what is an ecosystem ?
a community of organisms and their physical environment interacting together as an ecological unit
what is an ecosystem structure?
- Structure refers to the physical and biological components of an ecosystem and how they are organized.
what determines ecosystem structure?
Biotic components: plants, animals, microorganisms
Abiotic components: soil, water, air, sunlight, nutrients
Organization: species composition, trophic levels (producers, consumers, decomposers), spatial arrangement
👉 In short: the parts and their arrangement
Example:
A forest’s structure includes trees, understory plants, animals, soil layers, and the vertical layering of vegetation.
what is an ecosystem function?
- refers to the processes and interactions that occur within the ecosystem—how energy and matter move and how the system operates.
- It includes:
Energy flow (photosynthesis, food chains)
Nutrient cycling (carbon, nitrogen, water cycles)
Decomposition
Productivity and regulation of populations
👉 In short: the processes and activities
what are the two types of ecosystem functions?
- Anthropococentric
- nature based
What are Anthropocentric ecosystem functions?
Natural processes that provide goods/services for human needs.
What is an example of a anthropocentric function?
Forests providing timber, clean water, or recreation.
What are Nature-based ecosystem functions?
Processes that move/transform energy or materials in ecosystems.
Give an example of a nature-based ecosystem function.
Carbon cycling, nutrient recycling, soil formation, or water filtration.
what is earths global energy balance?
balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun and the energy Earth radiates back into space
what determines global temperatures?
earths orbit and tilt to the sun
Why is Earth’s energy balance slightly out of balance?
Greenhouse gases trap some outgoing heat, so slightly less energy leaves the planet.
How do greenhouse gases affect habitability?
They keep the planet warm enough for life.
what is the driving force of atmospheric circulation?
- solar energy distribution
How is energy distributed across the Earth?
Unequally – tropics get high energy, poles get low energy.
what causes global movement of air?
Temperature and pressure differences from energy imbalances.
How do these air movements affect weather?
They create variations in weather patterns across the globe.
What are Hadley Cells?
the cells of air near the equator
- drive trade winds
what are polar cells?
- cells of air around the poles
- drives easterly winds
what are ferrel cells?
the cells of air in the mid latitudes
- drives westerly winds
What is the role of ocean currents?
They redistribute heat and materials across the planet.
What drives surface ocean circulation?
Wind patterns, which form major surface currents.
What drives deep water circulation?
Changes in water temperature and salinity.
What is the North Atlantic Conveyor?
Part of deep water circulation that transports cool water to the Southern Hemisphere.
