Chapter 3

Ecosystem Ecology

parisi

ssahabi

zoekennedy

​

Relevant College Board Daily Videos

1.1 Predator/Prey 1.1 Symbioses 1.1 Resource Partitioning

1.4 C cycle C cycle

1.5 N cycle N cycle

1.6 P cycle

1.7 Water Cycle

1.8 Primary Productivity of biomes video 3 on Primary Productivity

1.9 Trophic Levels Trophic Levels in Cycles

1.10 10% Rule

1.11 Food Chains and Webs 1 2 3

2.5 Natural Disruptions

4.6 Watersheds

Ecosystem Ecology Learning Targets

1- Explain the concept of ecosystem boundaries (edge effects)

2- Describe the processes of photosynthesis and respiration

3- Distinguish among the trophic levels that exist in food chains and food webs

4- Quantify ecosystem productivity (NPP vs. GPP)

5- Explain energy transfer efficiency and trophic pyramids

6- Describe how water cycles within ecosystems

7- Explain how carbon cycles within ecosystems

8- Describe how nitrogen cycles within ecosystems

9- Explain how phosphorus cycles within ecosystems

10- Discuss the movement of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur within ecosystems

11- Distinguish between ecosystem resistance and ecosystem resilience

12- Explain the insights gained from watershed studies

13- Explain the intermediate disturbance hypothesis

​

​

​

​

Deforestation of Haiti

• Haitians rely on c?????? for cooking.
• ???? are cut down before they can be replenished.
• disrupts the ecosystem by eroding the earth and disruptions of the natural cycles of water and soil nutrients.
• Ecosystems influenced by human decisions.

FRQ on Biodiversity/Deforestation Question 4 2013

​

Deforestation of Haiti

• Haitians rely on charcoal for cooking.
• Forests are cut down before they can be replenished.
• Deforestation disrupts the ecosystem by eroding the earth and disruptions of the natural cycles of water and soil nutrients.
• Ecosystems influenced by human decisions.

​

FRQ Biodiversity/Deforestation Question 4 2013

​

Divided Island: Vox (on EdPuzzle)

Effects of Deforestation 2min- cloud formation

(watched in class)

Name this term

Name this level of organization: a particular location on Earth distinguished by its mix of biotic and abiotic factors.

​

Ecosystems

Ecosystem: a particular location on Earth distinguished by its mix of biotic and abiotic factors.

​

Sustainability within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

​

How Wolves Change Rivers

​

Add a different color of circle and a label for each level of organization represented in this image: organism, population, community, ecosystem

Energy Flows Through Ecosystems

All energy comes from the SUN!

​

H?????: eat plants.

​

C?????: eat animals.

​

O???: eat both.

Energy Flows Through Ecosystems

All energy comes from the SUN!

Herbivores: eat plants.

Carnivores: eat animals.

Omnivores: eat both.

What makes an ecosystem different from a community?

Photosynthesis

​

​

Producers/Autotrophs: use the Sun’s energy to produce usable sources of energy.

​

Solar Energy + what are the reactants? ---> what are the products?

Plants & algae!!

Photosynthesis

​

​

Producers/Autotrophs: use the Sun’s energy to produce usable sources of energy.

​

Solar Energy + 6H₂O + 6CO₂----> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Plants & algae!!

​

Model Time! Conservation of Matter

Practice Writing the Equation- AGAIN

Name this process

Consumers/Heterotrophs eat plants and other animals and gain energy from the chemical energy.

6O₂ + C₆H₁₂O₆ ----> 6H₂O + 6CO₂

Cellular Respiration

Consumers/Heterotrophs eat plants and other animals and gain energy from the chemical energy.

6O₂ + C₆H₁₂O₆ ----> 6H₂O + 6CO₂

Add in labels for the names of the molecules in the picture

Name this concept?

• Successive levels of organisms consuming each other.

Primary Consumers: Herbivores that consume producers.

Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Trophic Levels

• Successive levels of organisms consuming each other.

? Consumers: Herbivores that consume producers.

​

Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

​

Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Trophic Levels

• Successive levels of organisms consuming each other.

Primary Consumers: Herbivores that consume producers.

Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat primary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat secondary consumers.

