Ecology of Nutrients and Productivity
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What is meant by the term 'limiting nutrient'?

  • A nutrient that organisms need only in very small amounts.
  • A nutrient that limits the growth potential due to its scarcity relative to other resources. (correct)
  • A nutrient that does not affect the growth of organisms in any way.
  • A nutrient that is required in greater quantities than others for growth.

Which nutrient is primarily limiting for ocean plankton growth?

  • Silica
  • Hydrogen
  • Oxygen
  • Nitrogen (correct)

How does adding carbon without additional nitrogen or phosphorus affect plankton growth?

  • Plankton growth remains unchanged. (correct)
  • Plankton grow for a limited time and then stop.
  • Plankton grow significantly faster.
  • Plankton die off due to excess carbon.

What factors can limit primary productivity in various environments?

<p>Nutrients and other environmental factors. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What element is essential for building DNA, proteins, and fats?

<p>A combination of multiple elements. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ammonium (NH4+) and phosphate (PO4-3) in ecological studies of phytoplankton?

<p>They identify the limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issue does excess fertilizer from farms contribute to?

<p>Formation of dead zones in marine environments. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can be concluded about nutrient limitation in marine biomes?

<p>Nutrient limitation varies by location and species. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of estuaries that contributes to their productivity?

<p>Mixing of different nutrient sources (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes an ecosystem?

<p>A biological community and its interactions with the abiotic environment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which zone is characterized by organisms or detritus falling to the bottom?

<p>Marine Benthic Zone (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which primary characteristic differentiates aquatic biomes?

<p>Amount of salt (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the vertical zonation in standing freshwater biomes characterized by?

<p>Light availability and temperature (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main benefits provided by wetlands?

<p>Water quality regulation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of gross primary production?

<p>The total rate of photosynthesis in an ecosystem (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily limits the distribution of organisms in intertidal zones?

<p>Duration of drying (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the distinction between biomes and ecosystems?

<p>Ecosystems are broad categories, while biomes correspond to particular geographic areas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limiting nutrient in an ecosystem?

<p>A nutrient that slows down growth due to scarcity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one source of new energy captured in marine systems?

<p>Photosynthesis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which zone of a lake is most productive in terms of photosynthesis?

<p>Photic zone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for depth-related zones in aquatic environments?

<p>Light availability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are coral reefs considered vital ecosystems?

<p>They are home to a vast diversity of species. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is true regarding energy flow in an ecosystem?

<p>Energy flow decreases as it moves up trophic levels (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which zone in a marine biome is typically where photosynthesis predominates?

<p>Photic zone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a biome and an ecosystem?

<p>Biomes can include multiple ecosystems. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ecosystem stocks and flows, what unit is most appropriate for measuring stock?

<p>kg (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the stock size in an ecosystem when inflow equals outflow?

<p>The stock size remains constant. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does turnover time represent in terms of an ecosystem stock?

<p>The time to replace the entire stock. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the turnover time for oxygen based on the provided information?

<p>3300 years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much carbon dioxide (C02) is held in the atmosphere as per the example?

<p>3.0 × 10^15 kg (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If photosynthesis were to stop today, how quickly could the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere double?

<p>12 years (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding stocks in ecosystems?

<p>Stocks represent only inflows, not outflows. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which quantity will empty faster without rain?

<p>100,000 L at 5,000 L/Day (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of decomposers in an ecosystem?

<p>They recycle nutrients back to primary producers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does NPP stand for in the context of ecosystems?

<p>Net Primary Production (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limits primary productivity on land?

<p>Intensity of sunlight (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of all energy in an ecosystem?

<p>Lost as heat (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is gross primary production (GPP) defined?

<p>Total light energy converted by photosynthesis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is the best predictor of primary productivity on land?

<p>Latitude (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a limiting nutrient in an ecosystem?

<p>A nutrient that restricts organism growth (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What defines aquatic biomes?

Aquatic biomes are primarily characterized by their physical environment, including salinity, depth, and water flow.

Types of Freshwater Biomes

Freshwater biomes are categorized as either standing water (like lakes) or running water (like streams).

