GEOG 1114 1st Edition Lecture 19Outline of Last Lecture -Surface water -Wetlands -Rivers/Streams*Short lecture the first half of class then an in class assignment for the last half Outline of Current Lecture -Cycles of the Biosphere -Flow of Energy: different cycles -Food Webs -Biogeography: concepts of biogeography -Four major environmental factors Current Lecture Introduction to Cycles of the Biosphere: Introduction to the intricate network of interaction and interrelationships between a series of biogeochemical cycles of flows.The Flow of EnergySolar energy, fixed by green plants during the process of photosynthesis, is cycled through the biosphere by the consumption of plants by animals, and by the decomposition of organic matter.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.The Hydrologic CycleWater enters the atmosphere by processes of E and ET, is transported through the atmosphere by prevailing winds, where it condenses and falls as PPTN. Surface run-off and groundwater flow complete the cycle. Water moves in and out of the biosphere through photosynthesis.The Carbon CycleCarbon is fundamental to all forms of life and it is one of the most important biogeochemical cycles.Carbon is introduced into the biosphere through photosynthesis. Green plants photosynthesis into carbohydrates, which are used for energy directly by the plant or consumed by animals, fix carbon dioxide.As living organisms utilize these carbons, carbons dioxide is again released into the atmosphere through respiration.*Only a small % of earth’s carbon is present as CO2 in the atmosphere. Far larger amounts of carbon compounds are dissolved in the seas, stored in veg., limestone, and bedrock deposits of oil, coal, and gas. Since the industrial revolution, burning of fossil fuels is increasing the CO2 levels in the atmosphere.The Oxygen Cycle*Crucial for life. Cycled through photosynthesis.The Nitrogen CycleEssential to al living organisms, yet very few organisms can directly utilize nitrogen gas from the atmosphere. In most cases, nitrogen must be “fixed” into “nitrates,” a form of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants. Some nitrogen is fixed in the atmosphere, but microorganisms in the soil fix most.Food Webs – Transfer of energy in Biosphere-Nutrients pass through food webs -Primary energy transformation mechanism -Fundamental unit: producers (autotrophs)-Consumers eat producers (heterotrophs) -Primary consumers-herbivores -Secondary consumers- carnivores -Food pyramid-Decomposers begin the food pyramid again -Energy flows in one direction -Nutrients are recycled Biogeography -Geographical distribution of various life forms that comprise the biosphere- Flora and Fauna -The interactions of various life forms-How the patterns of solar energy and PPTN affect their distribution patterns.Concepts of BiogeographyEcology: The study of interactions among organisms with their particular habitat or environment.Ecosystem: Ecological unit or community of plants and animals generally in equilibrium with the inputs of energy and materials in a particular environment.Ecotone: Gradual boundary zone between 2 ecosystems.Norman sits on an ecotone: Crosstimbers Biome: Large-scale, highly generalized ecosystem type recognized on a global scale (usually on the basis of climatic influences)Ecological Niche: Specific ways an organism actually functions in their particular habitatPopulation dynamics: Reflect intricate relationships between species.Ecosystem Resilience: Diversity of plant life in an ecosystem working to achieve balance in energy flows. The ecosystem is constantly changing, building to equilibrium and then responding to changes brought its way.Succession: A series of communities that come into being in disturbed ecosystems. Eachsucceeding community alters the local microclimate and surface conditions, making possible the appearance of a new community.Population Dynamics: intricate relationships Predator/Prey – lion vs. gazelleParasitism – mistletoe Mutualism – flower and bee, clownfish and anemone Neutralism – cow and worm Commensalism - redwood tree Dynamic Equilibrium Ecosystem resilience -Dynamic planet- constantly changing -Biodiversity of flora and fauna in ecosystems to achieve balance of energy/nutrient flows -Ecosystem builds to equilibrium, responding to the changes brought its