![Page 1: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Ecosystem Ecology I. IntroductionII. Energy FlowIII. Biogeochemical Cycles
![Page 2: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
III. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLESA. Overview
“Turns fast”
“Turns slow”Large reservoir
Small reservoir
FLUX
![Page 3: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
![Page 4: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Atmosphere (13)
OVER OCEAN OVER LAND Rain Evaporation Rain Evaporation(385) (425) (111) (71)
Oceans - 97% Runoff and Groundwater (40)(1,380,000) Lakes and Rivers (100)
Water content in sedimentary
rock near surface
(210,000)
B. The Water Cycle
Biosphere (1)
All values in teratons (x 1018 g)
![Page 5: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
![Page 6: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
- Effects of Life1. Plant biomass pumps water out of the soil into the atmosphere, increasing evaporation rates.
2. Volatiles act as nuclei on which raindrops can form ("Smoky Mountains"), increasing local precipitation. Large forests stimulate the rainfall they depend on.
![Page 7: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
-Effects of Life:
1)Cut forest – reduce evapotranspiration, increase runoff and river discharge2)Eventually, reduce precipitation, and reduce river discharge.
![Page 8: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
- Effects of Humans
![Page 9: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
-Effects of Humans
1. Control 50% of surface runoff of planet - 70% agriculture
- 20% industry - 10% personal use
![Page 10: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
![Page 11: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Most population growth is in tropical/arid areas where more water is needed to grow the same amount of crop, because
PET > Precipitation
![Page 13: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
98% of water ‘footprint’ for animals is for their feed.30% of all water used for animals is for beef cattleAnother 20% for dairy cattle
![Page 14: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
-Effects of Humans
1. Control 50% of surface runoff of planet - 70% agriculture
- 20% industry - 10% personal use
2. Dams
![Page 15: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
2. Dams – Three Gorges, Yangtze River
Ship locks
![Page 16: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
2. Dams – Three Gorges, Yangtzee River
1.5 miles wide, 600 feet high
Largest dam in the world – largest engineering project in the world.
![Page 17: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
1.5 miles wide, 600 feet high
Reservoir 570 feet deep and nearly 400 miles long.
![Page 18: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
100
Energy = 18 nuke plants. At full power, reduces coal consumption by 31 million tonnes per year, avoiding 100 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions
![Page 19: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Regulate a deadly, flood-prone river:
The 1998 flood (before the dam): 3,704 dead, 15 million homeless and $26 billion in economic loss. A staggering 25 million acres (~Kentucky) were evacuated, 13.3 million houses were damaged or destroyed.
![Page 20: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Displaced 1.2 million people
Cover 1300 important archeological sites
![Page 21: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
2. Dams – Problems:
- Flood upstream habitats
- release toxins into water
- cause eutrophication
- reduce oxygen content of water
- sediment buildup decreases “head” and power generation
- sediment trap starves downstream of sediment and nutrients – erosion of river delta and loss of productive estuary - reduce fisheries productivity
“The construction of dams is increasingly regarded as the biggest conservation threat to aquatic and riparian biodiversity in many river basins throughout the world.”
J. Wu, J. Huang, and X. Han. 2003. Science 302:11-49-1150.
![Page 22: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
B. The Water Cycle
-Effects of Humans
1. Control 50% of surface runoff of planet - 70% agriculture
- 20% industry - 10% personal use
2. Dams
3. Overtapped RiversMajor rivers like the Colorado, Nile, Ganges, Yellowdon’t reach the ocean for months at a time – all thewater is drawn off by humans upstream.
![Page 23: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
![Page 24: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Hoover – 726 ft tall
Glen Canyon – 710 ft
![Page 25: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Cohen, et al (2001). A preliminary water balance for the Colorado River Delta, 1992-1998. J. Arid Environments 49:35-48.
Hoover Dam
Glen Canyon Dam
![Page 26: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Yellow River (China):
Days Dry at Mouth:
1995: 122
1996: 133
1997: 226
(7 months!)