Trace over the arrows in this diagram

What does the arrow represent?

D?: break down dead tissues and waste products.

​

S?: carnivores that consume dead animals.

​

D??: fungi and bacteria that complete the breakdown process by recycling nutrients.

Very important to an ecosystem. They recycle organic matter and energy. They also and get rid of dead animals and waste products.

Detritivores: break down dead tissues and waste products.

Scavengers: carnivores that consume dead animals.

Decomposers: fungi and bacteria that complete the breakdown process by recycling nutrients.

Very important to an ecosystem. They recycle organic matter and energy. They also and get rid of dead animals and waste products.

Guess the REST of the legend

​

​

Why does the hyena have 3 dots?

Name these concepts

(1)?: shows 1 interaction of the flow of energy and matter move through trophic levels.

​

(2)?: shows all possible interactions within an ecosystem. Illustrates the interconnectedness between all organisms.

Food Chains vs. Food Webs

Food Chain: shows 1 interaction of the flow of energy and matter move through trophic levels.

​

Food Web: shows all possible interactions within an ecosystem. Illustrates the interconnectedness between all organisms.

Circle which labels you are having struggling with the most

​

FRQ Example: 2018 Q#3

Ecosystem Productivity

The amount of energy available in an ecosystem determines how much life the ecosystem can support.

​

(G?P?P?): the total amount of solar energy that the producers in an ecosystem capture (rate).

???(NPP): Energy captured minus the energy respired by producers.

Ecosystem Productivity

The amount of energy available in an ecosystem determines how much life the ecosystem can support.

​

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP): the total amount of solar energy that the producers in an ecosystem capture (rate).

Net Primary Productivity (NPP): Energy captured minus the energy respired by producers.

This allows us to compare the productivity of different ecosystems.

Also a useful way to measure change in an ecosystem.

Virtual Lab Link

NPP = GPP – Respiration by Producers

Links for video tutorials on calculating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCwiqlmGek8

1?

2?

3?

Circle what percentage of solar energy is reflected or passes through producers WITHOUT being absorbed

Name the MOST and LEAST productive ecosystems in terrestrial vs. Marine ecosystems?

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

What is an “upwelling” zone?

Energy Transfer Efficiency and Trophic Pyramids

​

????: the total mass of all living matter in a specific area.

Standing Crop: amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time.

​

*NOT the rate of energy production!!

​

​

Energy Transfer Efficiency and Trophic Pyramids

​

Biomass: the total mass of all living matter in a specific area.

​

Standing Crop: amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a particular time.

​

*NOT the rate of energy production!!

​

​

Energy used by an organism is given off as h????. Any left over that is converted into consumer biomass by growth and reproduction is available to the next trophic level

This is called e? e? .

Only about 10% of biomass energy is converted into energy at the next higher trophic level.

Most energy and biomass is found at the producer level.

Energy used by an organism is given off as heat. Any left over that is converted into consumer biomass by growth and reproduction is available to the next trophic level

This is called ecological efficiency.

​

Only about 10% of biomass energy is converted into energy at the next higher trophic level.

Most energy and biomass is found at the producer level.

Matter Cycles Through the Biosphere

What is this level of organization called ?? Region where life can possibly exist.

Energy flows through the atmosphere and is constantly replenished by the Sun.

Matter has to be recycled. It is within a closed system.

Biogeochemical Cycles: the recycling of elements through abiotic and biotic factors.

​

​

Matter Cycles Through the Biosphere

Biosphere: Region where life can possibly exist.

Energy flows through the atmosphere and is constantly replenished by the Sun.

Matter has to be recycled. It is within a closed system.

Biogeochemical Cycles: the recycling of elements through abiotic and biotic factors.

​

​

Hydrologic Cycle

​

• Movement of water through the biosphere.
• E???: solar energy heats the Earth and evaporates rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans.
• T??: plants release water from their leaves.
• E??: both!
• R?: water moves across the land into bigger bodies.
• Precipitation: rain, snow, hail.
• Human Impacts!! (name 2).

