RNR 1001 Chapter : Ecosystem Characteristics
Document Summary
One or more communities living within habitats that are functionally related to each other is called an ecosystem. Ecosystems must have the following characteristics: strong ecological links, ex. A small pond is not totally disconnected from the surrounding terrestrial system, but there are stronger links between the species in the pond: in a small stream riparian links are important. Photosynthesis rates: is able to return to average conditions after some perturbations (as long as they aren"t too extreme, characteristic trophic (food) structure, are functionally grouped, not taxonomically-based, bottom of pyramid is primary producers (autotrophs ex. Insects, buzzards, don"t chase down their prey) and saprovores (decompose organic material to release nutrients into ecosystem ex. Nitrogen: most exists in nature as a gas, but most organisms cannot process it. Nitrifying bacteria turn that into nitrate, which is actually usable by plants (fertilizer) Denitrifying bacteria can turn that back into.
