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Earth Systems & Resources . Environmental Science. Environment Ecosystem biotic abiotic. Ecosystem Services. Clean water, timber, fisheries, agricultural crops Environmental indicators- Goal- sustainability
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Environmental Science • Environment • Ecosystem • biotic • abiotic
Ecosystem Services • Clean water, timber, fisheries, agricultural crops • Environmental indicators- • Goal- sustainability • Biodiversity- genetic; species; speciation; background extinction rate; ecosystem diversity • Food production- grains; influencing factors • Temperatures & atmospheric conditions- greenhouse gases; anthropogenic • Human population growth
Ecosystem Ecology • Boundaries; 2nd law of thermodynamics; feeding relationships • Respiration, photosynthesis • Trophic Levels
Productivity • GPP • NPP = GPP – respiration • Ecological efficiency – 5-20%
Ecosystem Disturbances • Disturbance • Resistance • Resilience • Restoration ecology
Ecosystem Value • Instrumental value- monetary value as instrument, tool, provisions (goods used directly); medicinal purpose • Intrinsic value • Regulating services • Support systems • Cultural services • Insurance- resilience
Global Processes • Weather vs. climate
Ocean Currents Figure 4.11 Figure 4.12 Rain shadow-windward side receives large amounts of precipitation
Earth’s Layers Convection Hot spot
Weathering • Water • Air • Chemicals • Biological agents (plant roots, lichens, burrowing animals) • Physical- • Freeze thaw cycle • Increases chemical • Chemical- • Releases essential nutrients • Acid precipitation • Erosion • Gravity + wind, water, ice • Living organisms • Deposition • Streams, glaciers, wind-borne sediments • Human land use
Soil • Plant growth, water filtration, habitats; filters compounds from air pollution and household sewage systems • Formation- more developed (older) = more organic matter & nutrients • Properties
Soil Horizons • O – organic • Forests & grassland soil • A – topsoil • Mixed material • E – eluviation • Zone of leaching • Dissolved organic acids from O/A infiltrate and remove Fe, Al • B – subsoil • Mineral matter • Nutrients • C- subsoil • Least weathered
Soil Degredation • Loss of plant growing ability Caused by: • Erosion • Compaction • Drying
Mineral Resources • Ores- mined for profit • Metals, salt, sand • Metals- conduct electricity & heat energy • Cu, Ni, Al • Nonmetallic minerals- deposits from chemical or physical separation by water • Clay, sand, salt, limestone, phosphate • Reserve
Surface Water • 3 largest rivers – Amazon (South America), Congo (Africa), Yangtze (China)
Atmospheric Water Human activities influence Droughts & Floods Ni, P cycles slow = less fertile soils Increased by droughts Topsoil loss by wind & water Crop & property damage Parched impermeable soils Loss of human & animal life
Desalination • Figure 9.14