Energy flow in Ecosystems

Energy, Ecosystems, and Ecology!Energy flow in Ecosystems

Different Types of EnergyMechanical Energy is the energy associated with the motion or position of an object. Mechanical energy can be kinetic or potential energy.Mechanical Energy is the total energy of the system. Examples: School Bus Moving, Frog Jumping, and even sounds moving through the air.Roller Coaster Kinetic and Potential Energy Gizmo

Different Types of EnergyThermal Energy is the total energy of the particles in a substance or material.When the thermal energy of an object increases its particles move faster, making the temperature of the object rise.Ice Cream melts when its thermal energy increases.

Different Types of EnergyChemical energy is potential energy stored in chemical bonds that hold chemical compounds together. Chemical energy is stored in the foods you eat and in a match that is used to light a candle. Chemical energy is even stored in the cells or your body.Chemical Energy comes from a chemical reaction and can be absorbed in the form of a chemical compound.What chemical reaction do we use for our chemical energy?

Different Types of EnergyThe movement of electric charges produces electricity or electrical energy. You rely on electrical energy from batteries or power lines to run electrical devices.

The Importance of PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis is the chemical process where plants take sunlight and convert it into energy.This is the equation for photosynthesis. 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy C6H12O6 + 6O2The reactants for photosynthesis are Carbon Dioxide, Water, and Sunlight EnergyThe products for photosynthesis are Sugar and Oxygen.Photosynthesis VideoThe Chemistry of Photosynthesis

The Importance of PhotosynthesisThe sunlight is the source of energy for all living things on Earth. The energy source for all ecosystems is the Sun.Without sunlight being converted into useable chemical energy plants could not grow.If plants quit reproducing and growing the foundation for all food chains would be ruined. Only a few rare archaebacteria would survive.

The Importance of PhotosynthesisNot only does photosynthesis provide food and energy to other organisms its our source for oxygen.99% of organisms are aerobic. That means they need oxygen to live and a certain amount of it. Without plants producing oxygen most of the worlds organisms would die out within weeks.Plants use sugar for their energy and growth needs.

Types of AutotrophsAutotrophs are also known as producers. They make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Most autotrophs are actually photoautotrophs because they take the sunlight and convert it into food. Some autotrophs are known as chemoautotrophs because they convert chemicals like sulfur or ammonia into useable forms of energy or food.

Where does photosynthesis occur and how does it influence a plant?Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of the plant cells. Chloroplasts convert the light energy into sugar through various reactions including the light and dark reactions as well as the Calvin Cycle.The sugar is converted into useable energy or ATP for the plant cell so it can grow and reproduce.

Photosynthesis ContinuedPhotosynthesis converts Solar Energy into Chemical Energy.

Cellular Respiration the opposite of PhotosynthesisDuring respiration, cells break down simple food molecules such as glucose and release the energy they containThe following is the equation for respiration C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + EnergyThe reactants for this equation are sugar glucose and oxygen. The products are carbon dioxide and water and mechanical and thermal energy.Respiration and Photosynthesis are Chemical Reactions.Respiration releases energy from food.Chemical Energy is converted into Mechanical and Thermal Energy in this process!

Respiration the opposite of PhotosynthesisRespiration in animals is a process that converts food energy into mechanical energy and heat energy.Heat energy makes us as animals warm blooded or endothermic organisms.Our bodies maintain a natural temperature in non-extreme environments.Mechanical energy in our body can be converted into useable energy in our bodies so our bodies can perform their regular functions.Cellular Respiration Animation

Photosynthesis vs. Respiration1. Photosynthesis occurs in the presence of light (and chlorophyll in plant cells)2. Requires energy (light) to make sugar (glucose)3. Complex substances (sugar) are formed from simpler ones4. Carbon dioxide and water are the reactants.5. Oxygen is a product.6. Solar Energy is converted into Chemical Energy1. Respiration occurs at all times in cells.2. Releases energy from sugar3. Complex substances (sugar) are broken down into simpler ones.4. Carbon Dioxide and water are the products.5. Oxygen is a reactant6. Chemical Energy is converted into Mechanical and Thermal Energy.Reactants and Products for Photosynthesis and RespirationWhat are the reactants for photosynthesis?What is the optimal temperature for plant/seed growth?What is the optimal water amount for plant/seed growth?What is the optimal amount of light for plant/seed growth?The right amount of all the products is dependant upon the plant. There is no one correct obvious answer, but it is important that you are able to look at graphs and find out what variable is best for a specific plant.

