Vocabulary-
Ecosystem- particular location on Earth distinguished by its mix of biotic and abiotic components
Gross Primary Productivity- total amount of solar energy that the producers get via photosynthesis
Net Primary Productivity- energy captured minus the energy respired by producers
Biomass- total mass of all living matter in an area
Standing Crop- amount of biomass present in an ecosystem at a time
Ecological Efficiency- proportion of energy consumed that can be passed through trophic levels
Trophic Pyramid- represents the distribution of biomass among trophic levels
Biogeochemical Cycles- movements of matter within and between ecosystems
Macronutrients- six key elements organisms need in large amounts
Limiting Nutrient- lack of can cause death in organisms
Leaching- nutrients transporting through soil into water
Disturbance- event that results in changes in population size or community composition
Resistance- measure of how much a disturbance can affect the flows of energy and matter
Resilience- rate at which an ecosystem returns to its original state after a disturbance
Instrumental Value- worth as an instrument or tool that can be used to accomplish a goal
Intrinsic Value- it has worth independent of any benefit it may provide to humans
Current Events-
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140710141553.htm
The harmful algal bloom has caused drastic changes to the Lake Erie ecosystem. The increased amount of phosphorus has caused a giant increase in the amount algae and this led to a dead zone in the lake. Scientists are attempting to clear it out as best they can.
Environmental Quote-
http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/bee-pollination.html
Bees provide pollen transportation which can help in the production in most of the food that we eat. Without these bees we would have a drastically smaller amount of produce being produced to eat eventually leading to the downfall of animals that eat the produce and us due to the lack of animals.
Big Picture Reflection-
Human Impact- The cycles of the elements that affect the ecosystems can be largely affected by humans. Just by doing basic things like polluting or using too much fertilizer or causing fires, cycles can be enhanced or blocked. With these changes certain organisms cannot get what necessities that they require and this messes with the amount of energy being transferred.
Environmental Impact- The energy lost can cause organisms to die out. The resistance and resilience will decrease with the loss of biodiversity and ecosystems will slowly diminish with the disturbances that come their way.
Economic Impact- When overuse of phosphorus as a fertilizer occurs crops can die out. When the crops die farmers can't make a living and are forced to take up different types of farming.
Government Legislation- The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program has partnered with the U.S. Golf Association have started working together to try to stop the high use of highly toxic pesticides and promote more nutrient retention and conservation of water on the courses.
