Ecology and Natural

Resources

What is ecology?

Realm of ecology

Biosphere
Biomes
Ecosystem
Community
Populations
Species

Geography of biomes:
Tundra

Geography of biomes:
Boreal forest (taiga)

Geography of biomes:
Temperate broadleaf
deciduous forest

Geography of biomes: Tropical

broadleaf evergreen forest
(rainforest)

Geography of biomes: Temperate

grassland and tropical grassland
(savanna)

Geography of biomes:
Chaparral

Geography of biomes:
Desert

Vs.

Ecological Succession and

vegetation dynamics
(change)

Primary succession
Secondary
succession
Multiple pathways
of succession

Means of persistence
Tolerance/intolerance
Timing of key events

Disturbance and
disturbance
regimes

Carbon cycle

Nitrogen cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Hydrologic cycle

Energy cycles:
Photosynthesis and aerobic
respiration
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight C6H12O6
(glucose) +6O2

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Energy Laws

First law of thermodynamics (law of

conservation of matter)

With regard to the environment (earth as a

whole) there is no away to throw anything into

Second law of thermodynamics (law of

entropy)

Energy goes from high-grade complex forms

like food or gasoline to low-grade useless
forms like heat

Energy pyramid

Food chains and webs

Trophic levels

Producers
Primary consumers
Secondary consumers,
etc

Are there inefficiencies

in the pyramid of
energy?

Four important ecological

concepts in natural
resources management

Any given environment has a finite

carrying capacity

Be aware of limiting factors

Minimize disruption by mimicking nature

Close the loops