Ecosystem Ecology

1. ECOSYSTEM

4. The flow of energy and materials
through organisms and the physical
environment provides a framework for
understanding the diversity of form
and functioning of Earth’s Physical and
biological processes.

6. Temperature
Moisture
Light
pH
Soil quality
Salinity
Water current

7.  Low temperatures impose significant ecological
constraints by limiting the amount of time in which
physiological activity is possible.
Temperature

8.  High temperatures impose equally severe
ecological constraints on organisms.
 Many organisms are even adapted to
withstand the high temperatures of fires
Temperature

9. Salt concentrations can affect water uptake
- the concentrations of salts in the soil or in water is
important because higher concentrations increase
osmotic resistance to water uptake
- it can be of critical importance to agriculture
where continued watering in arid environments greatly
increases salt concentration and reduces crop yields
 halophytes – species that can tolerate salt
concentrations in their cell
Salt concentration

10. Acidity or alkalinity of the environment affects
plant and animal distribution
- most plant roots are damaged below pH of 3
or above pH of 9
The availability of mineral nutrients like
nitrogen and phosphorus is a significant limit
on primary productivity in many areas
pH

12. Low nutrient availability is often associated
with low soil temperatures and anaerobic soil
conditions
Nutrient availability

13. Light is an important limiting resource for plants
- it affects the timing of daily and seasonal
rhythms in plants and animals
- nocturnal animals use light as cue for activity
cycles
- breeding season of animals and plants are set
by the organism’s response to day length changes
Light

21. ECOSYSTEM
STRUCTURE
ECOSYSTEM
FUNCTION