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Sustainable Ecosystems, Sustainable Ecosystems Mindmap, recycling-2,…

- - - - Food Chain
        
        DEFINITION: Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by consuming other organisms
        All types are a type of heterotroph. All consumers are heterotrophs.
        
        Heterotrophs
        
        DEFINITION: Consumers are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain energy by eating other organisms. They rely on producers or other consumers for their energy and nutrient needs.
        CONNECTION: Consumers make up and occupy various parts of the food chain.
        
        Consumers
        
        DEFINITION: A secondary consumer is an organism that feeds on primary consumers (herbivores) to obtain energy and nutrients.
        
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        DEFINITION: A tertiary consumer is an organism that feeds on secondary consumers (carnivores or omnivores) to obtain energy and nutrients.
        
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        DEFINITION: A primary consumer is an organism that feeds on producers (plants and algae) to obtain energy and nutrients.
        
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        DEFINITION: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead or decaying organisms, and in doing so, they carry out the natural process of decomposition.
        CONNECTION: Decomposers convert dead and waste materials into energy that they use to grow and reproduce, which plays a role in recycling energy through the ecosystem's food chain.
        
        Decomposers
        
        Bacteria
        
        Worms
        
        Fungi
        
        DEFINITION: Autotrophs are organisms that produce their own food using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and other substances through the process of photosynthesis.
        CONNECTION: Autotrophs form the base of the food chain as primary producers. They convert solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, which is then used by other organisms in the food chain.
        
        Autotrophs
        
        DEFINITION: Producers are organisms that generate their own food through the process of photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.
        CONNECTION: Producers are a type of autotroph. All producers are autotrophs.
        
        Producer
        
        Trees
        
        Algae
        
        Grass
    - - Photosynthesis
    - - Cellular Respiration
    - - Trophic Levels
        
        DEFINITION: The second trophic level consists of primary consumers, which are herbivores that eat producers (plants and algae) to obtain energy.
        
        Second Trophic Level (Primary Consumers)
        
        These organisms are the first to feed on or consume another organism.
        
        Grasshopper
        
        Cricket
        
        Snail
        
        DEFINITION: The third trophic level consists of secondary consumers, which are carnivores and omnivores that eat primary consumers (herbivores).
        
        Third Trophic Level (Secondary Consumers)
        
        These organisms feed on primary consumers.
        
        Crane
        
        Heron
        
        Rat
        
        Mouse
        
        Fish
        
        DEFINITION: The fourth trophic level consists of tertiary consumers, which are top predators that eat secondary consumers (carnivores and omnivores).
        
        Fourth Trophic Level (Tertiary Consumers)
        
        These organisms feed on secondary consumers.
        
        Heron
        
        Snake
        
        Crane
        
        DEFINITION: The first trophic level consists of producers, which are organisms that make their own food through the process of photosynthesis.
        
        First Trophic Level (Producers)
        
        These organisms use photosynthesis to create or produce their own food.
        
        Flowers
        
        Seaweed
    - - Trophic Efficiency
- - - - DEFINITION: Cars, are used by humans and release emissions into the air, helping people get from point A to point B.
        CONNECTION: Cars are a significant source of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming and climate change. The more emissions that are in the air, the more potential there is for harm towards our ecosystems and animal populations.
        
        Using cars
        
        Car emissions include carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. This warming alters ecosystems by shifting weather patterns, changing plant blooming times, and forcing wildlife to migrate to cooler areas, which can disrupt the natural balance of these ecosystems.
      - DEFINITION: Overfishing is basically the process of catching fish from bodies of water that goes beyond the ability of fish to replenish naturally.
        CONNECTION: Overfishing leads to the decrease of the number of fishes in marine ecosystems. This decline threatens the long-term existence of fish species. This will have a negative impact because it decreases the overall amount of biodiversity and disrupts the ecosystems.
        
        Overfishing
        
        Overfishing can lead to the extinction of fish species, which play vital roles in marine ecosystems. For example, the collapse of the cod fishery in the North Atlantic which ultimately impacted the marine food web and marine ecosystems in a large way.
        
