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Ecosystems and the Physical
Environment
Chapter 5
Solar Radiation
Solar Radiation
Temperature Changes with Latitude
Like equator Like at poles
Solar Radiation
Temperature Changes with Season
The Atmosphere
Composition
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Carbon dioxideArgonWater vaporPollutantsHeliumEtc.
1%
The Atmosphere
Layers of the
Atmosphere
The Atmosphere
Atmospheric Circulation
Circulation spawned by heating / cooling
Prevailing winds
Generated by pressure differences and Coriolis effect
The Atmosphere
The Coriolis Effect
The Global Ocean
Patterns of Circulation in the Ocean
The Global Ocean
Patterns of Circulation in the Ocean
Influenced by:
1) Coriolis Effect
2) Land Masses
The Global Ocean
Vertical Mixing of Ocean Water
The Global Ocean
• Ocean Interactions with the Atmosphere: Effects of El Nino
• El Nino: periodic warming of tropical eastern Pacific• La Nina: periodic cooling of tropical eastern Pacific
The Global Ocean
Ocean Interactions with the Atmosphere:
Upwelling
This decreases during El Niño
Increases during La Niña
Weather and Climate
Examine the definitions for climate and weather. What is wrong with the following statement?
“Global warming cannot be occurring, we had a very cool summer.”
Weather and Climate
Rain shadows
Insert Fig 5.19 b
Weather and Climate
Severe weather events:
1) Tornados
Source: University of Wyoming, Department of Atmospheric Science
Frequency of tornados annually per 100,000 km2
Tornado Alley (US) 40
Sydney, Australia 8
United Kingdom 1
Bangledesh 0.6
Weather and Climate
Severe weather events:
2) Tropical cyclones
Atlantic Ocean = hurricanes
Pacific Ocean = typhoons
Indian Ocean = cyclones
Weather and Climate
But, all are the same severe weather event:
Internal Planetary ProcessesPlate tectonics Continental Drift
Internal Planetary Processes
Plate boundaries
Internal Planetary Processes
Plate boundaries
Internal Planetary Processes
Volcanoes
Most volcanoes occur along subduction zones
Internal Planetary Processes
Volcanoes
Some occur along spreading zones
Few, such as Hawaiian Islands, not associated with plates. (hot spots)
Internal Planetary Processes
Earthquakes
• caused by release of built up stress, typically along faults
• movement releases seismic waves
Typical side effects include:
1) Landslides
2) Tsunamis
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Basics of biogeochemical cycling
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Hydrologic (water) cycle:
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Carbon cycle:
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Nitrogen cycle:Atmospheric nitrogen (N2)
Nitrogen fixation by humans
Biological nitrogen fixation
Nitrification
NH3 & NH4
-
NO3-
Assimilation
Denitrification
Plant & animal proteins
Decomposition
(ammonification)
Internal cycling
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Phosphorus cycle:
Phosphate rocksPhosphate mining Fertilizer
containing phosphates
Animals, crops
Soil phosphates
Internal cycling
Erosion
Erosion
Dissolved phosphates
Marine organisms
Excretion / decomposition
Internal cycling
Marine sediments
Cycling of Materials within Ecosystems
Sulfur cycle:
