REN R440 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Eutrophication

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Renewable Resources
• Course: REN R440
• Professor: Nadir Erbilgin

Document Summary

Similarities between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: nutrient cycling, primary producers (phytoplankton, algae vs plants), made up of a variety of species with specific ecosystem functions, both can reach equilibrium, very few major changes. Differences: oxygen (limiting factor in aquatic), ph, different modes of generating energy, decomposition, light (limiting factor in aquatic), more temp fluctuations in terrestrial, gravity is lower in water, pressure throughout water. Aquatic habitats are dynamic and continually influenced by natural disturbance regimes. Disturbances have produced numerous types of habitats and promoted the evolution of high levels of aquatic biodiversity. Widespread disturbances with the full range of intensity and severity affect aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic habitats are all altered to some extent by human activities. Fast disappearance of coral reefs worldwide are strongly linked to human activity (fishing, changes in temp, increased co2 levels leading to acidification and bleaching) Volcanoes comprise the vast majority of submarine tectonic activity.