Hydrologic Cycle

​

• Movement of water through the biosphere.
• Evaporation: solar energy heats the Earth and evaporates rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans.
• Transpiration: plants release water from their leaves.
• Evapotranspiration: both!
• Runoff: water moves across the land into bigger bodies.
• Precipitation: rain, snow, hail.
• Human Impacts!! (deforestation, paving roads, diverting water).

Carbon Cycle

1. P???: take CO₂ and incorporate it into tissues. Some returned when they respire and die.
2. Sugars are converted back into CO_2.
3. Some CO₂ combines with Calcium ions and becomes calcium carbonate (buried what type of??? rock).
4. Buried dead organic matter and turned into fossil fuels.
5. Extracting fossil fuels and c?????? (into the atmosphere or soil as ash)!

6. CO₂ can dissolve directly into the ocean!

​

Carbon Cycle

1. Photosynthesis: take CO₂ and incorporate it into tissues. Some returned when they respire and die.
2. Sugars are converted back into CO_2.
3. Some CO₂ combines with Calcium ions and becomes calcium carbonate (buried limestone and sedimentary rock).
4. Buried dead organic matter and turned into fossil fuels.
5. Extracting fossil fuels and combustion (into the atmosphere or soil as ash)!

6. CO₂ can dissolve directly into the ocean!

​

Do you remember?

Drag the red flag next to the largest carbon reservoir in this cycle

CIRCLE the largest “reservoir” of carbon according to this diagram

Circle the largest area of flux or changes to the rate of carbon movement (HINT: look for the purple writing & numbers)

​

Nitrogen Cycle

Macronutrients: organisms need relatively large amounts: Name 3.

• Often a limiting nutrient.

1. ???????: converting N₂ directly into ammonia (NH₃) done by cyanobacteria and bacteria in the roots of legumes.

• NH₃ is readily formed to NH₄ (??) in the soil.
• This can also happen abiotically turning N₂ into nitrate (NO₃-)

​

​

Nitrogen Cycle

Macronutrients: organisms need relatively large amounts: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur.

• Often a limiting nutrient.

1. Nitrogen Fixation: converting N₂ directly into ammonia (NH₃) done by cyanobacteria and bacteria in the roots of legumes.

• NH₃ is readily formed to NH₄ (ammonium) in the soil.
• This can also happen abiotically turning N₂ into nitrate (NO₃-)

​

​

2. A??

• Producers take up ammonium or nitrate.
• Consumers assimilate nitrogen by eating producers.

3. A????

• Decomposers in soil break down N compounds into ammonium (NH₄+).

4. N???

• Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium to nitrite(NO₂-) and then into nitrate(NO₃-).

2. Assimilation

• Producers take up ammonium or nitrate.
• Consumers assimilate nitrogen by eating producers.

3. Ammonification

• Decomposers in soil break down N compounds into ammonium (NH₄+).

4. Nitrification

• Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium to nitrite(NO₂-) and then into nitrate(NO₃-).

5. D???

• Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate (NO₃) into nitrous oxide and eventually nitrogen gas.

​

L????: Negatively charged particles repel soil so nitrate is transported through the soil with the water. These settle at the bottom of lakes, oceans, and swamps.

5. Denitrification

• Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate (NO₃) into nitrous oxide and eventually nitrogen gas.

Leaching: Negatively charged particles repel soil so nitrate is transported through the soil with the water. These settle at the bottom of lakes, oceans, and swamps.

What is the difference between infiltration and leaching?

Video Clip 1

DRAG the flag to the biggest reservoir for Nitrogen→ if you aren’t sure- google it! Or chatgpt it….

Do you know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers in exponential form?

• Nitrogen is a limiting factor. Excess nitrogen can alter the environment.

• Nitrogen is a limiting factor. Excess nitrogen can alter the environment.

Phosphorus Cycle

• Weathering of ????.
• Phosphorous f???? is added to farms and can run off into rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Excretion of animals.
• Dissolved phosphates precipitate out of solution and contribute to the ocean sediments.
• Phosphate rocks uplift from the ocean floor.

​

Phosphorus Cycle

• Weathering of rocks.
• Phosphorous fertilizer is added to farms and can run off into rivers, lakes, and streams.
• Excretion of animals.
• Dissolved phosphates precipitate out of solution and contribute to the ocean sediments.
• Phosphate rocks uplift from the ocean floor.

