...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change Hector Canseco SCI/256 04/30/2015 Carolyn Miller Freshwater Ecosystem is a relatively small in area about 1.8% of the earth’s surface. It consists of ponds and lakes which range in size from just a few square meters to thousands of square miles. All throughout the earth several are remnants from glaciers thousands of years ago. Many ponds are seasonal, lasting just a couple of months while lakes may exist for hundreds of years or more. Ponds and lakes may have limited species since they are often isolated from one another and from other water sources like rivers and oceans. Lakes and ponds are divided into three different zones, which are usually determined by depth and distance from the shoreline. Streams and rivers are also part of the fresh water ecosystem. These are bodies of flowing water moving in one direction. Streams and rivers can be found everywhere, they get their starts at headwaters, which may be springs, snowmelt or even lakes, and then travel all the way to their mouths, usually another water channel or the ocean. The type of a river or stream changes during the journey from the source to the mouth. The temperature is cooler at the source than it is at the mouth. The water is also clearer, has higher oxygen levels, and freshwater fish such as trout and bass can be found there. Towards the middle part of the stream or river, the width increases as does species, numerous aquatic green plants and algae can be found...
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...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change paper Zachery Thursday, February 12, 2015 SCI 256 Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change paper Prior to restoration the area now known as the Chamna Natural Preserve was used to facilitate illegal dumping and racing. It was not until 1997 that cleanup of this shrub-steppe ecosystem began. Area such as this have begun to be maintained by associations with the intentions of restoring or maintaining these natural reserves. We will discuss the major structural and functional dynamics for the Chamna Natural Preserve. Along with how humans may have affected the cycling of matter in the ecosystem, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or carbon. How knowledge can or has helped to develop plans for restoration or management. Then finally about the implications of species interactions in this specific ecosystem. Structures and Functions of the Chamna Natural Preserve The Functional dynamics of this shrub-steppe ecosystem are undergoing change, and people are involved. According to Smith (2001), “Climate change will alter the nitrogen cycling in the fragile soil of semi-arid desert regions.” Since nitrogen loss is more prevalent in warmer, drier areas then cooler, wetter areas. The microbial processes related to the cycling of nitrogen are more related to the changes is climate, then by plant competition for nitrogen. Meaning that the stability of this shrub-steppe ecosystem is highly dependent on the ecosystems ability to adjust to changing...
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...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change: Options Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change: Options The Colorado Phantom Canyon Preserve is a beautiful preserve located in North-Central Colorado in the Laramie foothills about 30 miles Northwest of Fort Collins. The Phantom Canyon Preserve is among the greatest Front Range Landscapes totaling about 1,700 acres including six miles of the North Fork of the Cache La Poudre River. The Phantom Canyon Preserve is one of the last remaining canyons without a road among the Colorado’s Front Range. This preserve is home to hundreds of species of wildlife including species of special concern and hundreds of plant species. The Nature Conservancy protects the Phantom Canyon Preserve since 1987. The main reason this preserve is protected is the ecosystem supports the Larimer Aletes which is a rare member of the parsley family. This particular plant is hard to find and can only be found in Larimer and Boulder counties with its highest concentration in the Phantom Canyon Preserve. Some other native plant species that can be found in this ecosystem are Bells Twin Pod, Needle-and-Thread Grass, and One-sided Penstemon. The Phantom Canyon Preserve serves as a habitat for species of special concern such as the Black Bear, Mountain Lion, and the Bobcat. This preserve is also home to Bald Eagles in the winter, Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and Red Tail Hawks who make the high canyon walls their home. Only six elements out of ninety-two produced...