        Removing large numbers of a particular species can upset the balance of the food web. For instance, overfishing large predator fish like sharks has led to an increase in the population of smaller marine creatures, which then affect the populations of other species they prey on.
      - DEFINITION: An overuse of chemicals is simply when chemicals are used inappropriately or not in proper ways, and are used too much.
        CONNECTION: This is important because humans are the group actually overusing chemicals, and it relates back to sustainable ecosystems because of course as we use things like pesticides it will have a negative impact on various animal populations.
        
        Overuse of chemicals
        
        The overuse of chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers can lead to soil and water pollution, disrupting natural nutrient cycles and harming wildlife.
      - DEFINITION: Deforestation is basically the process of cutting down trees or other forested areas in large amounts.
        CONNECTION: This is important for sustainable ecosystems because many animals, plants and other forms of biodiversity rely heavily on these areas for their habitat. Human are the group that are actually making the decision to cut down trees in mass amounts, often because they are putting profits ahead of the health of our ecosystems and animals populations.
        
        Deforestation
        
        Deforestation disrupts ecosystems by reducing biodiversity, as plants and animals lose their habitats, potentially leading to species extinction. It also increases carbon dioxide levels by removing trees that absorb CO2, contributing to global warming and climate change.
      - DEFINITION: Global warming is essentially the long-term increase in Earth's average temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels and deforestation. CONNECTION: Global warming is linked to human activities like burning oil, gas, and coal for energy, and cutting down forests, which increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These changes cause climates to shift, disrupting ecosystems by affecting where and how plants and animals can live, leading to fewer species and damaged natural environments.
        
        Global Warming
        
        Global warming disrupts ecosystems by altering weather patterns and temperatures, which can impact habitats, and lead to the loss of biodiversity.
- - - - Carbon Cycle
        
        How is it related to Earth's spheres?
        
        Biosphere: Carbon is a major component of biomass, including living cells and tissues of organisms.
        
        Hydrosphere: Carbon compounds can dissolve in water, and carbon exists in aquatic biomass.
        
        Lithosphere: Carbon is part of fossil fuels.
        
        Human Actions: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, overhunting, poor waste management, over-tilling soil.
        
        Atmosphere: Carbon mainly exists as carbon dioxide gas.
        
        Stages of the carbon cycle!
        
        Photosynthesis
        
        Consumption
        
        Respiration
        
        Death (and decomposition)
        
        Sedimentation/Compression
        
        Extraction/Combustion
        
        Carbon Dioxide dissolved in water
    - - Nitrogen Cycle
        
        How is it related to Earth's spheres?
        
        Biosphere: Nitrogen is used by all living things, mainly in proteins and nucleic acids.
        
        Hydrosphere: Nitrogen can be found as dissolved gases like ammonia and nitrates.
        
        Lithosphere: Nitrogen in the soil is crucial for plant nutrition.
        
        Human Actions: Use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage discharge, agricultural runoff.
        
        Atmosphere: Nitrogen exists primarily as nitrogen gas (N2).
        
        Stages of the nitrogen cycle!
        
        Nitrogen Fixation
        
        Nitrifcation
        
        Assimilation
        
        Consumption
        
        Excretion and Decomposition
        
        Ammonification
        
        Denitrification
        
        Runoff and Leaching
        
        Sedimentation
    - - Phosphorus Cycle
        
        How is it related to Earth's spheres?
        
        Biosphere: Phosphorus is vital for DNA, in all living organisms.
        
        Hydrosphere: Phosphorus is present in aquatic systems mostly with sediments.
        
        Lithosphere: Phosphorus is primarily taken from rock weathering.
        
        Human Actions: Overuse of phosphate fertilizers, runoff from animal feed operations.
        
        Atmosphere: Typically, phosphorus is not a major component of the atmosphere but can be found in dust particles.
        
        Stages of the phosphorus cycle!
        