The Right Amount of Light

The Right Temperature Range

Energy in our EcosystemWhere does energy in our ecosystem start?What path does it follow to get to us?There is an energy pathway that goes from Sunlight to mechanical energy. It is as follows:1. Sunlight: Light Energy: Plants Use Photosynthesis to form Sugars: 2. Sugars Stored as Chemical Energy in Plants: 3. Plants are consumed: 4. Through Respiration Chemical Energy from plants is converted into Mechanical Energy for our MusclesEnergy Cycle Animation

Animals can be classified by how they get their energy!Herbivores get their energy by consuming plantsCarnivores get their energy by consuming other animalsOmnivores get their energy by consuming plants and animals

Whats a Heterotroph?Heterotroph is an organism that requires organic substrates to get its chemical energy for its life cycle.Humans are Heterotrophs. All Consumers are Heterotrophs!

Food ChainsA food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy. The first organism in a food chain is always a producer, such as the grass in a field.The second organism is a consumer that eats the producer, and is called a first-level consumer. This first level consumer has to be a herbivore or an omnivore. A second-level consumer might eat the first-level consumer. (and so on and so on) The second level consumer is usually a carnivore.In this picture what would happen if all of the caterpillars died off?

Food Chain or Food WebA food chain is a series of events in which one organism eats another and obtains energy.A food web consists of many overlapping food chains in an ecosystem.

Food Web

Ecological PyramidA ecological pyramid or energy pyramid shows the relationship between consumers and producers at different trophic levels in an ecosystem.Shows the relative amount of energy or matter contained at each trophic level.The Pyramid shows which level has the most energy and the highest number of organisms.

Energy PyramidsMost of the energy the primary consumer gets from the producer is used by the consumer.Some of the energy moves into the atmosphere as heat. Most of the energy lost in this pyramid is lost as heat.Whatever energy is left is available for the next consumer. (if there is one)The picture to the right is an energy pyramid.

Energy PyramidsThat the amount of available energy decreases as you go up the food chain.It takes a large number of producers to support a small number of primary consumersIt takes a large number of primary consumers to support a small number of secondary consumersThe # of organisms and the amount of energy decreases as you move up the pyramid.

Where does the energy go?When an organism eats it obtains energy.Some of this energy is used to move, grow, reproduce, and carry out life activities. For warm blooded creatures this includes heating our bodies. Because of this only some of the energy will be available to the next organism in the food chain.

BiomassThe total mass of the organic matter at each trophic level is called biomass.Biomass is just another term for potential energy-energy that is to be eaten and used.The transfer of energy from one level to another is very inefficient. (10% Law)

Another Energy PyramidWhich level has the most energy?Which level has the most organisms?Which level has the least organisms?Which level has the least energy?

Humans can disrupt or help Food WebsCan anybody think of any food webs or chains that humans have influenced positively or negatively?

Some ways we have helped our worldPeople create wetlands and nesting boxes that increase the number and range of wood ducks.Restoring natural habitats by planting trees and increasing foliage.

Some ways we have damaged our WorldThe increase of acid rain is caused by more greenhouse gases in the air. The acid rain can damage amphibian eggs and reduce the population of frogs.Acid rain is found in parts of the country where there are many cars and power plants. Water in the form of rain is chemically combined with sulfur dioxide and oxygen to create sulfuric acid, which then becomes rain.

Some ways we have damaged our WorldClear cutting is a logging practice when all or most of the trees in a harvest area are cut down. Clear cutting causes a major loss of habitat and a large increase in soil erosion.Without tree seedlings to grow an area such as this can not recover for many years.

Inference vs. EvidenceAn inference is a guess about a problem or situation.Evidence is actually based upon what you really know to be true.Make an inference about the Lion to the right!

Inference ActivityInfer the possible effects that humans could have on a desert ecosystem.Infer the possible effects that humans could have on an arctic ecosystem.

