Ecosystem Interactions and Climate Dynamics

Ecosystem Interactions and Dynamics

• Ecosystems encompass living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components.
• Interactions between these components drive energy and material flows.
• Ecosystem processes are influenced by state factors (climate, topography) and interactive controls (species interactions, human interventions).
• These controls shape ecosystem stability and functionality across space and time.

Earth's Climate System and Biomes

• Earth's diverse climates are shaped by solar radiation, land-water distribution, and ocean currents.
• Temperature and precipitation are crucial drivers of species richness and biome types.
• Human activities, such as deforestation and urbanization, alter biomes, decreasing biodiversity and impacting ecosystem functions.

Humans and Ecosystems

Population and Environment

• Global urbanization (57% in 2022) significantly alters land use and ecological footprint.
• Urban sprawl fragments habitats and disrupts nutrient cycles.

Ecosystem Services

• Ecosystem services include supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural services.
• Degradation of ecosystems reduces these vital services for human well-being.

Ecosystem Impacts

• Biodiversity loss: Human activities increase extinction rates substantially.
• Land use & agriculture: Agricultural expansion has increased from 1950 onward, covering 25% of the Earth's terrestrial surface.
• Nitrogen cycle disruption: Human nitrogen use negatively affects ecosystems globally.
• Climate change: Rising CO₂ concentrations are causing profound impacts on weather and ecosystems.

Natural Resource Management

Soil and Land Resources

• Soil is vital for ecosystem services but faces threats from erosion, compaction, salinization, and reduced organic matter.
• Unsustainable agriculture and land use changes degrade soils.
• Soil degradation in the EU has annual costs exceeding €38 billion.

Water Resources

• Agriculture consumes the majority (70%) of global water.
• Inefficient irrigation, pollution, and climate variability strain water resources.

Forest Resources

• Forests (31% of Earth's land) face decline due to deforestation in tropical areas.
• Management of European forests is high (over 90%).
• Conflicts arise between biomass energy use and biodiversity conservation in forests.

Energy Resources

• Fossil fuels have a limited lifespan (45-111 years projected availability).
• Renewable energy is crucial to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
• Biomass energy development faces trade-offs like competition with food production.

Ecosystem Resilience and Sustainability

Resilience

• Ecosystem resilience is the ability to absorb disturbances and maintain functionality.
• Ecosystems can shift to new stable states if thresholds are crossed (e.g., Mar Menor).

Sustainability

• Sustainability meets current needs without compromising future generations.
• It balances environmental, social, and economic factors (e.g., SDGs).
• Circular and bioeconomies promote resource optimization and waste reduction.

Ecological Footprint

• Human activities exceed Earth's biocapacity, with some planetary boundaries already crossed.
• Urgent action is needed to restore ecological balance.

Key Takeaways

• Ecosystems are essential for human well-being, and their degradation harms health, food security, and climate stability.
• Human activities disrupt ecological interactions.
• Sustainable resource management, enhanced resilience, and renewable energy adoption are crucial.

Explore the intricate relationships within ecosystems and how they are influenced by climate and human activity. This quiz covers the dynamics of biotic and abiotic interactions, as well as the impact of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. Test your understanding of Earth's climate systems and their roles in shaping biomes.