LITHOSPHERE

BIOSPHERE

Source: After

Christopherson,

2012, p. 13

ECOSYSTEM ESSENTIALS

1. Introduction: the ecosystem concept

2. Green plants: the basis for life

3. Abiotic ecosystem components

4. Biotic ecosystem components

5. Ecosystem stability and succession

WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM??

An ecosystem is:

(1) A self-sustaining association

(2) of living plants and animals,

(3) interacting with each other

(4) and their non-living environment.

(See Christopherson 2012 p. 556.)

The ecosystem

concept: biotic

and abiotic

components. Source: Christopherson,

2012, p. 558.

Producers

Consumers

Decomposers

Nutrients

PRIMARY PRODUCERS

(autotrophs)

HERBIVORES

CARNIVORES

Trophic

levels

Basic energy flows in biotic ecosystem

components.

DE

CO

MP

OS

ER

S

A simplified terrestrial food chain.

Source: Christopherson, 2009, p. 623.

A food chain in action.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 571.

PHYTOPLANKTON

Blue green algae

(Dunaliella viridis)

BRINE SHRIMP

(Artemia franciscana)

BRINE FLIES

BIRDS

Simplified energy flows in Great Salt

Lake ecosystem. (After USGS.)

SUN

Bird migration routes

(Pacific flyway)

Great Salt Lake drainage basin. (Source: Salt Lake Tribune.)

‘Black smoker’ at a hydrothermal vent, Juan de

Fuca Ridge, Pacific Ocean. Source: Oregon State University.

Tubeworm colony, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Pacific Ocean.

Source: Oregon State University.

Deep-sea crabs, Juan de Fuca Ridge, Pacific Ocean.

Source: Oregon State University.

Microscope view of stomata in a cactus leaf.

Source: Microscopy UK.

Stomata open Stomata closed

Function of stomata in plant leaves.

Transpiration of water

through stomata generates

water pressure gradient

across the tree.

This draws more water up

from the soil, through the

plant roots and into the trunk

and branches, bringing

dissolved nutrients with it.

WHY ARE GREEN PLANTS GREEN??

Because they contain chlorophyll.

Photosynthesis occurs in the presence of chlorophyll:

6 CO2 + 6 H2O + sunlight C6H12O6 + 6 O2 glucose

Used to make starches

Respiration allows plants to burn sugars for energy:

C6H12O6 + 6 O2 glucose

RESPIRATION

Animals respire, but plants both

photosynthesize and respire.

NET photosynthesis =

total sugars produced by photosynthesis

total sugars burned by respiration

6 CO2 + 6 H2O + energy

Tree rings indicate net photosynthesis

Energy receipt, use, and disposition in the biosphere.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 561.

Net primary productivity: grams of carbon/m2/yr

Estimated net primary productivity.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 562.

Net primary productivity: grams of carbon/m2/yr

Net primary productivity calculated by CASA-

VGPM model. Source: DeLucia Lab, University of Illinois.

NPP

gC/m2/yr

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Tropi

cal r

ain

fore

st

Tropi

cal s

easo

nal f

ores

t

Tempe

rate

eve

rgre

en fo

rest

Tempe

rate

dec

iduo

us fo

rest

Bor

eal f

ores

t

Woo

dlan

d an

d sh

rubl

and

Savan

na

Tempe

rate

gra

ssla

nd

Tundr

a an

d al

pine

regi

on

Des

ert a

nd se

mid

eser

t scr

ub

Extre

me

dese

rt, ro

ck, s

and,

ice

Cul

tivat

ed la

nd

Swam

p an

d m

arsh

Lake

and

stre

am

Ope

n oc

ean

Upw

ellin

g zo

nes

Con

tinen

tal s

helf

Alg

al b

eds a

nd re

efs

Estua

ries

Net primary productivity for various ecosystems.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 563.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A

PLANT TO GROW??

1. Light

2. Heat

3. Water

4. Nutrients

Cold

Hot

Wet

Dry

Relationship

between climate

and ecosystems.

Source: Christopherson, 2012,

p. 564.

Altitudinal

and

latitudinal

zonation.

Source: Christopherson,

2012, p. 565.

Köppen climate classification system.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 258.

Nitrogen delivery to the Gulf of Mexico.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 568.

Nitrogen delivery to the Gulf of Mexico.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 568.

Summer ‘dead zone’

in the Gulf of

Mexico. Source:

Christopherson, 2012, p. 568.

Limiting factors in tree species. Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 569.

Limiting factors in

bird species.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 569.

PRIMARY PRODUCERS

(autotrophs)

HERBIVORES

CARNIVORES

FOOD CHAIN concept and the 10% rule.

10% energy

10% energy

Ferocious predator

(Gatsby)

Why big, fierce animals are rare: the 10% rule in action. Source: Christopherson, 2009, p. 626.

Why we should all be vegetarians.

Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 573.

Grazing animals. Source: National Wildlife Federation.

Bioaccumulation

(biological

amplification).

Source: Christopherson, 2009, p. 628.

Antarctic marine food web. Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 572.

Secondary succession from bare soil to

hardwood forest. Source: California Integrated Waste Management Board.

1-2 years 3-20

years 25-100

years

150+ years

Climatic climax

community

Primary succession, Hawaii. Source: Christopherson, 2009, p. 635.

Secondary succession, Mt. St. Helen’s. Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 580.

Secondary succession, Mt. St. Helen’s. Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 580.

Secondary succession, Mt. St. Helen’s. Source: Christopherson, 2012, p. 580.