Same Ecosystem different ScientistsLets say our ecosystem we are studying is the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.How would different scientists study this environment?For example how about a Biologist, Geologist, Chemist, Physicist, Botanist, Ecologist, etc.

To Be or not To Be ExtinctExtinction occurs when members of a species are no longer surviving in any environment. Endangered is when you have a very small number of individuals left in a specific species.If an organism goes extinct what effects does that have on other organisms and its environment?Tasmanian Tiger went extinct within the last 100 years.As many as 27,000 species of various organisms go extinct each year.

Why try and Save Endangered Species?So why is protecting endangered species important?What can you do?

How can we make our World better?The following is going to be a discussion on what we have done that is wrong or bad as of late. We are all guilty of one or quite a few of these problems.I have suggestions written out on how you can payback the environment for certain negative things you have done.

1- View Lot HomesBuilding a big house on the hill gives a great view of the valley When land is cleared for a home or a parking lot then it will decrease the amount and types of animals that can live nearby.

Status Symbol

401- View Lot HomesRequire some habitat destruction

BirdsDeerElkRodentsReptiles

411- View Lot HomesRequire some removal of vegetation, which allows erosion to occur faster

Better views = steeper slopes = more erosion

Building Roads into areas that are not residential.

421- View Lot HomesUses a lot of Wood and Trees!Create lots of construction waste

43View Lot Homes - PaybackCreate areas for wildlife in the landscape

Provide nesting boxes and year-round food for birds

44View Lot Homes - PaybackRe-plant native vegetation

Do not overly use insecticides or pesticides

45View Lot Homes - PaybackSlow erosion by planting trees

Use erosion control fabric on steep slopes

Place large boulders or imbed logs along pathways

46View Lot Homes - PaybackRecycle household trash as much as possible

Look for the recycle symbol

JUST DO IT!

472- High Energy DemandsHere in the west, most people drive large vehicles to get around

They require more fuel and create more pollutionWe use lots of electricity at our homes, sometimes needlessly.

482- High Energy DemandsOil has to be refined into gasoline before it can go into our vehicles

Refineries create more pollution

492- High Energy DemandsWe have many homes and businesses which means that we need lots of electricity

502- High Energy DemandsElectricity is produced by burning coal, which pollutes the air

(Thats why electric cars only solve half of the pollution problem.)

512- High Energy DemandsThe coal is dug from a mine (probably in eastern Utah)

This mining requires more energy output and more pollution

This mining contributes to erosion.

52High Energy Demands - PaybackUse frontrunner for commuting (if possible)

53High Energy Demands - PaybackCarpool to school and combine trips to the store

54High Energy Demands - PaybackBecome part of the team that creates an alternate fuel source

(The mother of all science fair projects)A Different Kind of Fuel Video

55High Energy Demands - PaybackProgram your thermostat at home drop the temperature when no-one is home

56High Energy Demands - PaybackWhen regular bulbs burn out, replace them with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs

57High Energy Demands - PaybackTurn off stuff when youre not using it!

Unplugging it is even better

58High Energy Demands - PaybackBuy energy efficient appliances

59High Energy Demands - PaybackSupport programs to use alternate energy sources, such as wind power, geothermal energy, and hydro-electric power

603- Urban SprawlMost people want to move to the open

With lots of new houses, comes new roads and new shopping centers and new hospitals bingo we have unplanned sprawl with no open

613- Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl creates habitat fragmentation

623- Urban SprawlThe areas of open space left after the humans move in are too small to support wildlifeThink about the movie Over the Hedge

633- Urban SprawlHigh concentrations of humans pollute the water

643- Urban SprawlHigh concentrations of humans pollute the air

653- Urban SprawlWe dry up the wetlands to build houses, and destroy wildlife habitatYes, we have wetlands in Utah.

66Urban Sprawl - PaybackCreate natural areas in your yard where wild animals are welcome

67Urban Sprawl - PaybackTry not to use chemicals on your lawn or trees

68Urban Sprawl - PaybackBecome a city planner or serve on your city council to promote smart growth.

Plan for wild spaces

69You owe it to the environment!JUST DO IT!

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