This document discusses ecosystems and ecological concepts. It defines key terms like ecology, biotic and abiotic factors, populations, communities, and ecosystems. It explains that ecosystems vary in size and diversity, and includes dynamic processes like energy flow and chemical cycling. Ecosystems also change over time through ecological succession. Various biomes and aquatic ecosystems are described. The document also covers topics like primary production, trophic levels, ecological pyramids, and biogeochemical cycles of water, nitrogen, carbon, and other materials.

1. Interdependence of
Life:
Ecosystems
By Deanne Erdmann, MS
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2. Ecological Terminology
 Environment
 Ecology
 Biotic vs. Abiotic
 Population
 Community
 Ecosystem
 Biosphere
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3. Ecosystems
 All members of a community, along with
their physical and chemical environments
 Vary greatly in size
 Diversity promotes stability and
productivity
 Dynamic
 energy flow
 chemical cycling
 Change over time (succession)
Coral Reefs are a rich,
diverse and productive
ecosystems
A coastal wetland on
Lake Superior,
Wisconsin.
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4. Biomes
 Tropical Rainforests
 Savannas
 Deserts
 Temperate Grasslands
 Temperate Deciduous Forests
 Coniferous Forests
 Arctic Tundra
Grasslands in the Great
Sand Dunes National
Monument and Preserve
Prairie Creek Redwoods
Sate Park
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5. Aquatic Ecosystems
 Freshwater
 Flowing Water
 Lakes
 Wetlands
 Estuaries
 Oceans
 Intertidal or littoral
 Coastal or neritic
 Coral Reefs
 Open Ocean
 Benthic
Snake River with Grand
Tetons in background
Mountain Lake in
Grand Teton
National Park
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6. Zonation in Lakes
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7. Thermal Stratification in Lakes
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8. Zonation in a Marine Environment
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9. Primary Production
 The conversion of light energy
to chemical energy is called
“gross primary production.”
(photosynthesis)
 Plants use the energy captured
in photosynthesis for
maintenance and growth.
 The energy that is accumulated
in plant biomass is called “net
primary production.”
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10. Energy Flow in Ecosystems
 Producers (Autotrophs) and Consumers (Heterotrophs)
 Trophic Levels
 Ecological Pyramids of Energy
 Ecological Pyramids of Biomass
 Ecological Pyramids of Numbers
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11. Ecological Pyramids of Energy
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12. Ecological Pyramids of Biomass
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13. Biogeochemical Cycles
 Cycling of materials between the
environment and organisms
 Chemical and biological processes
 Examples
 Water cycle
 Nitrogen cycle
 Phosphorus cycle
 Carbon cycle
Plants obtain nitrogen
from nitrogen-fixing
bacteria and pass it to
other organisms through
the food chain
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14. Water Cycle
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15. Nitrogen Cycle
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16. Carbon Cycle
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17. Biogeochemical Cycle Activity
 Pass out untitled diagrams of the water cycle, nitrogen
cycle, and carbon cycle.
 Have students title each cycle and explain why they
chose these titles.
 Provide a list of labeling terms and have students create
labels for each stage or process on all three diagrams.
 Applications/suggestions
 Use as an introductory or post-discussion
assessment.
 Laminate group sets and use erasable markers to
save paper and prep time.
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