monthdaytopic nov.27ecosystem services 29global change biology dec.1mm’s research 4review for exam...
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Month Day Topic
Nov. 27 Ecosystem services
29 Global change biology
Dec. 1 MM’s research
4 Review for exam
6 Final exam—ecology
Energy flow through ecosystems
Only 5% of the solar energy that arrives on earth is captured by photosynthesis.
The energy captured powers life.
Trophic levels
Level Source of energy
Primary producers Solar energy
Herbivores Primary producers
Primary carnivores Herbivores
Secondary carnivores Primary carnivores
Omnivores Everything!
Decomposers Dead things
Energy flow
versus
Biogeochemical cycles
Consumers
Producers
Abiotic reservoir
Geological processes
Decomposers
A generalized biogeochemical cycle
Carbon cycle
Carbon is the conduit for energy flow!
Carbon cycle
Carbon is the conduit for energy flow!
Carbon cycles through the atmosphere, organisms, soils, and oceans
(and rocks at very long time scales)
Carbon cycle
Carbon is the conduit for energy flow!
Carbon cycles through the atmosphere, organisms, soils, and oceans
(and rocks at very long time scales)
Gaseous, mineral, organic
Carbon cycle
Ecosystem carbon balance
C in = storage + C out
NPP
Soil, plant growth (wood)
CO2, C leaching, erosion
C in > storage + C out: accumulating C
C in = storage + C out: balanced C
C in < storage + C out: loosing C
Carbon stocks
Sedimentary rocks > deep oceans >
atmosphere = organisms and soils
Nitrogen cycle
• N cycles through the atmosphere, organisms, soils and sediments
Nitrogen cycle
• N cycles through the atmosphere, organisms, soils and sediments
• Organically bound N is one of the main constituents of organisms (after C and H)– enzymes for photosynthesis, metabolism
– proteins
– building blocks of DNA...
Nitrogen cycle
• N cycles through the atmosphere, organisms, soils and sediments
• Organically bound N is one of the main constituents of organisms– enzymes for photosynthesis, metabolism
– proteins
– building blocks of DNA...
• Gaseous, mineral, organic
Nitrogen cycle
• Although N2 gas makes up 72% of the
atmosphere, few organisms can use it.
• N is the element that is most likely to
limit plant growth
Nitrogen cycle
• N enters system through biological
fixation
Nitrogen accumulates over primary succession
Nitrogen cycle
• N enters system through biological
fixation
• If organisms can fix N, why don’t they
take over and fix enough N so that it is
no longer limiting to plant growth?
Why is N in short supply?
• Only a few types of organisms can do it
Why is N in short supply?
• Only a few types of organisms can do it
• Energetically expensive to fix N
Why is N in short supply?
• Only a few types of organisms can do it
• Energetically expensive to fix N
• Chemically expensive to fix N
Why is N in short supply?
• Only a few types of organisms can do it
• Energetically expensive to fix N
• Chemically expensive to fix N
• N can be lost from the system– Leaching– Fire– Erosion
Hydrological cycle
Water cycles through the oceans, fresh waters, atmosphere, and land
Hydrological cycle
Water cycles through the oceans, fresh
waters, atmosphere, and land
Gaseous phase and liquid phase
Hydrological cycle
Evaporation: liquid to gas
Transpiration: plant transport of water from the soil to the atmosphere
Precipitation: gas to liquid
Water inputs to ecosystems
• Precipitation– THE major water input to ecosystems
• Groundwater (in some ecosystems)
• Fog deposition (in some ecosystems)
Water balance in ecosystems
Inputs = storage + outputs
Water balance in ecosystems
Soil is like a bucket
Water balance in ecosystems
Soil is like a bucket
• Inputs– Mainly precipitation
Water balance in ecosystems
Soil is like a bucket
• Inputs– Mainly precipitation
• Storage– Plants, soil and water bodies
Water balance in ecosystems
Soil is like a bucket• Inputs
– Mainly precipitation
• Storage– Plants, soil and water bodies
• Outputs– Evaporation– Transpiration– Drainage
Hydrological cycle
• Over oceans, evaporation >> precipitation
• On land, evaporation << precipitation and transpiration– Lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater
Ecosystem services
Processes by which the environment produces fundamental life-support
services enjoyed by humans
Ecosystem services
Key ingredients of our agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial
enterprises
Ecosystem services1. Purify air and water water2. Pollination of crops3. Detoxify and decompose wastes4. Stabilize climate5. Ozone protection from UV6. Maintain biodiversity7. Control agricultural pests8. Generate and preserve soil fertility9. Maintain recreational areas
Ecosystem services
We know that they are:
• Essential to civilization
Ecosystem services
We know that they are:
• Essential to civilization
• So complex that they can’t be replaced by technology (???)
Ecosystem services
We know that they are:
• Essential to civilization
• So complex that they can’t be replaced by technology (???)
• Impaired by human activities
Ecosystem services
We know that they are:
• Essential to civilization
• So complex that they can’t be replaced by technology (???)
• Impaired by human activities
• Altered at an unprecedented rate
What are ecosystem services worth?
What are ecosystem services worth?
Examples:
• 1993 floods on the Mississippi due to land use change cost $12 billion.
What are ecosystem services worth?
Examples:
• 1993 floods on the Mississippi due to land use change cost $12 billion.
• Top 118 prescription drugs in the US are from natural sources (US: $40 billion/year).
What are ecosystem services worth?
Examples:• 1993 floods on the Mississippi due to land use
change cost $12 billion.
• Top 118 prescription drugs in the US are from natural sources (US: $40 billion/year).
• 1/3 of human food comes from plants that are naturally pollinated (US: $4-6 billion/year).
Valuing ecosystem services
Valuing ecosystem services
• NYC water quality decreases due to – Suburban sprawl– Bad septic systems– Loss of forested areas
Valuing ecosystem services
• NYC water quality decreases due to – Suburban sprawl– Bad septic systems– Loss of forested areas
• Estimated cost of $6-8 billion for new treatment plant
Valuing ecosystem services
• NYC water quality decreases due to – Suburban sprawl– Bad septic systems– Loss of forested areas
• Estimated cost of $6-8 billion for new treatment plant
• Estimated cost of $6 million for conservation and restoration of ecosystem services
Ecosystem services1. Purify air and water water2. Pollination of crops3. Detoxify and decompose wastes4. Stabilize climate5. Ozone protection from UV6. Maintain biodiversity7. Control agricultural pests8. Generate and preserve soil fertility9. Maintain recreational areas
Which would you pay for?
Ecosystem services1. Purify air and water water2. Pollination of crops3. Detoxify and decompose wastes4. Stabilize climate5. Ozone protection from UV6. Maintain biodiversity7. Control agricultural pests8. Generate and preserve soil fertility9. Maintain recreational areas
How much would you pay?
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