2.4 Ecosystems and Biodiversity
5 min read•july 30, 2024
Earth's biosphere teems with life, from microscopic organisms to towering trees. Ecosystems, the building blocks of this living world, are intricate networks where living things interact with their environment. They're diverse, ranging from tiny tide pools to vast rainforests.
Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is crucial for healthy ecosystems. It includes within species, the range of species in an area, and the diversity of ecosystems themselves. Biodiversity supports essential services like food production, climate regulation, and water purification.
Ecosystems and their components
Components of an ecosystem
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- An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment
- Ecosystems can vary in size, from small microhabitats (tide pools, rotting logs) to large biomes (tropical rainforests, )
- Ecosystems are interconnected through the movement of energy and matter (, migration of species)
- Biotic factors are the living components of an ecosystem
- Examples include plants (producers), animals (consumers), and microorganisms (decomposers)
- Biotic factors interact with each other through various relationships (, competition, symbiosis)
- Abiotic factors are the non-living components of an ecosystem
- Examples include temperature, light, water, soil, and nutrients
- Abiotic factors influence the distribution, abundance, and adaptations of living organisms
Processes in ecosystems
- Energy flow is the transfer of energy from one trophic level to another
- Energy enters ecosystems through primary producers () and moves up the food chain
- Energy is lost at each trophic level due to heat, respiration, and incomplete consumption
- Nutrient cycling is the continuous movement of essential elements through an ecosystem
- Major nutrient cycles include the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles
- Nutrients are recycled through the actions of decomposers, which break down dead organic matter
- Nutrient availability influences the productivity and structure of ecosystems
Biodiversity and ecosystem function
Levels of biodiversity
- Genetic diversity is the variation in genes within a species
- Allows for adaptation to changing environments and resilience to diseases
- Maintains the evolutionary potential of species
- Species diversity is the number and relative abundance of different species within an ecosystem
- Contributes to the stability and productivity of ecosystems
- Provides a variety of ecological roles and functions
- Ecosystem diversity encompasses the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within a given area
- Includes the interactions between biotic and abiotic components
- Provides a range of (carbon sequestration, water purification, climate regulation)
Importance of biodiversity
- Biodiversity enhances ecosystem functioning
- Increases productivity through niche complementarity and resource partitioning
- Improves resource use efficiency and nutrient cycling
- Enhances resilience to disturbances and environmental changes (climate change, )
- Biodiversity contributes to the provision of essential ecosystem services
- Supports food production through pollination, pest control, and soil fertility
- Regulates climate through carbon sequestration and evapotranspiration
- Purifies water and air through filtration and detoxification processes
- Provides recreational, cultural, and aesthetic values for human well-being
Terrestrial and aquatic biomes
Terrestrial biomes
- Tundra: cold, dry, and treeless with low-growing vegetation (mosses, lichens, sedges)
- (boreal forest): subarctic biome dominated by coniferous trees (spruce, fir, pine)
- : mild climate with distinct seasons, dominated by deciduous trees (oak, maple, beech)
- : characterized by grasses and herbaceous plants, with few trees (prairies, steppes, savannas)
- Deserts: dry biome with scarce vegetation adapted to water scarcity (cacti, succulent plants)
- Tropical rainforests: warm, humid, and species-rich biome with tall, broadleaf evergreen trees
Aquatic biomes
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- (still water): lakes, ponds, and wetlands
- (flowing water): rivers, streams, and springs
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- Coastal ecosystems: estuaries, coral reefs, and kelp forests
- Open ocean ecosystems: pelagic (water column) and benthic (seafloor) zones
- Abiotic factors (temperature, salinity, light penetration) influence the distribution and adaptations of aquatic organisms
- Aquatic organisms exhibit adaptations for locomotion, buoyancy, and gas exchange in water
- Marine organisms are adapted to varying salinity levels (osmoregulation)
Threats to biodiversity vs conservation strategies
Threats to biodiversity
- and fragmentation
- Land-use change, deforestation, and urbanization reduce available space and resources for species
- Fragmentation isolates populations and disrupts dispersal and gene flow
- Overexploitation of natural resources
- Overfishing, poaching, and unsustainable harvesting lead to population declines and extinctions
- Examples include the ivory trade, shark finning, and illegal logging
- Invasive species
- Non-native species introduced to new ecosystems can outcompete native species and alter ecosystem functioning
- Examples include the brown tree snake in Guam and the zebra mussel in North American lakes
- Climate change
- Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions cause shifts in species distributions, phenology, and biotic interactions
- Climate change can lead to habitat loss, species range shifts, and increased risk of extinctions
- Pollution
- Air, water, and soil contamination have detrimental effects on the health and survival of organisms