​

• Phosphorous dissolved is not available in streams and rivers.
• When added to these systems there is huge growth of producers.

​

Algal Bloom: rapid growth of algae. When algae die their decomposition consumes large amounts of ????.

• Results in h???? conditions.

• Phosphorous dissolved is not available in streams and rivers.
• When added to these systems there is huge growth of producers.

​

Algal Bloom: rapid growth of algae. When algae die their decomposition consumes large amounts of oxygen.

• Results in hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions.

Algal Bloom Formation

Video Explanation

Around the globe

​

In the news- solutions?

​

Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sulfur

• Ca, Mg, S and K are derived from r?

​

​

Sulfur

• Exists in r??.
• Plants absorb as sulfate ions (SO₄^2-).
• Burning fossil fuels release what??? .
• When mixed with water it is converted to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, and Sulfur

• Ca, Mg, S and K are derived from rocks.

​

​

Sulfur

• Exists in rocks.
• Plants absorb as sulfate ions (SO₄^2-).
• Burning fossil fuels release sulfur dioxide.
• When mixed with water it is converted to sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

W????? Studies: all of the land of a given landscape that drains into a particular river, lake or stream.

​

Ecosystems Respond to Disturbance

Disturbance: event caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents that cause a change in the population or community.

​

Watershed Studies: all of the land of a given landscape that drains into a particular river, lake or stream.

​

Ecosystems Respond to Disturbance

Disturbance: event caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents that cause a change in the population or community.

​

​

​

​

Shade in the watershed for this river

What is an “ecosystem engineer”?

​

​

Name 2 other animals that are considered an ecosystem engineer.

What is the difference between a keystone species and an ecosystem engineer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVAalc0HKM

What is an experimental control?

​

​

What are controlled variables?

Name these key concepts

(1)? : measure of how much an disturbance can effect flows of energy and matter.

​

(2)? : rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance.

​

Restoration Ecology!

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

Resistance Vs. Resilience

Resistance: measure of how much an disturbance can effect flows of energy and matter.

Resilience: rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance.

Restoration Ecology!

Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis

Sketch a simple image on the next slide to represent resistance v.s resilience

Mark on this graph where the number of species is at it’s highest with a red flag

​

Mark on this graph where this high point intersects with the x-axis with a blue flag

Ecosystems Provide Valuable Services

​

Instrumental Value: has worth as an instrument or tool.

• Provisions
• Regulating Services: nutrients and biogeochemical c????
• Support Systems: p????
• Cultural Services

Intrinsic Values: religious & philosophical convictions.

​

Ecosystems Provide Valuable Services

​

Instrumental Value: has worth as an instrument or tool.

• Provisions
• Regulating Services: nutrients and biogeochemical cycles
• Support Systems: pollination
• Cultural Services

​

Intrinsic Values: religious & philosophical convictions.

​

Golf Courses Environmental Impacts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htfpSjxk6FE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5bzvAK1G7o

​

Learning Check for Chapter 3- Ecosystem Ecology

​

1-The average efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is approximately

1. 1% b) 4% c) 10% d) 40% e) 50%

​

​

​

​

Learning Check for Chapter 3- Ecosystem Ecology

​

​

​

2-The gross primary productivity of an ecosystem is

1. the total amount of biomass
2. the total energy captured by photosynthesis
3. the energy captured after accounting for respiration
4. the energy available to primary consumers
5. the biomass of the producers

​

​

Learning Check for Chapter 3- Ecosystem Ecology

​

1-The average efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels is approximately

• 1% b) 4% c) 10% d) 40% e) 50%

​

2-The gross primary productivity of an ecosystem is

• the total amount of biomass
• the total energy captured by photosynthesis
• the energy captured after accounting for respiration
• the energy available to primary consumers
• the biomass of the producers

​

​

Learning Check on Chapter 3 Ecosystem Ecology

​

1-An ecosystem that rapidly returns to its original state after a disturbance is

1. resistant b) vigorous c) resilient d) stable e) adaptable

​

Learning Check on Chapter 3 Ecosystem Ecology

​

​

2-The Hubbard Brook experiment showed that

1. the intermediate disturbance hypothesis is plausible
2. freshwater aquatic ecosystems are often very resilient
3. river restoration can take many years to complete
4. evapotranspiration increases with more vegetation cover
5. deforestation increases nutrient runoff

