Matter and Energy

In Ecosystems

3 Ecosystem Necessities

Recycling of Matter (nutrient cycles).

Flow of Energy (food chain).Gravity (keeps everything

here).

MatterAnything that has mass and

takes up space. Examples: solids (nutrients),

liquids, gases.

EnergyThe ability to do work.Potential energy- stored

energy.

Ex. food, gasoline.

Kinetic energy- movement.

Ex. exercise, a car rolling.

High quality energyOrganized, concentrated.Ex. Petroleum, electricity,

nuclear fission, food.

Low quality energyDisorganized, not

concentrated.Ex. Low temperature heat,

dispersed geothermal energy.

Laws of Thermodynamics

1st law- conservation of energy. Energy input always equals energy output.

2nd law- energy degrades as it is changed from one form to another.

Energy Chain

fuelheatsteamkinetic energyelectricity

falling waterkinetic energyelectricitylightheat

windkinetic energyelectricitylightheat

sunlightplant tissuekinetic energyheat

Energy In Ecosystems

Energy in EcosystemsFood Chains- show the movement of energy from one feeding level (trophic level) to the next.

Food Web- interlocked food chains.

Trophic levelsProducers- harness energy from the sun to produce their own food. Ex. plants, phytoplankton.

Primary consumers- eat producers harnessing their energy (biomass). Herbivores.

Secondary consumers- eat primary consumers. Primary carnivores.

Tertiary consumers- eat secondary consumers. Secondary carnivores.

Decomposers- break down dead matter and waste from the other levels. Bacteria and fungi.

Ecological PyramidsPyramid of numbers- counting

the number of organisms at each trophic level to yield information about the ecosystem.

Pyramid of biomass- measures the dried weight of all organisms at each trophic level.

Pyramid of energy flow- measures the amount of usable energy at each trophic level.

10% Rule

Only 10% of the biomass at one level is available to the next level. 90% is used for energy, to build more biomass, or is lost as waste.

Ecosystem Productivity

Gross Primary ProductivityRate at which producers capture and store energy as biomass.

Net primary productivityGross productivity minus

the rate at which biomass energy is used during aerobic respiration.

Income available to other trophic levels.

High production ecosystemsMarshesSwampsEstuariesTrop. Rain Forest

Low productivity ecosystemOpen oceanTundraDeserts

Matter in Ecosystems

Biogeochemical CyclesShow the movement of nutrients through the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

Gaseous CycleNutrient time predominates in the atmosphere

Ex. Hydrological, carbon, nitrogen, etc.

Sedimentary cycle

Nutrient time predominates in rock.

Ex. Phosphorus, sulfur.

Law of the Conservation of MatterMatter cannot be destroyed, only rearranged.

High Quality Matter

Concentrated and refined.

Ex. Aluminum can, gasoline.

Low Quality Matter

Disorganized, unconcentrated.

Ex. Aluminum ore, crude oil.

Organic compoundsContain carbon and hydrogen and form living tissue.

CHONPS- most common atoms in life (macronutrients).

Inorganic Compounds

Do not contain C and H bonded. Make up non-living matter.

Carbon Cycle

Process driven (photosynthesis and cellular respiration).

Gaseous cycle.

Importance of CarbonIs a key component of organic molecules.

Is an ingredient of photosynthesis.

Is part of the greenhouse layer.

Human caused problems

Burning fossil fuels releases stored carbon gases increasing the greenhouse effect.

Nitrogen CycleProcess driven (decomposition, nitrification, denitrif., ammonification).

Gaseous cycle.

Importance of nitrogenImportant molecular component (DNA and RNA).

Important for plant growth.

Human caused problems

Burning fossil fuels releases nitrogen gases which can become acid rain… also a green house gas.

Nitrogen fertilizer runoff can cause fish kills.

Phosphorus cycle

Process driven (weathering, decomposition).

Sedimentary Cycle.

Importance of Phosphorus

Important cellular component (DNA and RNA).

Plant growth and development.

Human caused problems

Phosphate fertilizer runoff cause fish kills.

Sulfur Cycle

Process driven (erosion, decomposition).

Sedimentary cycle.

Importance of Sulfur

Important ingredient in organic molecules.

Human caused problems

Burning coal releases sulfur gases which cause acid rain.

Hydrological cycle

Movement of water through an ecosystem.

Heat (sunlight) driven.

Importance of waterIt is a great solvent.Diffuses nutrients and waste in living tissue.

Ingredient of photosynthesis.

It is a great coolant.It is habitat for living organisms.