- Examples include oil spills, plastic pollution in oceans, and pesticide runoff
Conservation strategies
- Protected areas
- Establishing national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine protected areas to safeguard critical habitats and species
- Examples include the Yellowstone National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Ecosystem-based management
- Balancing human activities with the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Incorporating ecological principles into land-use planning, fisheries management, and forestry practices
- Sustainable resource management
- Implementing practices that minimize the impact of human activities on biodiversity
- Examples include sustainable forestry (selective logging), fisheries (catch limits), and agriculture (crop rotation, integrated pest management)
- Restoration ecology
- Rehabilitating degraded ecosystems and reintroducing native species to promote biodiversity recovery
- Examples include wetland restoration, reforestation, and coral reef restoration projects
- Environmental education and public awareness
- Fostering a sense of stewardship and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors
- Raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the impacts of human activities
- Engaging communities in conservation efforts and decision-making processes
Key Terms to Review (26)
Biodiversity Index: The biodiversity index is a quantitative measure that reflects the variety of species in a given ecosystem and their relative abundance. This index is crucial for assessing the health of ecosystems and understanding the impacts of environmental changes, habitat loss, and human activities on biodiversity. By providing insights into species diversity and richness, it helps in conservation efforts and monitoring ecological balance.
Biome: A biome is a large geographical area characterized by distinct climate conditions, plants, animals, and ecosystems. These ecosystems are shaped by various environmental factors like temperature, rainfall, and soil type, which in turn influence the biodiversity found within each biome. Understanding biomes is crucial for grasping the complexity of ecosystems and the interrelationships among different species and their habitats.
Carrying Capacity: Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size of a species that an environment can sustain indefinitely without degrading the ecosystem. It plays a vital role in understanding how species interact with their environment, influencing biodiversity, resource management, and human settlement patterns.
Desert ecosystem: A desert ecosystem is a unique ecological community characterized by arid conditions, limited water availability, and specialized plants and animals adapted to survive in extreme environments. These ecosystems are known for their high temperatures during the day, cooler nights, and minimal precipitation, resulting in distinct biodiversity and survival strategies among the organisms that inhabit them.
E.O. Wilson: E.O. Wilson was an American biologist, naturalist, and writer, known for his work on biodiversity, ecology, and the concept of sociobiology. His research emphasizes the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity in maintaining the health of our planet, highlighting how human activities impact natural environments and species survival.
Ecological Niche: An ecological niche refers to the role and position a species has in its environment, encompassing all the interactions it has with biotic and abiotic factors. This concept helps to understand how different species coexist, compete for resources, and contribute to the ecosystem's overall functioning. An ecological niche is often described in terms of what resources a species uses, how it interacts with other organisms, and the conditions it requires for survival and reproduction.
Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from natural ecosystems, which are vital for survival and well-being. These services include provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting functions that contribute to human life and economic activities. Understanding ecosystem services helps highlight the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems in maintaining environmental stability and supporting various conservation efforts.
Endangered species: An endangered species is a type of organism that is at risk of extinction due to various factors, including habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and pollution. These species play a crucial role in their ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and the overall health of the environment. The conservation of endangered species is essential to maintain ecological balance and preserve natural resources for future generations.
Freshwater Biomes: Freshwater biomes are aquatic ecosystems characterized by low salt concentration, typically found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. These ecosystems play a critical role in supporting biodiversity, providing habitats for countless species of plants and animals, and influencing local climate and hydrology.
Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It plays a crucial role in the resilience and adaptability of populations, allowing them to survive changes in their environment. The greater the genetic diversity, the better a population can withstand diseases, adapt to environmental shifts, and maintain overall ecosystem health.
Grasslands: Grasslands are vast ecosystems characterized by their dominance of grasses and few trees, typically found in regions with moderate rainfall. These biomes play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, providing habitats for various plant and animal species while also serving important ecological functions such as carbon storage and soil preservation.