​

Learning Check on Chapter 3 Ecosystem Ecology

​

1-An ecosystem that rapidly returns to its original state after a disturbance is

• resistant b) vigorous c) resilient d) stable e) adaptable

​

2-The Hubbard Brook experiment showed that

• the intermediate disturbance hypothesis is plausible
• freshwater aquatic ecosystems are often very resilient
• river restoration can take many years to complete
• evapotranspiration increases with more vegetation cover
• deforestation increases nutrient runoff

​

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

A letter may be used once, more than once, or not at all

1. Carbon neutrality

(B) Carbon sequestration

(C)cellular respiration

(D) carbon flux from atmosphere to lithosphere

(E)fossil fuel combustion

1-The process whereby the biota of ecosystems release energy necessary for functioning

2-the main ecosystem service that permanently protected forests provide

3-The main cause of a lowering of pH in marine environments

​

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

A letter may be used once, more than once, or not at all

1. Carbon neutrality

(B) Carbon sequestration

(C)cellular respiration

(D) carbon flux from atmosphere to lithosphere

(E)fossil fuel combustion

1-The process whereby the biota of ecosystems release energy necessary for functioning C

2-the main ecosystem service that permanently protected forests provide B

3-The main cause of a lowering of pH in marine environments E

​

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

​

The most productive (gC/m2/yr) ecosystems in the world are

1. Temperate deciduous forests
2. Swamps and marshes
3. The open ocean
4. Temperate grasslands
5. Northern coniferous forests

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

​

The most productive (gC/m2/yr) ecosystems in the world are

1. Temperate deciduous forests
2. Swamps and marshes
3. The open ocean
4. Temperate grasslands
5. Northern coniferous forests

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

​

If a coral reef has an NPP of 5.25 kg C/m2/yr and a GPP of 7.5 kg C/m2/yr, how much carbon is being used during respiration by the autotrophs in this ecosystem?

1. 12. 75 kgC/m2/year
2. 2.25 kgC/m2/year
3. -2.25 kgC/m2/year
4. 14.95 kgC/m2/year
5. Cannot be determined with the information given

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

​

If a coral reef has an NPP of 5.25 kg C/m2/yr and a GPP of 7.5 kg C/m2/yr, how much carbon is being used during respiration by the autotrophs in this ecosystem?

1. 12. 75 kgC/m2/year
2. 2.25 kgC/m2/year
3. -2.25 kgC/m2/year
4. 14.95 kgC/m2/year
5. Cannot be determined with the information given

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

Which of the following is true of nitrogen as it cycles in nature?

1. The largest sink of nitrogen is in the atmosphere
2. Nitrogen compounds rarely exist in the gaseous state
3. Nitrogen fixation occurs regularly in ecosystems, producing a nitrogen compound that can be used by primary consumers
4. Denitrifying bacteria live in mutualistic relationships with most consumers
5. Nitrogen compounds are considered the least problematic to the environment and the most essential to all animal life on Earth

Ch. 3 Ecosystem Ecology Learning Check

Which of the following is true of nitrogen as it cycles in nature?

1. The largest sink of nitrogen is in the atmosphere
2. Nitrogen compounds rarely exist in the gaseous state
3. Nitrogen fixation occurs regularly in ecosystems, producing a nitrogen compound that can be used by primary consumers
4. Denitrifying bacteria live in mutualistic relationships with most consumers
5. Nitrogen compounds are considered the least problematic to the environment and the most essential to all animal life on Earth

Unit 1 CB APES Topics- Environmental Science

Ecosystems

Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes

C, P, Water and N cycles

Primary Productivity

Trophic Levels, Energy Flow and 10% Rule, Food Chains, and Food Webs

FRQs:

Q2&Q3 in 2010, Q4 in 2014, Q1 in 2015, Q3 in 2018

Study Tips

FixNAAD ANPAN: stands for nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification

ammonium, nitrates, proteins, ammonium and nitrogen (Process vs. PRoduct table)