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...Ecosystems and Economics Paper BIO/280 Ecosystems and Economics Paper Our society has come to a point in time where we are more concerned about having the latest thing. While humans choose to consume natural resources our ecosystems are diminishing. In this paper I will discuss degradation, loss, effecst humans have on our planet, and the cost and benefits of human enterprise in terms of ecosystems. Degradation and Loss In past years, people have reshaped ecosystems, faster and more ample than in any time in history. While meeting fast growing request on food, fresh water, timber, and fuel. Resulting in a permanent loss in diversity of life on this planet. “These alteration we have made to our ecosystem have contributed to considerable net gain in human well-being and economic development, these gains have been achieved at growing cost in the form of the degradation of many ecosystem services” (Leemans, 2003). Effects of human activity on ecosystems Humans and technologies are disturbing the trophic structure, energy flow and the chemical balance of ecosystems worldwide. Humans move nutrients from one place to another in an ecosystem. Example; Soil from a farm can be transported into streams, and lakes, diminishing nutrients in an area causing excess to develop in another area, and disturbing chemical cycles in both areas. Introduction of toxic chemicals by humans into ecosystems have caused these chemicals to be consumed and metabolized by organisms. These chemicals...
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...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change Paper (Great Lakes) Shantera Bell October 26, 2015 SCI/256 UOP The Great Lakes region is rich with life and full of native species well adapted to survival. However, since the early 1800s, many non-native plants, animals and microscopic organisms have been introduced into the Great Lakes, either accidentally or intentionally. Great Lakes native species are diverse and interesting and contribute to a healthy ecosystem. There are many unique and interesting birds, fish and plants found in Michigan and throughout the region that are integral to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. More than 140 species of birds depend on Michigan’s coastal habitat during their life cycle. Coastal wetlands, beaches, sand dunes and remote islands provide food and shelter for both resident and migratory species. Waterfowl such as Canvasback and Scaup are among the many species that use coastal wetlands as stopover sites to rest and refuel. Shorebirds including the endangered piping plover fly thousands of miles to nest on undisturbed beaches and remote Great Lakes islands. Because of their use of the coastal lands, there are thousands of great locations to see both resident and migratory bird species throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region. State parks, national parks, wildlife refuges and sanctuaries throughout the state all provide good bird-watching opportunities. Some sites along Michigan’s Great Lakes shoreline are even...
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...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change Doris Winters SCI/256 September 7, 2015 University of Phoenix Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change Of all the wonders we have in these United States, I have chosen The Great Lakes as my topic to discuss the changes these wonderful bodies of water are currently experiencing. I have narrowed my view to Lake Michigan, as it is the largest of the lakes. From the EPA: On November 15, 1990, in response to mounting evidence that air pollution contributes to water pollution, Congress amended the Clean Air Act and included provisions that established research and reporting requirements related to the deposition of hazardous air pollutants to the "Great Waters." The water bodies designated by these provisions are the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Chesapeake Bay, and certain other coastal waters (identified by their designation as sites in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System or the National Estuary Program). (EPA, 2015) Lake Michigan currently functions with the dynamic, being it has exceptional fishing, irrigation and provides clean drinking water to the communities surrouding the lake. Its structural dynamic as an ecosystem currently offers for research and developmet all human threats. An example is the introduction of invasive species, such as zebra mussels and those HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms), that expand because of the nutrients in certain fertalizers. The scientific community is also doing research yearly,...
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...Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change SCI/256 October 30, 2013 Edward Chargualaf Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change In San Diego, California there is a beach area known as “The Jewel” or La Jolla. The children’s pool, La Jolla shores, and La Jolla cove make up this mile long crescent of a prime sandy beach. The children’s pool is a small cove protected by a concrete wall originally built to make a safe swimming area for children. Now the area has turned into a place for seals and sea lions to beach themselves and their babies. La Jolla shores is a place for beachgoers of all interests. You will find this as a busy swimming and surfing area. During the day it is used as a launching pad for scuba diving and kayaking. At night it’s alive with the glowing of beach fires and socializing of people. Last is La Jolla cove, where cliffs have formed a small deep water bay. Here you can enjoy activities like kayaking through caves and snorkeling seeing the marine life, like Garibaldi fish. Many types of marine life can be found in the La Jolla shores water. On the floors of this ecosystem you can find crustaceans, mollusks, and invertebrates. While snorkeling you can find animals such as fish, rays, and sharks. Green sea turtles are one reptile that calls La Jolla shores home. The most common land animals are birds. Between La Jolla Shores and La Jolla cove is the San Diego-La Jolla underwater park, a marine life preservation and aquatic recreation zone with...
