LIFESCI 2H03 Lecture 19: LifeSci2H03 - Terrestrial Ecosystems.pdf
Document Summary
Cycling of elements sustains the function of the biosphere. Biosphere plays an important role in nutrient cycling. Response of biosphere to the physical climate system. Distribution of temperature and precipitation determine, in a particular region: total amount of organic matter (biomass) Associated organisms less than <25cm are desert. Vegetation matches the shifts in the amount of moisture present. Most common vegetation alpine tundra, woodland and grassland. Photosynthesis cycling transpiration: plants lose water to the atmosphere carbon loss: by oxidation and decomposition. Ability to fix carbon dioxide using sunlight energy and to create biomass. Nutrients captured from the soil and incorporated in the biomass. Disturbance of photosynthesis leads to disturbance in nutrient cycle. Used for growth and cell respiration, oxygen by-product. Succession communities are in a constant state of disturbance. Always adapting to changing conditions leads to changes in type and distribution of plants can happen on short time scales or longer time scales.