ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LECTURE

TOPIC 1: NATURE AND ECOLOGY

This topic will cover;
 Historical perspective of Earth
 Geological Evolution
 Atmosphere, water climate and weather
 Ecosystems
 Interaction between people and nature

Nature – natural world, physical world, or material world.

- Refers to the phenomena of the physical world and life in general.
- It ranges in scale from the subatomic and cosmic.

Ecology – the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms.

- The interaction between organisms and their environment, structure and function of
ecosystems.

Question?
 Why is Ecology important?
- It is because, ecology helps us to understand how the world works.
- It provides useful evidence on the interdependence between people and the natural
world.

Basic Fundamental Ecological Principles Which Describe Various Aspects of Living

Organisms.
1. Evolution and distribution of plants and animals.
2. Extinction of species.
3. Consumption and transfer of energy in different components of biological communities.
4. Cycling and recycling of organic and inorganic substances interactions and inter-
relationships among the organisms and between organisms and physical environment.

Ecological Study Levels

 1. Global Ecology
2. Landscape Ecology
3. Ecosystem Ecology
4. Community Ecology
5. Population Ecology
6. Organismal Ecology

Importance of Ecology
1. Conservation of Environment
2. Resource Allocation
3. Energy Conservation
4. Eco-Friendliness

Examples of Ecology
1. Human Ecology - It is the study of man's interactions with nature in various cultures.
Human Ecology incorporates ideas and methods from a variety of disciplines, including
anthropology, sociology, biology, economic history, and archeology.
2. Niche Construction - the process by which organisms alter environmental states, thereby
changing the conditions under which they and other organisms live and the sources of
natural selection in their environments

Important Ecological Concepts

1. Food chain – it is the process by which matter and energy are transferred from organism
to organism in the form of food.
2. Ecological Pyramids – graphical representation that depicts the feeding relationships of
groups of organisms as well as the flow of energy or biomass through the various trophic
levels in a given ecosystem.
3. Food web – it is a graphical model showing the interconnecting food chains in an
ecological community

THE EARTH
 Historical Perspective – refers to understanding a subject in light of its earliest phases
and subsequent evolution.
 Geological Evolution – the process of gradual change and events in antiquity that include
the steps to create the Earth.

The Main Components of the Earth System

 1. Geosphere - is a rock and mineral-rich part of the planet that includes the solid crust, the
molten mantle, and the liquid and solid parts of the Earth's core.
2. Atmosphere - the gaseous layer that surrounds the earth and is held to its surface by
gravity.
3. Hydrosphere - the parts of the earth system that are made up of water in its liquid,
gaseous (vapor), and solid (ice) phases.
4. Biosphere - contains all living organisms and is inextricably linked to the other three
spheres: The majority of living organisms require gases from the environment.

The Earth System interacts with the Geosphere in the following ways:
1. Atmosphere
- dissolved gases from the atmosphere affect the chemistry of the Geosphere.
- For example, carbon dioxide dissolved in rainwater that produces a weak acid
that weathers rock at Earth’s surface.

2. Biosphere
- Organisms help form and weather rocks
- Organisms in the ocean can provide material that form carbonate rocks at the
bottom of the oceans.
- Roots of plants breakup rocks to increase their weathering rates.

3. Hydrosphere
- Water is a key agent of change causing chemical and mechanical erosion of
Earth’s Geosphere.

4. Cryosphere
- Cryosphere’s glaciers and ice sheets erode the Geosphere’s surface as the ice
moves slowly across the land, eroding the surface, and then depositing the
sediments in other places.

LITHOSPHERE
 The rigid outermost shell of a rocky planet
 Contains the crust and upper mantle
 The Earth has two types of lithospheres: oceanic and continental
 The lithosphere is broken up into tectonic plates.

 Oceanic lithosphere
 - consists mainly of mafic (rich in magnesium and iron) crust and ultramafic
(over 90% mafic) mantle
- denser than continental lithosphere.
 Continental lithosphere
- also called the continental crust
- the layer of igneous, sedimentary rock that forms the continents and the
continental shelves consists mostly of granitic rock

Plate Tectonics
The theory of plate tectonics holds that the Earth's outer shell is divided into several
plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core.
Plate tectonics affects humans in several important ways.
 It causes earthquakes
 It causes volcanism
 It induces recycling of elements within the biosphere and between the geosphere and
biosphere ➢ It causes mountain-building

ATMOSPHERE or AEROSPHERE
- The atmosphere is a protective layer of gases that protects all life on Earth by keeping
temperatures within a narrow range and blocking out harmful rays of sunlight.
- Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent
other gases.
- The atmosphere is made of gases that are essential for photosynthesis and other life
activities.
- The atmosphere is a crucial part of the water cycle. It is an important reservoir for
water, and the source of precipitation.
- The atmosphere moderates Earth's temperature.
- Weather takes place in the atmosphere.
- Without air, Earth would be silent.

Importance of the Atmosphere:

1. Helps retain the sun’s heat and prevents it from escaping back into space.
2. Protects life from harmful radiation from the sun.
3. Plays a major role in Earth’s water cycle.
4. Helps keep the climate on Earth moderate.