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...University of Phoenix Material Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Change Select and complete one of the following assignments: Option 1: Ecosystem Components Paper Option 2: Ecosystem Components Video and Summary Option 1: Ecosystem Components Paper Select a representative natural ecosystem in your area or one that you are interested in—such as a lake, preserve, or park—that is managed for native species. • Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper explaining the following: o The major structural and functional dynamics (processes) of that ecosystem including change over time o How humans may have affected biogeochemical cycles in that ecosystem, including impacts to the nitrogen, phosphorus, or carbon cycle o How knowledge about that ecosystem’s structure and function can help or has helped to develop plans for its management and restoration o The implication of species interactions in ecosystem management and restoration • Include two outside references. • Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Option 2: Ecosystem Components Video and Summary Select a representative natural ecosystem in your area or one that you are interested in—such as a lake, preserve, or park—that is managed for native species. • Shoot a 7- to 10-minute video chronicling the following: o The major structural and functional dynamics (processes) of that ecosystem including change over time o How humans may...
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...Biodiversity Biodiversity is important in ecosystems because every life form works together in order for them to function. When these ecosystems are disrupted or altered, or even lacks biodiversity, it poses major threats to all the life forms in it, whether it happens quickly or over a long period of time. When we lack biodiversity, our ecosystems become unstable, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to disasters and they cannot contribute to our well being. Although policy makers may be faced with challenges, many considerations need to be taken into account to preserve biodiversity and to protect these areas so that these ecosystems can function properly and prosper. When we hear the word ‘biodiversity’, it pretty much explains itself. It is the amount of variation of life forms within a given biome, ecosystem, species, or even the entire plant. Many considerations need to be taken into account to preserve biodiversity and to protect these areas so that these ecosystems can function properly and prosper. With respect to the ecosystem and biodiversity, we need to remember that once our natural resources run out and when most ecosystems are destroyed, it is very hard to restore it to what it was. We need to consider our well being, as well as all the other organisms that we share the earth with. We use biodiversity all the time, whether it is direct or indirect. In order for us to live happy and healthy, we need a healthy ecosystem and it is our job to preserve it as much...
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...focus on the description of species diversity. Species play essential roles in ecosystems, so local and global species losses could threaten the stability of the ecosystem services on which humans depend (McCann 2000). For example, plant species harness the energy of the sun to fix carbon through photosynthesis, and this essential biological process provides the base of the food chain for myriad animal consumers. At the ecosystem level, the total growth of all plant species is termed primary production, and — as we'll see in this article — communities composed of different numbers and combinations of plant species can have very different rates of primary production. This fundamental metric of ecosystem function has relevance for global food supply and for rates of climate change because primary production reflects the rate at which carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) is removed from the atmosphere. There is currently great concern about the stability of both natural and human-managed ecosystems, particularly given the myriad global changes already occurring. Stability can be defined in several ways, but the most intuitive definition of a stable system is one having low variability (i.e., little deviation from its average state) despite shifting environmental conditions. This is often termed the resistance of a system. Resilience is a somewhat different aspect of stability indicating the ability of an ecosystem to return to its original state following a disturbance or other perturbation...
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...An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment (things like air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system.[2] These components are regarded as linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows.[3] As ecosystems are defined by the network of interactions among organisms, and between organisms and their environment,[4] they can come in any size but usually encompass specific, limited spaces[5] (although some scientists say that the entire planet is an ecosystem).[6] History and development Arthur Tansley, a British ecologist, was the first person to use the term "ecosystem" in a published work.[fn 1][10] Tansley devised the concept to draw attention to the importance of transfers of materials between organisms and their environment.[11] He later refined the term, describing it as "The whole system, ... including not only the organism-complex, but also the whole complex of physical factors forming what we call the environment".[12] Tansley regarded ecosystems not simply as natural units, but as mental isolates.[12] Tansley later[13] defined the spatial extent of ecosystems using the term ecotope. G. Evelyn Hutchinson, a pioneering limnologist who was a contemporary of Tansley's, combined Charles Elton's ideas about trophic ecology with those of Russian geochemist Vladimir Vernadsky to suggest that mineral nutrient availability in a lake limited algal production...
