Ecosystems and Earth and How Man Turns it into Waste

Abiotic features of the environment

Abiotic features are the non-living

components of the environment. They

include, Physical features: temperature, rainfall,

wind, light intensity, humidity, soil type, water, landform

Chemical features: pH of soil or water, salinity, availability of gases

Biotic features of the environment

Biotic features are the living components of

the environment. This includes: Plants Animals Micro-organisms

Environments and their Ecosystems1. Aquatic environments

Environments can be

classified as aquatic (water)

or terrestrial (land). Aquatic

environments can be either

freshwater or marine

(saltwater).

2. Terrestrial environments

Terrestrial environments are found in

different climates and range from deserts,

grasslands

and rainforests to

mountain regions.

Cycles of Materials in our Ecosystems and why they are important

There are three cycles important to all ecosystems.1. The Water Cycle2. The Carbon Cycle and 3. The Nitrogen CycleThere are other cycles but we will look at these cycles in particular and their importance to ecosystems.

A Side Track

Ever wonder why the Sahara Desert is so big when it lies in a tropical belt where water and vegetative

growth should be in abundance.

The answer CYCLES.

It is thought that over thousands of years man's impact on this region in removing resources, particularly vegetation, has resulted in the cycles no longer functioning, reducing the region to desert.

Cycles are that important that each cycle is dependent on the other for the cycles to function.

The Carbon Cycle

The element carbon is central to all life forms. Carbon is taken in from the air by plants, used by living organisms, and then returned to the air in a continuous cycle.

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Download the worksheets on clementscience web site

The Importance of the Carbon Cycle

Give a brief discussion below of why carbon is essential for ecosystems

Answer:

In the context of the Sahara Desert give an explanation as to why the disruption of the carbon cycle caused the desert to form.

Answer

A Stumper

If carbon is so important to our environment why do we have a carbon tax?

Answer:

The Water Cycle

This is a no-brainer in terms of importance to our ecosystems.

All life is not just based on carbon chemistry but water chemistry. All biological reactions take place within cells in a bath of water. It is essential for living things. So much so, that NASA looks for water on planets to determine if life would be viable.

Interfere with cycle of water and you immediately disrupt the ecosystems that rely on it.

Check out the next animation

When Man Interferes with The Water Cycle

In the previous animation you notice that water naturally flows from land to the sea. Water also transpires from forests.

Can you see what has happened over the centuries when man has upset the natural cycle.

Discuss how the Murray Darling irrigation system has effected ecosystems.Answer:

The main food belt of USA is now becoming known as the Dust Bowl. Hypothesise as to why this has occurred.

Rainforests create their won microclimates. The vast vegetation sees large amounts of evaporation which in turns creates thunderstorms which rewater the forest. The Amazon is a prime example of this phenomenon. Currently vast areas are being denuded not for the timber but to grow grass for cattle to produce meet for burger companies.

Hypothesise what will like happen with the removal of forests in context of the water cycle.Answer:

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen cycle is about getting nitrogen into plants.Nitrogen is another essential element that is found in proteins and DNA.

The only means that plants have of absorbing nitrogen is if it is as a nitrate. It can't be absorbed any other way.The only way animals can get their nitrogen is by eating plants

Decomposition and the recycling of waste is essential in the production of nitrates.

The removal of bacteria from our soil would have major cosequences on an ecosystem.

Man removes nitrogen by removing plants. What are the consequences of such actions and how does man manage the loss of nitrogen?

Energy transfer in an ecosystem

Light energy

Chlorophyll

Photosynthesis Glucose Transported through the plant

Respiration

Energy for cell processes

Converted into carbohydrates

Uses of energy by organisms

Living organisms need a constant supply of

energy to maintain cellular activities and stay

alive. In ecosystems the initial source of energy

is light from the sun. This is used by plants

during photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates.

Organisms (i.e. plants) that can manufacture their

own food from inorganic materials are called

autotrophs.

Producers and consumers

Green plants provide the entire input of energy to an ecosystem and are called producers. When animals (herbivores) eat plants, the carbohydrates stored in plants are converted back into glucose. The glucose is broken down during respiration to provide the animal’s energy requirements. Similarly, when carnivores eat other animals, this chemical energy is passed on.

Energy transfer in ecosystems

PlantEaten by

animal

Carbohydrates digested to

glucose

Respiration

Energy for animal cellular

process

Converted into other

substances

Food chains and websFood chains show the flow of energy through

ecosystems.

grass wallaby dingo

PRODUCER FIRST ORDER CONSUMER

SECOND ORDER CONSUMER

Food chains and websFood chains show the flow of energy through

ecosystems.

grass wallaby dingo

PRODUCER FIRST ORDER CONSUMER

SECOND ORDER CONSUMER

Food websThe interrelationship between many food chains

is called a

food web.

Major Ecosystems of the World

Australia’s major ecosystemsAustralia’s major ecosystems