MSC 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Ecological Pyramid, Primary Production, Chemotroph

• School: University of Miami
• Department: Marine Science
• Course: MSC 111
• Professor: Peterson Larry

Document Summary

Energy obtained from the sun, nutrients from the ecosystem (soil) Obtain nutrients and energy by consuming dead autotrophs or consumers. Break down dead organic matter- returns nutrient to the ecosystem. Macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphate, sulfur, c, o, h. Energy stored in glucose and other organic material- released by respiration. 10% rule= successive trophic levels have 90% less biomass. Must consume many herbivores to sustain a carnivore. Limits the number of trophic levels possible in an ecosystem (usually 3-5) Trophic pyramid: show biomass in each level. Less production per unit area on avg. The ocean has approximately the same total primary productivity as land (45:55) because it covers a larger surface area. Fewer individuals/organisms in the higher trophic levels. Hydrogen and helium most abundant in the beginning. Li, be, b- rare because of poor synthesis after big bang. C : n : p = 106 : 16 : 1 in marine plankton.