Transcript Science: How to Do it Right

Ecosystems and Climate
Research in Ecology
Levels of Ecology
 ORGANISMAL ECOLOGY
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behavior
physiology
morphology
etc.
Levels of Ecology
 POPULATION ECOLOGY
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dynamics
genetics
microevolution
etc.
Levels of Ecology
 COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
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structure
coevolution
interactions
Etc.
Levels of Ecology
 ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
 nutrient cycling
 energy flow
 Etc.
Levels of Ecology
 LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY
 Interactions among
ecosystems
 Interaction of organisms
with their temporal and
spatial environment
Levels of Ecology
 GLOBAL ECOLOGY
 Regional changes as they affect the entire biosphere
Abiotic Components
 WATER
Abiotic Components
 WATER
 Helps create soil via erosion
 Provides habitat for aquatic organisms
 Animals and plants must evolve ways to maintain
water balance in fresh and salt water
 All life is water-based.
Abiotic Components
 SUNLIGHT
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Intensity
Daily duration
Angle of incidence
Spectral distribution
…all affect plants and
animals living in an
ecosystem.
Abiotic Components
 WIND
Abiotic Components
 ROCKS AND SOIL
Abiotic Components
 ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANCE
Climate: It starts with the sun
• Tropics
– equator to 23.5o (N, S)
• Subtropics
– 23.5o – 30o (N, S)
• Temperate
– 30o – 60o (N, S)
• Polar
– 60o – the poles (N, S)
Climate: Seasons
Climate: Air Movement
Climate: Global Air
Plants Evolve Adaptations
 XEROPHYTE – adapted to a very dry habitat
Plants Evolve to Fit
 MESOPHYTE – adapted to a moderate habitat
Plants Evolve to Fit
 HYDROPHYTE – adapted to a very wet habitat
Biomes
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Energy Flows
 As plants photosynthesize, they create matter.
 This is called primary productivity.
 GROSS primary productivity (GPP) is the total
amount of energy captured by plants.
 NET primary productivity (NPP) is what’s left over
after the plant has spent energy for work.
 NPP = GPP – Respiration (NPP is like “profit”)
Biogeochemical Cycles