        Weathering of rocks
        
        Absorption by plants
        
        Consumption
        
        Decomposition and Excretion
        
        Sedimentation
        
        Geological Uplift
        
        Human Impact
  - - - Climate change and global warming can be directly linked to disruptions in the Carbon Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle through increased greenhouse gas emissions.
- - - - Biotic Characteristics
        
        DEFINITION: Parasitism is a type of biotic relationship where one species (the parasite) lives on or in another species (the host), causing harm to the host.
        CONNECTION: Parasitism is related to biotic characteristics because it involves interactions between living organisms. In ecosystems, parasitism affects the health and populations of host species, impacting the overall sustainability of the ecosystem.
        
        Parasitism
        
        DEFINITION: Competition is a biotic interaction where different species or individuals within the same species hunt for the same resources, such as food, mates, or habitat.
        CONNECTION: Competition is a fundamental biotic characteristic that influences the structure and dynamics of ecosystems. When species compete for resources, it can affect population sizes, distribution, and the survival of the species involved.
        
        Competition
        
        DEFINITION: Commensalism is an interaction between two species where one species benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.
        CONNECTION: Commensalism is related to biotic characteristics because it involves interactions between living organisms. In ecosystems, these interactions contribute to helping in sustaining the ecosystem's structure and function.
        
        Commensalism
        
        DEFINITION: Plants are living organisms that typically produce their own food through photosynthesis.
        CONNECTION: All plants are themselves biotic elements and they all require the support of ecosystems in order to thrive and survive.
        
        Plants
        
        Grasses
        
        Ferns
        
        Flowering Plants (e.g., lilies, daisies)
        
        Trees (e.g., oaks, pines)
        
        Seaweed
        
        Algae
        
        Cacti
        
        Shrubs
        
        Vines
        
        Aquatic Plants (e.g., water lilies, bullrushes)
        
        DEFINITION: Animals are living organisms that are capable of movement and consume organic material for energy.
        CONNECTION: Ecosystems are crucial to all biotic elements but particularly animals, because they provide resources such as food, water, shelter, and space, helping animals to survive, and even reproduce.
        
        Animals
        
        Wolves
        
        Bees
        
        Deers
        
        Eagles
        
        Sharks
        
        Frogs
        
        DEFINITION: Microorganisms play essential roles in ecosystems by decomposing dead matter, recycling nutrients, and supporting other forms of life.
        CONNECTION: Microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, break down dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients back into the soil, which helps plants grow. They also form helpful partnerships with other organisms, like fungi with tree roots, making ecosystems healthier and more sustainable.
        
        Microorganisms
        
        Bacteria
        
        Fungi
        
        Protists
        
        Algae
        
        Zooplankton
        
        Moss
        
        Lichton
        
        DEFINITION: Mutualism is an interaction between two species that benefits both parties.
        CONNECTION: As I mentioned in the definition, mutualism is a type of biotic relationship, where basically two species benefit from each other, improving their survival and reproductive success. This relationship contributes to the health and stability of ecosystems by contributing towards biodiversity and helping with the nutrient cycle and energy flow.
        
        Mutualism
        
        DEFINITION: Predation is a biotic relationship where one species hunts and kills another for food.
        CONNECTION: This is important because while one species can continue to thrive because of this, another species is likely being harmed. If we're thinking about ecosystems, obviously mutualism or commensalism are best because it doesn't involve another species being killed. Any type one animal or living organism is killed, we must acknowledge, that in everyday it has a negative impact on the ecosystem.
        
        Predation
    - - Abiotic Characteristics
        
        DEFINITION: Again the definition for this one is fairly obvious but, oxygen is a colourless, odourless gas that is important for the respiration of most living organisms.
        CONNECTION: All living organisms require oxygen to breathe, thus making it crucial for all ecosystems. Oxygen can help our ecosystems be sustainable.
        
        Oxygen
        
        DEFINITION: Nutrients are essential chemicals that organisms need to grow, reproduce, and carry out life processes.
        CONNECTION: Nutrients relate to abiotic characteristics as they are non-living chemical elements and compounds found in soil, water, and air that are vital for the growth and health of living organisms within ecosystems.
        
