Unit 2: Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics Flashcards
Lithosphere
rock layer
Hydrosphere
water layer
Atmosphere
air layer
Biosphere
Organisims
What does the enviroment consist of
*lithosphere
*Hydrosphere
*atmosphere
*Biosphere
Two forms of energy
Potential energy is energy that is stored and kinetic energy is the energy of motion, work, heat and light.
first law of thermodynamics
Energy cannot be created or destroyed
second law of thermodynamics
When energy is transfered there is a net loss
Plants are_____
*producers aka autotrophs (self feeders) and they use photosynthesis to transform solar energy into chemical energy
Chemautotrophs
are found in the deep sea and are also autotrophs. They transform energy from hydrogen sulfide instead of the sun
biological (net primary) production
Net Production = Biomass2 – Biomass1
Where:
Biomass2 is the weight measured at time interval 2
Biomass1 is the weight measured at time interval 1
What does “the earth is closed to matter” mean?
Unlike the constant supply of energy that Earth receives, the planet is described as closed to matter. This means that there is only a limited quantity of chemicals on our planet and must continuously cycle between various parts or reservoirs of the environment
Carbon Cycle
- Carbon present in the atmosphere is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis.
2.These plants are then consumed by animals and carbon gets bioaccumulated into their bodies.
3.These animals and plants eventually die, and upon decomposing, carbon is released back into the atmosphere.
4.Some of the carbon that is not released back into the atmosphere eventually become fossil fuels.
- These fossil fuels are then used for man-made activities, which pump more carbon back into the atmosphere
Nitrogen cycle
- Nitrogen Fixing : Bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen into nitrates which are abosrbed by plants
- Amoniumization: Animals eat the plants and convert the nitrates into amonia.
- the animal dies or produces waste the amonium is returned to the soil
- Nitrification: Bacteria break down the Amonium and convert it back into nitrates
- Denitrification: Bacteria break down some of the nitrates in the soil releasing nitrogen back into the atmosphere
Phospherous cycle
- Over time, rain and weathering cause rocks to release phosphate ions and other minerals. This inorganic phosphate is then distributed in soils and water.
- Plants take up inorganic phosphate from the soil. The plants may then be consumed by animals. Once in the plant or animal, the phosphate is incorporated into organic molecules such as DNA. When the plant or animal dies, it decays, and the organic phosphate is returned to the soil.
3.Within the soil, organic forms of phosphate can be made available to plants by bacteria that break down organic matter to inorganic forms of phosphorus. This process is known as mineralisation.
4.Phosphorus in soil can end up in waterways and eventually oceans. Once there, it can be incorporated into sediments over time.
