IMG_8146.jpeg

# Energy Pyramid A diagram that represents the energy transfer between trophic levels. It shows how much energy is transferred between organisms. * **Unit:** $kJ m^{-2}y^{-1}$ or $m^{2} y^{-1}$ * **Conditions:** No longer than 5 organisms. # Systems ## Open System * Both energy and matter can...

# Energy Pyramid A diagram that represents the energy transfer between trophic levels. It shows how much energy is transferred between organisms. * **Unit:** $kJ m^{-2}y^{-1}$ or $m^{2} y^{-1}$ * **Conditions:** No longer than 5 organisms. # Systems ## Open System * Both energy and matter can enter and exit. * Includes: migration, river flow, deforestation, and ecosystems. ## Closed System * Only energy can pass in and out * Matter is not allowed in or out * Matter must be recycled. * Example: Earth # Summary Diagram All organic (and inorganic) parts of an animal are released in the form of heat energy(non-recyclable), but inorganic parts(nutrients) are recycled and returned to autotrophs. # Primary Production * Biomass generated by the activity of producers. * Influenced by sunlight * Different biomes have different biomass accumulation. # Secondary Production * Addition of biomass in subsequent heterotrophic levels. * Conversion of one form of carbon molecules to another, inside consumers * Primary and secondary production. # Biomass Pyramid * Estimates the dry mass of all organisms within a level. * Unit: $gm^{2} yr^{-1}$ # Numbers Pyramid * Number of organisms at a specific level. # Carbon Cycle ## Past (300 years ago) * Carbon present in various forms in the biosphere (Atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere). * **Produced by** carbon sources: cell respiration (all trophic levels), volcanic activity. * **Absorbed by** carbon sinks: photoautotrophs (photosynthesis), oceans. * **Photosynthesis** provides carbon to producers. * Feeding provides carbon to herbivores. * Excretion/death provide carbon to decomposers * Partial decomposition provides carbon to fossil fuels. * Carbon fluxes transfer from one carbon pool to another. ## Present (Now) * Carbon present in various forms in the biosphere (Atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere). * **Produced by** carbon sources: - cell respiration (all trophic levels) - volcanic activity - burning of organic material * **Absorbed by** carbon sinks: - photoautotrophs (photosynthesis) - oceans. * **Photosynthesis** provides carbon to producers. * Feeding provides carbon to herbivores. * Excretion/death provides carbon to decomposers. * Partial decomposition provides carbon to fossil fuels * Carbon fluxes transfer from one carbon pool to another **Important:** The carbon fluxes caused by respiration and photosynthesis are primary. # Keeling Curve * NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - the longest continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration in Earth's atmosphere. * Measured in Hawaii (Mauna Loa) due to far from industrial zones and high elevation. * **White line:** average trend of increasing $CO_2$. * **Red line:** oscillating pattern, higher $CO_2$ absorption in summer and autumn due to seasonal changes in photosynthetic organisms.