        Nutrients
        
        DEFINITION: Soil is the top layer of the Earth's surface composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air.
        CONNECTION: Good soil is crucial for healthy ecosystems because it supplies essential nutrients for plants, supports a diverse community of microorganisms that help decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients, and ensures proper water retention and drainage.
        
        Soil
        
        DEFINITION: Wind is the movement of air from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the atmosphere.
        CONNECTION: Wind is an abiotic factor in ecosystems as it influences temperature, humidity, and the dispersal of seeds and pollen, affecting plant growth and the distribution of organisms.
        
        Wind
        
        DEFINITION: pH level is a measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a substance is, on a scale ranging from 0 to 14. As was taught at the Ganaraska Forest Centre, a pH level of 7 is considered neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidity, and values above 7 indicate alkalinity.
        CONNECTION: pH levels are crucial in ecosystems as they affect the availability of nutrients, and the overall health of organisms.
        
        pH Levels
        
        DEFINITION: Water is a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for all known forms of life, making up a significant portion of the bodies of living organisms
        CONNECTION: It goes without saying actually that water is very important in many ways in our ecosystems. Water is important to ecosystems because it is essential for the survival of all living organisms, but also because it supports various processes such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration
        
        Water
    - - Terrestrial Ecosystem
        
        DEFINITION: No influence by the human population.
        
        Natural
        
        Desert
        
        Tundra
        
        Mountain
        
        Root system
        
        Forest
        
        DEFINITION: Developed and made by people!
        
        Artificial
        
        Garden
    - - Aquatic Ecosystem
        
        DEFINITION: No influence by people.
        
        Natural
        
        Lake
        
        Pond water
        
        Ocean
        
        DEFINITION: People made ecosystems
        
        Artificial
        
        Pond (like the one by the JS playground)
        
        Fish tank
- - - - DEFINITION: A keystone species is a type of animal or plant that plays a crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions. Essentially, it is a type of species, that other species themselves rely on.
        CONNECTION: This is important, because it can have a ladder effect. For example, sea otters are a keystone species because they help control sea urchin populations, which in turn helps kelp forests thrive. If there weren't sea otters in the kelp forests, then the sea urchin population wouldn't be as controlled which could disrupt certain components of the ecosystem, thus meaning without the concept of keystone species, it would be harder to achieve sustainability.
        
        Keystone Species
        
        Sea otters
        
        Beavers
        
        Wolves
        
        Elephants
        
        Starfish
        
        Sharks
        
        Bats
        
        Hummingbirds
      - DEFINITION: Indicator species are animals or plants that scientists use to measure the health of an environment or ecosystem (essentially how sustainable the ecosystem is, or how much support it needs).
        CONNECTION: If these species are doing well, it usually means the ecosystem is healthy. But if these species start to struggle or their numbers decrease, it could be a sign that something's wrong with the environment, like pollution or habitat loss. For example, frogs are often used as indicator species because they are sensitive to changes in their environments. This all ties back to sustainability, because scientists need to use all resources they can to measure sustainability, and really there is no better way to check how healthy it is then to rely on the species and animals themselves.
        
        Indicator Species
        
        Frogs
        
        Toads
        
        Salmon
        
        Coral
        
        Stoneflies
        
        Honeybees
        
        Bald eagles
        
        Butterflies
      - DEFINITION: An invasive species is a non-native (usually meaning from outside of Canada) organism that spreads often very rapidly that can cause harm to other organisms.
        CONNECTION: This is hugely important, because invasive species can disrupt the native organism that we as a country actually need. Most importantly though, invasive species are very disruptful to the ecosystem it's growing in, or living in. Invasive species often compete with native species for resources such as food, space, and water,
        
        Invasive Species
        
        Burmese Python
        
        Zebra Mussel
        
        Asian Carp
        
        Kudzu
        
        Cane Toad
        
        European Rabbit
    - - Food Web