are chemically bound with other
elements in minerals |
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Definition
Silicates (SiO2)
– Carbonates (CO3)
– Sulfates (SO4)
– Oxides
– Unoxidized reserves of fossil fuels and sediment |
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Term
Human Interference With the Oxygen
And Carbon Cycles |
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Definition
Certain human activities can prematurely
return CO2 to atmosphere:
– Deforestation
– Burning of fossil fuels |
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Term
Depletion of the ozone layer through the
use of CFCs |
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Definition
Increased UV energy threatens
photosynthetic microorganisms in oceans |
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Term
|
Definition
Destruction of coral reefs compromises
passage of CO2 from hydrosphere to
carbonate sedimen |
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Term
|
Definition
Nitrogen is not an important component of the
hydrosphere |
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Term
Human Interference With the
Nitrogen Cycle |
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Definition
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with
alfalfa and beans can enrich soils in
nitrogen (this is good):
– Organic farmers often plant these to enrich
the soil in nitrogen |
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Term
|
Definition
– Contamination of groundwater by nitrates
– Eutrophication (excess nitrogen promotes
algal blooms that deplete water of oxygen)
– Excess N2O released into atmosphere: |
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Term
|
Definition
Phosphorous generally introduced to earth
surface reservoirs by igneous activity:
– Phosphorus dominantly stored in minerals
– Weathering releases phosphorous into soils and
oceans |
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Term
Human Interference With the
Phosphorous Cycle |
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Definition
Humans absorb phosphorous in food and
excrete it in waste |
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Term
|
Definition
Producers: Organisms (i.e. plants) capable of
using carbon dioxide as their sole source of
carbon |
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Term
Detritivores renew the entire system by breaking
down organic materials and releasing simple
inorganic compounds and nutrients |
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Definition
Detritus feeders include worms, mites, termites,
centipedes, snails, crabs and vultures that consume
detritus and excrete nutrients
– Decomposers are primarily bacteria and fungi that
digest organic debris outside their bodies; absorb and
release nutrients |
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Term
|
Definition
complex network of
interconnected food chains |
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Term
|
Definition
Stimulated by radiant energy from the sun and
availability of moisture |
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Term
|
Definition
Chemical pesticides applied to ecosystems:
– Many chemicals degrade or are diluted in air
and water
– Other chemicals are long-lived, stable, and
soluble in fatty tissues of consumers |
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Term
Examples of poisonous chemicals concentrated
in food chains |
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Definition
| Organic and synthetic chemicals: |
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