7/30/2019 The Three Elements of Biosphere

1/4

Enviromental

Science

Prelim Exam

Submitted by:

Richard J. CanapiBSHRM II

Submitted to:

Dr. Carmelita AbbangInstructor

7/30/2019 The Three Elements of Biosphere

2/4

The Three Elements of Biosphere

The lithosphere is the rigid outermost shell of a rocky planet. On Earth, it comprises the crust andthe portion of the upper mantle that behaves elastically on time scales of thousands of years orgreater.

The hydrosphere in physical geography describes the combined mass of water found on, under, andover the surface of a planet.

An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that isheld in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if thegravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low. Some planets consist mainly of variousgases, but only their outer layer is their atmosphere.

The Four Laws of EcologyFormulated by physicist and ecologist, Barry Commoner.

1) Everything is connected to everything else - humans and other species are connected/dependanton a number of other species.

2) Everything must go somewhere - no matter what you do, and no matter what you use, it has togo somewhere. For example, when you burn wood, it doesn't disappear, it turns into smoke whichrises into the air, and ash, which falls back down to the earth.

3) Nature knows best - Like it says, nature knows best. As much as you think it might help a place byrepainting it, you are submitting the fumes into the air and into your lungs. Why not put siding on it?

4) There is no such thing as a free lunch - Everything you do, must have a reson behind it. Forexample, a class pizza party. In order to win the party, you have to fill out a survey, and submit itback to your teacher. This law basically means you have to do something in order to get somethingin return.

Different Components of our Ecosystem1. Abiotic Components

Abiotic components are such physical and chemical factors of an ecosystem as light, temperature,atmosphere gases(nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide are the most important), water, wind, soil.These specific abiotic factors represent the geological, geographical, hydrological and climatologicalfeatures of a particular ecosystem. Separately:

Water, which is at the same time an essential element to life and a milieu

7/30/2019 The Three Elements of Biosphere

3/4

Air, which provides oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide to living species and allows thedissemination of pollen and sporesSoil, at the same time source of nutriment and physical support. The salinity, nitrogen andphosphorus content, ability to retain water, and density are all influential.Temperature, which should not exceed certain extremes, even if tolerance to heat is significant for

some speciesLight, which provides energy to the ecosystem through photosynthesisNatural disasters can also be considered abiotic. According to the intermediate disturbancehypothesis, a moderate amount of disturbance does good to increase the biodiversity.

2. Biotic Components

The living organisms are the biotic components of an ecosystem. In ecosystems, living things areclassified after the way they get their food.

Biotic Components include the following --

Autotrophs produce their own organic nutrients for themselves and other members of thecommunity; therefore, they are called the producers. There are basically two kinds of autotrophs,"chemoautotrophs and photoautogrophs. "

Chemautotrophs are bacteria that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic compounds such asammonia, nitrites, and sulfides , and they use this energy to synthesize carbohydrates.

Photoautotrophs are photosynthesizers such as algae and green plants that produce most of theorganic nutrients for the biosphere.

Heterotrophs, as consumers that are unable to produce, are constantly looking for source of organicnutrients from elsewhere. Herbivores like giraffe are animals that graze directly on plants or algae.Carnivores as wolf feed on other animals; birds that feed on insects are carnivores, and so are hawksthat feed on birds. Omnivores are animals that feed both on plants and animals, as human.

Detritivores - organisms that rely on detritus, the decomposing particles of organic matter, for food.Earthworms and some beetles, termites, and maggots are all terrestrial detritivores.

Nonphotosynthetic bacteria and fungi, including mushrooms, are decomposers that carry outdecomposition, the breakdown of dead organic matter, including animal waste. Decomposersperform a very valuable service by releasing inorganic substances that are taken up by plants oncemore

7/30/2019 The Three Elements of Biosphere

4/4

Types of ecological interactions

1. Competition two species share a requirement for a limited resource reduces fitness of oneor both species Ex. Forest and rat

2. Predation one species feeds on another enhances fitness of predator but reduces fitnessof prey. Ex. Polar Bear and fish

3. Parasitism one species feeds on another enhances fitness of parasite but reduces fitnessof host. Ex. Ant and Coackroch

4. Mutualism two species provide resources or services to each other enhances fitness of both species. Ex Beez and flowers

5. Commensalism one species receives a benefit from another species enhances fitness of one species; no effect on fitness of the other species. Ex. Stingray and shark

6. Symbiosis two species live together can include parasitism, mutualism, andcommensalism Ex. Jellyfish and The Corals