1
Structure of course
Environmental variabilityOrganisms
EcosystemsPopulations
Species interactionsCommunities
Applied Ecological Issues
2
Outline for ecosystems
Introduction
How does energy move through an ecosystem?
How does matter move through an ecosystem?
3
How does matter move through an ecosystem?
Matter = elements
e.g., what are ways that a carbon atom movesfrom one compartment of an ecosystem to another?
How fast do carbon atoms move from one compartment to another?
4
How does a carbon atom move through an ecosystem?
A few examples:
-erosion
-rock formation
-transport by organisms-photosynthesis-respiration-consumption by heterotrophs
5
Organisms move elements through chemical transformations
organic C inorganic C
6
Figure 7.1
inorganicinorganic
organic organic
7
Memory tools
Oxidation – Olé- oxidation loses energy- oxidized loses electrons
Reduction – requires energy- reduced receives electrons
8
Figure 7.2
9
10
How does matter move through an ecosystem?
Cycles between inorganic and organic forms andbetween different compartments of ecosystems
Difference between matter and energy movement?
11
Figure 7.3
12
Cycles of matter
watercarbonnitrogenphosphorussulfur
Focus on important pools and transfers
13
Water cycle
Figure 7.4
14Figure 7.5 Carbon cycle
C cycle
15
Figure 7.6
Biological transformations of carbon
16
Fig. 7.11
N cycle
17
Figure 7.11binorganic formsused by plants
e.g., proteins
Biological transformations of nitrogen
18
Figure 7.12
19
Figure 7.13
P cycle
20
Figure 7.14a S cycle
21
Figure 7.14b
Biological transformations of sulfur
22
What do I expect you to know about element cycles?
- which forms are available to bacteria, plants,and animals
-which pools and transfers are largest
-which transfers are changes in form of theelement
- which transfers are biological transfers vs. chemical or physical transfers
23
All organisms participate in element cycling. Each group will be assigned one of the following element cycles (C, N, P, S). Describe 5 ways that your everyday activities contribute to the element cycles (hint: think about the indirect effects of your activities). In your answer, include 1 process that transforms an element from inorganic to organic form, 1 process that transforms an element from organic form to inorganic form, and 1 non-biological transformation.
Work in groups of three
Some groups will be called upon to share their answers