HomeEnvironmental Conservation
GEO 260, Spring 2006
Ecosystems: Energy and Matter
Flows

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Reading to be done before Class: Read CES pp. 13-18
Come to class with a basic familiarity with the following concepts and ideas: Photosynthesis, primary production, primary producers (autotrophs), consumers (hterotrophs), trophic levels, herbivores, carnivores, top predators, food chain, food web, ecomposition, detritus. Biogeochemical cycles, carbon and oxygen cycles, aerobic respiration.

Energy Flows in Ecosystems

Food chains

  • Primary Producers (Autotrophs)
    • Photosynthesis
  • Consumers (Heterotrophs)
    • Respiration

Trophic Levels and the Biotic Pyramid

  • Primary Producers
  • Herbivores
  • Carnivores
  • Omnivores
  • Top Predators
  • Decomposition (Detritivores)

 

Flows of Matter in Ecosystems (Biogeochemical Cycles)

  • Oxygen Cycle
  • Carbon Cycle
  • (and others that we'll talk about later!)
  • C02 Balance

 

 
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