Lake/Ocean Zones

Lakes and oceans have vertical zones based on light penetration. The littoral/neritic zone is shallow and sunlit, while the limnetic/oceanic zone extends deeper, with a photic zone where photosynthesis dominates and an aphotic zone where respiration exceeds photosynthesis.

Most Productive Area of a Lake

The littoral zone, due to abundant sunlight and nutrients, is the most productive area of a lake per unit area.

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What Predicts Marine Biome Distribution?

The primary factor driving the global distribution of marine biomes is the depth of the ocean.

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Ecosystem

An ecosystem encompasses all the organisms in a given area, as well as their abiotic environment, interacting as a functional unit.

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Emergent Properties

Ecosystems possess emergent properties, characteristics that arise from the interactions of its components—organisms and their environment—that are not present in individual parts.

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Ecosystem Stocks, Flows, and Turnover

Ecosystems involve stocks (total amount of a substance), flows (movement of the substance), and turnover (rate of replacement of the substance).

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Emptying Rate

The speed at which a reservoir loses water without rain. Calculated by dividing the reservoir's volume by its daily outflow.

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Ecosystem Cycling

The continuous movement of nutrients or energy within an ecosystem, without external inputs or outputs.

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Ecosystem Flows

The transfer of energy or nutrients into, out of, or within an ecosystem.

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Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.

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Primary Producers

Organisms that capture energy from sunlight (photoautotrophs) or chemicals to convert inorganic materials into organic compounds.

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Consumers

Organisms that obtain energy and nutrients by consuming other organisms.

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Trophic Levels

Steps in a food chain, representing different feeding levels, from producers to consumers.

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Limiting Nutrient

A nutrient that limits the growth of organisms in an ecosystem even if other nutrients are abundant.

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Ocean Pelagic Zone

The open ocean environment, characterized by vast depths and relatively low nutrient levels.

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Marine Benthic Zone

The ocean floor environment, including seabeds, coral reefs, and hydrothermal vents, supporting diverse organisms adapted to different conditions.

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What makes estuaries so productive?

Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems due to the mixing of freshwater and saltwater, leading to a rich influx of nutrients from land and the sea.

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What are ecosystem services?

Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air and water, pollination, and flood regulation.

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Intertidal Zones

Coastal regions where the land meets the sea, experiencing alternating periods of immersion and exposure to air.

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What limits the distribution of organisms in intertidal zones?

The vertical zonation of intertidal regions, determined by the duration of drying and exposure to air, restricts the type and abundance of organisms present.

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Ecosystem Ecology

The study of energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems, exploring the interconnectedness of biotic and abiotic components.

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Ecosystem Emergent Properties

Characteristics of ecosystems that arise from the interaction of their components, such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity.

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Biome

A large-scale ecological community characterized by its climate, plant life, and animal life. It can encompass multiple ecosystems within its boundaries.

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Stock (in an ecosystem)

The amount of a specific resource within an ecosystem at a given point in time. It represents the quantity of that resource being stored or present.

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Flow (in an ecosystem)

The rate at which a resource moves into or out of a stock within an ecosystem. It represents the amount of input or output over a specific period.

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Turnover Time

The time it takes for a complete replacement of the existing stock in an ecosystem. Calculated by dividing the stock size by the inflow or outflow rate.

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What units does Turnover Time have?

Turnover Time is measured in units of time (e.g., days, years, etc.).

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How to calculate Turnover Time

Turnover Time is calculated by dividing the stock size by the inflow or outflow rate.

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Example: Oxygen Turnover

The atmosphere contains a massive stock of Oxygen, but it takes approximately 3300 years for the entire stock to be replaced through photosynthesis at current rates.

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Nitrogen (N) in Oceans

Nitrogen is often the primary limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in oceans, meaning its availability determines the overall productivity of the marine ecosystem.

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Phosphorus (P) in Oceans

Phosphorus is another essential nutrient for phytoplankton growth in oceans, though often less limiting than nitrogen.

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Effects of Excess Nutrients

When excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, enter aquatic ecosystems from sources like agricultural runoff, it can lead to algal blooms and subsequent oxygen depletion, creating 'dead zones' with limited life.

