3.3: Ecosystem Ecology
- Page ID
- 175771
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In semi-urban areas beavers (Castor canadensis) are considered a nuisance as their dams block drainage pipes and cause flooding. However, in wild areas beavers are one of the most important species. Beaver dams are known for altering the flow of water. However, these dams not only slow down the movement of water, but they spread and store water in a way that is much more efficient than human-made dams. In addition, they slow and spread sediment and nutrients as they move through watersheds. What this does is create a mosaic of habitats across a landscape, both aquatic and terrestrial. More habitats lead to more species, both for plants and animals. In this way, beavers create ecosystems, one stick at a time.
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- 3.3.1: Introduction
- This page defines energy as the ability to do work, highlighting its significance in daily life and its various forms, primarily kinetic and potential energy. It emphasizes the law of conservation of energy, which states that the total energy in the universe is constant. This principle is essential for understanding atmospheric phenomena and weather, as energy influences temperature changes and air movements.
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- 3.3.2: Energy, Food Chains and Food Webs
- This page explores energy flow in ecosystems through food chains and food webs, emphasizing trophic relationships among species. It details the role of producers in converting solar to chemical energy, various consumer categories, and the function of decomposers in nutrient recycling.
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- 3.3.3: Soils
- This page covers the importance of soil, detailing its composition, classification, and factors influencing its formation. Soil quality is essential for agriculture, dependent on chemical makeup, climate, and organisms. The page explains soil textures using a triangle diagram and introduces soil horizons, highlighting their roles in plant growth.
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- 3.3.4: Soil Degradation
- This page discusses soil degradation, highlighting erosion, compaction, and salinization as primary causes that reduce soil quality and productivity, often due to poor agricultural practices. It notes erosion as the top contributor, with compaction hindering root growth and salinization affecting irrigated areas. The page also addresses the role of desertification, worsened by climate change and unsustainable farming, in increasing aridity and reducing vegetation.
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- 3.3.5: Ecosystem Types and Dynamics
- This page discusses ecosystems, including their types—freshwater, marine, and terrestrial—along with the classification of terrestrial biomes based on vegetation and climate. It highlights the dynamics of ecosystems, addressing the effects of natural and human-induced disturbances on resilience and resistance. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of foundation species, which are crucial for ecosystem structure and help sustain biodiversity by altering environments, exemplified by kelp and corals.
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- 3.3.6: Data Dive- Beaver Impacts on Wetlands
- This page discusses ecosystem engineers, highlighting how beavers alter habitats and affect biodiversity. A 2017 study on beaver reintroduction showed an increase in wetland species diversity over time, particularly between 1-2 years and 10-12 years post-introduction. The findings suggest beavers' potential in habitat restoration, although certain data patterns remain ambiguous.
Attributions
Modified by Erin Rempala from Environmental Science (Ha and Schleiger) by Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger (CC BY-NC 4.0(opens in new window))
Rachel Schleiger (CC-BY-NC(opens in new window))