Habitat loss: Habitat loss refers to the process by which natural habitats are rendered unable to support the species that live there, leading to a decline in biodiversity. This often occurs due to human activities such as urban development, agriculture, deforestation, and pollution, which not only reduce the area available for wildlife but also degrade the quality of existing habitats. As a significant factor driving species extinction, habitat loss profoundly impacts ecosystems and the intricate relationships within them.
Habitat restoration: Habitat restoration is the process of returning a damaged or degraded ecosystem to a stable, healthy, and functioning state. This practice is essential for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of various species, as it helps to repair the ecological balance within an environment. Through methods such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and soil rehabilitation, habitat restoration supports not only the recovery of flora and fauna but also enhances the resilience of ecosystems to environmental changes.
Invasive Species: Invasive species are non-native organisms that, when introduced to a new environment, cause harm to the local ecosystem, economy, or human health. These species often outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food webs, and alter habitats, leading to significant declines in biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Lentic ecosystems: Lentic ecosystems are freshwater environments characterized by still or slow-moving water, such as lakes, ponds, and wetlands. These ecosystems support diverse biological communities and play critical roles in the water cycle, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision for various species. The dynamic interplay between physical, chemical, and biological components in lentic systems contributes to their overall biodiversity and ecological health.
Lotic ecosystems: Lotic ecosystems refer to aquatic environments characterized by flowing water, such as rivers, streams, and creeks. These ecosystems are vital components of the Earth's biosphere, playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling, supporting diverse biological communities, and influencing regional hydrology and geology.
Marine biomes: Marine biomes are vast ecosystems found in the world's oceans, characterized by their salty water and diverse forms of life. These biomes include a variety of environments such as coral reefs, open ocean, coastal areas, and deep-sea habitats, each hosting unique communities of organisms adapted to specific conditions. The health and biodiversity of marine biomes play a crucial role in global ecosystems, influencing climate, weather patterns, and human livelihoods.
Mutualism: Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction. This positive interaction can enhance the survival, reproduction, or growth of each species, leading to increased biodiversity within ecosystems. Mutualism is crucial for maintaining ecological balance, influencing various interactions among organisms, and fostering species diversity in habitats.
Nutrient Cycling: Nutrient cycling is the process by which nutrients are transferred between living organisms and the physical environment, ensuring that essential elements are recycled and made available for use by different organisms. This process is vital for maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity, as it supports plant growth and sustains food webs by facilitating the flow of energy and matter through different trophic levels.
Photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. This fundamental biological process is essential for life on Earth, as it forms the base of the food chain and contributes significantly to the Earth's oxygen supply, supporting diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.
Predation: Predation is the biological interaction where one organism, the predator, hunts and consumes another organism, the prey. This relationship is crucial for maintaining ecological balance as it regulates populations of various species, promotes biodiversity, and influences the evolution of both predators and prey through natural selection.
Rachel Carson: Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist, author, and conservationist whose work is credited with advancing the global environmental movement. Her book 'Silent Spring' raised public awareness about the dangers of pesticides and their detrimental effects on ecosystems and biodiversity, establishing her as a key figure in environmental conservation and awareness of natural resource management.
Taiga: Taiga, also known as boreal forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruces, and larches. This biome plays a critical role in global ecosystems and biodiversity, serving as a significant carbon sink and influencing climate patterns. The taiga is home to various species and unique wildlife, making it essential for maintaining ecological balance and understanding human-environment interactions.
Temperate forests: Temperate forests are a type of biome characterized by moderate temperatures and distinct seasonal changes, featuring a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. These forests are rich in biodiversity, providing habitat for various species of plants and animals, and play a crucial role in carbon storage and climate regulation. They are often found in regions with adequate rainfall and can be categorized into temperate deciduous forests, temperate rainforests, and mixed forests.
Tropical rainforest: A tropical rainforest is a lush, dense forest characterized by high rainfall, warm temperatures, and a rich diversity of plant and animal life. These ecosystems are typically found near the equator and play a crucial role in global climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.
Tundra: Tundra is a cold, treeless biome characterized by its low temperatures, short growing seasons, and permafrost, which is permanently frozen subsoil. This unique environment is home to a variety of specially adapted plants and animals that thrive despite the harsh conditions. The tundra's ecosystem plays a critical role in global biodiversity, climate regulation, and serves as an indicator of climate change effects.