Ecosystems: Components, Energy Flow, and Matter Cycling

1
Ecosystems Components, Energy Flow, and Matter
Cycling
G. Tyler Millers Living in the Environment 13th
Edition Chapter 4
Dr. Richard Clements Chattanooga State Technical
Community College
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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

• Populations

• Communities

• Ecosystems

• Biosphere

Fig. 4-2 p. 66
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The Earths Life-Support Systems

• Troposphere

• Stratosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Lithosphere

• Biosphere

Fig. 4-6 p. 68
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Sustaining Life of Earth

• One-way flowof energy

• Cycling ofmatter

Fig. 4-7 p. 69
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The Source of Energy
Fig. 4-8 p. 69
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Ecosystem Concepts and Components

• Biomes

• Role of climate

• Aquatic life zones

Fig. 4-9 p. 70
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Ecosystem Boundaries Ecotones
Fig. 4-10 p. 71
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Principles of Ecological Factors

• Abiotic factors

• Law of tolerance

• Biotic factors

• Limiting factors

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)

• Aerobicrespiration

• 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

• Species diversity

• Ecological diversity

• Functional diversity

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Connections Food Webs and Energy Flow in
Ecosystems

• Food chains

• Food webs

Fig. 4-18 p. 77 Refer to Fig. 4-19 p. 78
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Ecological Pyramids

• Pyramid ofenergy flow

Fig. 4-20 p. 79

• Ecologicalefficiency

• Pyramid ofbiomass

• Pyramid ofnumbers

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Primary Productivity of Ecosystems

• Gross primary productivity (GPP)

• Net primary productivity (NPP)

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)
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 Cycle
Fig. 4-29 p. 86
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The Phosphorus Cycle
Fig. 4-30 p. 88
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The Sulfur Cycle
Fig. 4-31 p. 89
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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. 4-32 p. 91
Fig. 4-33 p. 91
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Ecosystem Servicesand Sustainability
Fig. 4-34 p. 92