4-Ecology-Ecosystem

ecosystem

Earth has different physical regions {ecosystem}|, closely related to climate. Ecosystems include broadleaf forest, coniferous forest, desert, savanna, prairie, sclerophyll woodland and shrub, swamp, tropical forest, tropical rain forest, steppe, and tundra. Biological systems have climates, inorganic matter, organic matter, producers, and consumers. Cities are warmer, less humid, cloudier, foggier, rainier, snowier, and less sunshiny, and have less ultraviolet light, than countryside.

biogeographic realm

Ecosystems have regions {biogeographic realm}. Palearctic includes Europe, Russia, north China, Japan, and Iceland. Nearctic includes Greenland, Canada, and USA. Palearctic and Nearctic together are Holarctic. Neotropical includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and West Indies. Ethiopian includes Africa south of Sahara Desert. Oriental includes India, Indochina, Malay Peninsula, south China, and East Indies. Australian includes Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and East Indies.

biogeography

Vertebrate species typically have ranges {biogeography} smaller than large USA states. Common birds, such as cowbirds, grackles, and cardinals, have larger ranges. Only species with large ranges are not rare. Most vertebrate species are rare.

State-size regions can have few, medium, or many species, depending on climate and resources. Tropical areas have 100 times more species than arctic areas. Areas with many species have species with large ranges. Areas with few species have species with small ranges.

biosphere

The world {biosphere}| includes many different environments for living things.

cline

Species can have gradual anatomy and physiology changes throughout gradually changing geographic areas {cline}|.

ecological niche

Species have roles {ecological niche}| {niche, ecology} in ecosystems.

habitat

Species inhabit environments {habitat}|.

limnology

rivers and coasts {limnology}|.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Bione

bione

Different communities live in different geographic zones {bione}|.

forest

Forest biones include broad-leaved evergreen subtropical forest, chaparral, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, and tropical rain forest.

ocean

Sea biones include neritic zone, littoral zone, continental shelf below low tide, oceanic zone, euphotic zone, bathyal zone, and abyssal zone.

other

Other biones include desert, grassland, tundra, snow and ice, estuary, marsh, running water, littoral, limnetic zone, standing water, and deep water.

changes

Biones gradually change or cycle. Sahara desert expands and contracts in a 30-year cycle.

ecotone

More species and higher population densities are at bione boundaries {ecotone}.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Bione-Land

prairie as plain

dry bushy plains {prairie}|.

savanna

wide dry grassy plains {savanna}|.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Bione-Water

tide pool

Animals can live between low-tide and high-tide lines {tide pool}|: sea anemone, sculpin fish, hermit crab, chiton, ochre star, barnacle, limpet, mussel, and turban snail. Algae and other plants are in tide pools. Sea urchin, abalone, sunflower star, bat star, and giant sea anemone live below low-tide line.

deep scattering layer

In ocean, animal masses {deep scattering layer} (DSL) rise at night and fall by day, in vertical migration.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Bione-Water-Ocean Zones

oceanic zone

Ocean zones {oceanic zone} include bathyal and abyssal zones.

abyssal zone

Oceanic zones {abyssal zone} can be below 2000 meters.

bathyal zone

Oceanic zones {bathyal zone} can be from surface down to 2000 meters.

euphotic zone

Oceanic zones {euphotic zone} can have light.

limnetic zone

ocean coasts and river mouths {limnetic zone}.

littoral zone

Continental shelf {littoral zone} can be between tides.

neritic zone

Continental shelf {neritic zone} can be above high tide.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Bione-Water-Swamp

swamp as marsh

vegetation-rich still water {swamp}|.

ignis fatuus

Swamps can have phosphorescent light {ignis fatuus}| {will of the wisp} {friar's lantern}, from spontaneous methane combustion.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Ecological Cycle

ecological cycle

Nutrients undergo recurring use and storage {ecological cycle}. Carbon atoms circulate between organism organic molecules and environment carbon dioxide and calcium carbonate {carbon cycle, ecology}. Nitrogen atoms circulate between organism proteins and environment nitrogen gas, nitrates, and nitrites {nitrogen cycle, ecology}. Phosphorus atoms circulate between organism organic phosphates and environment mineral phosphates {phosphorus cycle}. Water molecules circulate between organism cells and intracellular fluids and environment oceans, clouds, and fresh water {water cycle, ecology}.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Ecological Cycle-Pool

exchange pool

Nutrients leave and return {cycling pool} {exchange pool} from and to reservoir pools. Detritus and excrement recycle nutrients.

reservoir pool

Nutrients are in ocean, atmosphere, and crust {reservoir pool}.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Ecological Cycle-Energy

energy cycle in ecology

Energy circulates between organism organic-molecule bonds and environment heat and sunlight {energy cycle, ecology}. Ecosystems have energy flows.

Liebig law of the minimum

If energy and material inflow balances energy and material outflow, the minimal material limits species-organism number or size {Liebig's law of the minimum} {Liebig law of the minimum}.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Environmental Factor

environmental factor

Physical factors {environmental factor} can directly affect organism growth: temperature, light, water, dissolved gases, trace elements, water flow, soil acidity, soil porosity, soil depth, fire hazard, and organic nutrients. Tropical plants have high carbohydrate percentage.

land

Light, temperature, and rainfall are important land environmental factors.

water

Light, temperature, and salinity are important ocean environmental factors. Oxygen content is important environmental factor in fresh water.

temperature

Growth is typically faster with varying temperature. Water has less temperature variation than land or air.

light

Ultraviolet light kills unprotected cells, so organisms must filter light. Sunlight inhibits protein synthesis.

Shelford law of tolerance

Organism absence from environments or failure to live in new environments depends on limiting environmental factors organism can tolerate {Shelford's law of tolerance} {Shelford law of tolerance}.

4-Ecology-Ecosystem-Range

range of species

Species occupy geographic areas {range, species} {range of tolerance} {tolerance range} with temperature, elevation, water supply, and sunlight extremes. Range is lower for embryonic and immature life stages and during adult reproductive periods.

eury range

Range can be wide {eury range}. Eury-organisms have wider distribution than steno-organisms.

steno range

Range can be narrow {steno range}.

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Date Modified: 2022.0225