3. Overtapped Rivers
![Page 27: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
3. Overtapped Rivers
The Aral Sea, Kazakhstan:
once the 4th largest inland sea in world
Has lost 60% of its water, drawn off for agricultural purposes.
- Salinization increased, killing the productive fisheries industry
- Agriculture – salt increased 6X by 1994 the productivity had dropped by 20-50%.
![Page 28: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
3. Overtapped Rivers
The Aral Sea, Kazakhstan:
- salt and dust in air became a significant health problem
April 2003
![Page 29: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
3. Overtapped Rivers
The Ganges and Indus:
Water is diverted for agriculture.
-Salt water intrudes mangrove estuaries
-Kills mangroves
-Nursery areas for fish
-Storm breaks and flood regulators.
![Page 30: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
3. Overtapped Rivers
Other Problems of "overtapping" rivers...
1. Reduced water availability
2. Salinized soils (20% worldwide)
3. Regional Conflicts
- “water rights” issues cross state and
national boundaries
![Page 31: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
3. Regional Conflicts
- Egypt: gets 97% of its water from outside its borders… water treaties with the Sudan are the oldest on record.
- Ethiopia, with headwaters of the Blue Nile, wants to construct dams for hydroelectric power. Egypt and Sudan have battled them for decades.
“The only matter that could take Egypt to war again is water” –
Anwar Sadat, 1979
![Page 32: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
3. Regional Conflicts
- The Jordan River (Jordan and Israel)
- The Indus (India and Pakistan)
- The Ganges (India and Bangladesh)
- The Colorado: Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California
![Page 33: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
1. Control 50% of surface water
2. Dams
3. Overtapped Rivers
4. Overtapped groundwater
- In Punjab (Indus Valley):
Wealthy can dig deeper wells, lowering water table, making it
inaccessible for shallow wells.
![Page 34: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
1. Control 50% of surface water
2. Dams
3. Overtapped Rivers
4. Overtapped groundwater
- In Punjab (Indus Valley):
pumping from wells exceeds recharge by 27%. Water table
falling 0.7 m/yr
Wealthy can dig deeper wells, lowering water table, making it inaccessible for shallow wells.
![Page 35: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
- The Ogallala Aquifer:
Under 174,000 square miles and 8 agricultural states.
95% of pumped water is for irrigation
PUMPING:
1949: 4 million acre-feet/yr
1980: 18 million acre-ft/yr
2000: 3-4 mill. a-ft/yr
![Page 36: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
- The Ogallala Aquifer:
Under 225,000 square miles and 8 agricultural states.
95% of pumped water is for irrigation
WATER LEVEL:
1950: dropped 5 ft/yr
1990’s: 1.35 ft/yr
Decline in well yields correlates with 20-50% decline in productivity in Texas High Plains (dry)
![Page 37: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
- The Ogallala Aquifer:
Lubbock, Texas:
18 inches of rain
80 inches of evaporative potential
Irrigation has to make up that difference AND water the plants!!
![Page 38: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
- The Ogallala Aquifer:
What’s left?
3.27 billion acre-feet (WOW!) It is 1000 feet deep in some areas of Nebraska
(U.S. – 2.3 billion acres)
Is it inexhaustible?
![Page 39: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
- The Ogallala Aquifer:
Is it inexhaustible?
That depends on where you are… when saturation depth drops to 30 feet, can’t sustain high volume pumping for agriculture (1000 gallons/min)
Dropping 1 ft/yr…
![Page 40: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Landsat image, North Texas, 2010
![Page 41: Ecosystem Ecology I. Introduction II. Energy Flow III. Biogeochemical Cycles](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062721/5681389e550346895da05757/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
So, to produce food we spread the water in rivers over our agricultural land. This produces food, but also increases evaporation of that water.
We are also ‘mining’ water from the ground, increasing it’s transfer.
So humans are increasing flux rates… and eventually, through these exchanges, the water ends up in the ocean where it resides for a long time.