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...Biology – Module 1 – A Local Ecosystem The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic factors. Compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial environments. An aquatic environment is one that consists in water. The abiotic characteristics of an aquatic environment include: Buoyancy – This refers to the upward pressure (or thrust) that is applied on the organism by its medium. Buoyancy is determined by the density of the medium and determines the floating ability of an organism. Water provides sufficient buoyancy for many organisms, e.g., the jellyfish. If a jellyfish is taken out of water and placed on land it will disintegrate by spreading apart. Thus, the water provides enough buoyancy (pressure) in order to keep the shape of the jellyfish. Pressure – This is the downward force that is applied on an organism by its medium. In water, the pressure is dependent on the depth. Organisms that live at the bottom of the ocean experience the effects of extreme pressure and they must have specific adaptations that enable them to survive in such harsh environments. Temperature Variations – Usually in an aquatic environment there are minimal temperature variations to that compared with terrestrial environments. The temperature variations also depend on the size of the body of water; a large body of water will experience much less temperature variations than a smaller body...
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...composition of an ecosystem following a disturbance. Ecology The study of how organisms interact with their environments. Ecosystem All the organisms that live within a given area and all the abiotic features of their environment. Exponential growth A model of population growth in which a population grows at a rate proportional to its size. Life history strategy The position a population of organisms occupies on the continuum between producing a large number of “inexpensive” offspring and a small number of “expensive” offspring. Logistic growth A model of population growth in which growth slows as the population approaches the carrying capacity of its habitat. Niche The total set of biotic and abiotic resources a species uses within a community. Population A group of individuals of a single species that occupies a given area. Producer An organism that makes organic molecules from inorganic materials and energy. Symbiosis A situation in which individuals of two species live in close association with one another. Trophic level One of the feeding levels in a food chain, including producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers, and so forth. Review Questions 21.1 Organisms and Their Environment 1. What is ecology? 2. Does an organism’s environment include only nonliving components? yes 3. What is the difference between a community and an ecosystem? The difference between a community and an ecosystem is one (community)...
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...Ecosystem and Human Activity SIX KEY ASPECTS OF ECOSYSTEM BASED MANAGEMENT October 27, 2013 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Six Key Aspects of Ecosystem Based Management……………………………………3 Integration of ecological, social, and economic goals and recognition of humans as key components of the ecosystem………………………………………………………..............3 Consideration of Ecological Not Just Political- Boundaries………………………………5 Accounting for the Complexity of Natural Processes and Social Systems and Using an Adaptive Management Approach in the Face of Resulting Uncertainties………7 Engaging Multiple Stakeholders in a Collaborative Process to Define Problems and Find Solutions………………………………………………………..…………………….8 Incorporating Understanding of Ecosystem Processes and How Ecosystems Respond to Environmental Perturbations…………………………………………….....9 Concern with the Ecological Integrity of Coastal-marine Systems and the Sustainability of Both Human and Ecological Systems………………………………10 Conclusion ….12 References 13 Introduction Human activities on land and in the ocean are changing ecosystems and threatening their ability to provide important benefits to society, such as healthy and abundant sources of food, clean air, and fresh water. The argument that the ecosystem ought to be managed in whole ecological units based on integrative biological, physical and/or socio-economic assessments is not a new one. However the argument is gaining urgency as a result...
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...Indonesia as a country that is rich with biodiversity. Not only that, the existence of plant and animal in nature will balance the natural ecosystem. Aceh is one of the areas that supply the biodiversity for Indonesia, especially in Seulawah Mountain and Leuser ecosystem. Many environmental problems like human activity occur in those of areas such as deforestation, opening the forest land...
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