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Iron (Fe) in Oceans

Iron is an essential micronutrient for phytoplankton growth in some parts of the ocean. Its scarcity can limit productivity, especially in areas where other nutrients are abundant.

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Primary Productivity in Oceans

The rate at which primary producers, like phytoplankton, convert sunlight into organic matter. It is often limited by factors like nutrient availability and sunlight.

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Nutrient Limitation in Freshwater Systems

Freshwater ecosystems can also exhibit nutrient limitation, with varying factors like light, water, and specific nutrients influencing primary productivity.

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Whales and Iron Fertilization

Whales, particularly baleen whales, play a role in iron fertilization of the ocean. Their waste products contribute to the availability of iron, which can increase phytoplankton growth and support a larger food web.

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Study Notes

Ecosystem Ecology

  • Ecosystem ecology is the study of energy transformation and the movement of chemical elements between biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem.
  • Ecosystems vary in size, with boundaries defined by the specific question being asked (e.g., a tide pool or the Amazon rainforest).
  • A biological community and its interactions with the abiotic environment make up an ecosystem.
  • Examples of emergent properties within ecosystems are energy flow and nutrient cycling.
  • Biomes are broad categories of ecosystems, occurring on a large scale and containing multiple ecosystems.
  • Biomes vary less than terrestrial biomes.

Ecosystem Components: Stocks vs Flows

  • Stock (pool, reservoir): a measured amount of a resource at a specific point in time. Units include kg, J, etc.
  • Flow: a measure of inputs into/outputs from a stock, measured in units of kg/hour, J/year, etc.
  • Stocks change due to inflows and outflows.
  • Stocks change only if inflow ≠ outflow.
  • Turnover time = (Stock size) / (inflow/outflow rate).
  • Turnover time is the duration to replace the whole stock.

Aquatic Biomes

  • Aquatic biomes show less latitudinal variation than terrestrial biomes.
  • Characterization factors include:
    • Salinity (freshwater vs. saltwater)
    • Depth (determines access to light & temperature)
    • Water flow (flowing or not)
  • Freshwater biomes are categorized as:
    • Standing water (lakes)
    • Running water (streams)
  • Lakes have vertical zoning: littoral, limnetic, photic, benthic, aphotic zones.
  • Turnover time is a key metric of how quickly nutrients are exchanged within aquatic ecosystems.

Marine Biomes

  • Distance from land and depth are the best predictors of global distribution in marine biomes.
  • Key marine biomes include:
    • Intertidal zone
    • Coral Reefs
    • Ocean Pelagic Zone
    • Marine Benthic Zone
  • Energy and nutrients flow from abiotic stocks to biotic stocks, and within biotic stocks via consumption, uptake, and decomposition.

Primary Production

  • GPP (Gross Primary Production) is the light energy converted to chemical energy via photosynthesis.
  • NPP (Net Primary Production) is the GPP minus the respiration by primary producers, representing biomass available to consumers.
  • Factors that limit NPP on land include intensity of sunlight, water, and nutrients.
  • Factors that limit NPP in water include nutrients (N, P, iron, sometimes silica).
  • Distance from land is a good predictor of NPP in aquatic environments. There is generally no latitudinal effect.
  • The littoral zone in water bodies is a high-productivity zone.

Energy Flow and Production

  • Primary producers obtain energy from the sun or abiotic chemicals to create new material from carbon and nutrients.
  • Consumers get energy by consuming other organisms.
  • Decomposers recycle nutrients.
  • Production efficiency is the efficiency with which an organism converts assimilated energy into secondary production.
  • Trophic efficiency is the portion of production transferred from one trophic level to the next. This value is typically below 10%.

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Ecosystem Ecology Lecture Notes PDF

Description

Explore the concepts of limiting nutrients, their impact on plankton growth, and the role of various elements in ecological systems. This quiz covers essential knowledge on nutrient limitations in diverse environments, particularly marine biomes and estuaries. Test your understanding of how these nutrients affect primary productivity and ecosystem health.

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