Humans and Ecosystems

Ecosystem

What is it?

Classification

Abiotic

Biotic

Community of different species that interact

Ecos

Functional unit of sustainable life on earth

Classifying the planet's ecosystems has been difficult

even for the greatest ecologists in history.

However the most general classifications are

Terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, mixed ecosystems (water-land) and air-ground (air-land), Modified landscape artificial or non-natural ecosystems (created by humans).

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Living organisms that influence an ecosystem.

have behavioral and physiological characteristics

that allow survival and reproduction

fungi and microorganisms are also included.

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Lifeless chemical and physical components

affect dead organisms and ecosystem functioning

They are classified according to their nature, into physical (sunlight, temperature, atmospheric pressure, climate, relief).

and chemical (pH, soil chemistry, air chemistry and water chemistry).

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Human-dominated ecosystems

Characteristic

Advantage

Disadvantages

human-dominated ecosystems tend to be simpler

have fewer species and fewer community interactions

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The first animals to disappear

dependent on non-renewable energy

human ecosystems tend to remove nutrients.

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There is awareness of preserving natural communities

some farmers are turning to organic farming.

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Undominated ecosystems

Characteristic

Benefits

There is probably way to restore ecosystems

drastically reduce pollution

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Tend to store water and purify it

natural ecosystems recycle nutrients

many species and tend to remain stable

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What is it?

it is a 'virgin land' or a natural ecosystem

has never had
a human intervention

perfect for practicing scientific studies

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Habitat destruction

Definition

Natural habitat transformed into incapable habitat

plants and animals are forced to migrate

or to disappear

As a consequence there is a reduction in biodiversity.

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Causes

Agriculture is the main cause

mining, logging, overfishing and urban proliferation.

This includes habitat fragmentation, geological processes, climatic changes, invasive species, nutrient disturbances, and human activities.

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Effects

The carrying capacity of organisms is limited

This leads to a decline in populations

and even to extinction

The greatest risk facing species around the world is habitat loss

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Flow of energy and nutrients in ecosystems

What is energy flow?

What is the nutrient flow?

name given to the entire food chain

Use of primary and secondary products

All living things need energy,

they need it to drive life processes.

For example, it takes energy to grow. It also takes energy to create offspring. In fact, it takes energy just to stay alive.

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Thanks to the interactions between different species

the nutrients run out, they move,

and are reused thus fulfilling a cycle.

There are some nutrients of special importance, which are:

Water, Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Hydrogen.

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Trophic levels

matching sets of species in an ecosystem

occupy an equivalent place in the food chain

by the position or shift they occupy, in the flow of energy and nutrients,

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