The atmosphere protects life on Earth from:

- absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation
 - warming the surface of the Earth through heat retention (greenhouse effect)
- reducing the extreme temperature differences between day and night.
Layers of the Atmosphere
1. Troposphere – 0 to 10 km
2. Stratosphere – 10 to 30 km
3. Mesosphere – 30 to 50 km
4. Thermosphere – 50 to 400 km
5. Exosphere - > 400 km

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather - is essentially the behavior of the atmosphere, particularly in terms of its effects on life
and human activities.

Climate - the term "climate" refers to the long-term weather pattern in a specific location.

Factors affecting climate change

1. Humidity 7. Sea level
2. Air temperature near surface 8. Glaciers
3. Sea surface temperature 9. Snow Cover
4. Ocean heat content 10. Temperature over oceans
5. Sea ice
6. Temperature over land

The major climate zones:

1. Tropical zone it is very warm in these regions, more water evaporates and the air is often
moist. Dense cloud cover reduces the effect of solar radiation on ground temperature.
2. Subtropic zone it is very warm in these regions; more water evaporates and the air is
often moist. Dense cloud cover reduces the effect of solar radiation on ground
temperature.
3. Temperate zone the climate is characterized by less frequent extremes, a more regular
distribution of the precipitation over the year and a longer vegetation period - therefore
the name "temperate".
 4. Cold zone receives less heat through solar radiation, since the Sun has a very flat angle
toward the ground. Vegetation is only possible during a few months per year
Dry Subtropics Humid Winter Subtropics Always Wet Subtropics
(Mediterranean climate) (East side climate)
Climate: SUBTROPICAL ZONE
Climate: Climate:
 Annual Vegetation
Period;  Annual Vegetation  Annual Vegetation
 Winter Period; Period;
precipitation;  Winter  Maximum of
 Whole year arid; precipitation; precipitation in
 Daytime climate;  Only arid summer summertime.
 Solar climate.

HYDROSPHERE / CRYOSPHERE
Hydrosphere – total amount of water on a planet
- it includes water on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air.
- hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or ice.

Facts about Hydrosphere

1. The amount of water on the Earth’s surface remains constant over time.
2. 68.7% of the freshwater exist in the form of permanent snow.

What is the importance of Hydrosphere?

1. Helps to maintain the hydrological cycle
2. Good means of transport of water
3. Plays a vital role in the Earth’s climate

Cryosphere – is the frozen water part of the Earth system

- the term cryosphere comes from the Greek word, “krios” which means
cold.
What is the important role of the cryosphere in the Earth’s climate?
1. Snow and ice reflect heat from the sun, helping to regulate our planet’s temperature.
2. Because polar regions are some of the most sensitive to climate shifts, the cryosphere
may be one of the first places where scientists are able to identify global changes in
climate.

BIOSPHERE / ECOSPHERE
- The biosphere is made up of the parts of Earth where life exists.
- The biosphere is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems.
- The biosphere can also be termed the zone of life on Earth.

Levels of Organization within the Biosphere

 Species – similar organisms that successfully reproduce among themselves in their
natural environment.
 Population - group of individuals within the same species, within the same area, and that
are capable of reproducing with one another.
 Community - defined as the populations of two or more species within the same
geographical area and within the same time period.
 Ecosystem - a community along with its abiotic (non-living) components, such as the
water and air.
 Biome - a large ecological area with similar climatic conditions. A biome can have
multiple ecosystems within it.
 Biosphere - includes all living organisms along with the spheres they interact with
(lithosphere, hydrosphere, etc.).

Environment vs. Nature

 Environment Nature
 The surroundings of, and influences  Consists of all things unaffected by or
on, a particular item of interest. pretending human technology,
production and design

 The natural word or ecosystem  The innate characteristics of a thing.

Distinct from what might be expected or
intended

 All the elements that affect a system  The summary of everything that has to
or its inputs and outputs. do with biological, chemical and physical
states and events in the physical
universe.

Environment vs. Ecosystem

Environment Ecosystem

It is the community where the biotic and

It is the surrounding where organisms live.
abiotic components interact with each other.

It comprises physical components. It comprises biological components.

It provides a living space for the elements. It provides interaction between the elements.

It provides the relation between components

It provides the condition to live.
to live.

Environment can be macro or micro. Ecosystem can be aquatic or terrestrial.

An organism’s environment changes as it The ecosystem remains the same no matter

moves from one place to another. where the organism travels.

Ecosystem depends upon all the essential life

Environment is just a place in time
processes such as photosynthesis.

ECOSYSTEM
 - An ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms
interact with each other and the surrounding environment.
- It is a chain of interaction between organisms and their environment.
- The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G. Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935.

Two types of Ecosystems

1. Terrestrial Ecosystem
2. Aquatic Ecosystem

Terrestrial Ecosystem
1. Forest Ecosystems
- A forest ecosystem consists of several plants, animals and microorganisms that
live in coordination with the abiotic factors of the environment.
- Forests help in maintaining the temperature of the earth and are the major
carbon sink.

2. Grassland Ecosystem
- In a grassland ecosystem, the vegetation is dominated by grasses and herbs.

- Temperate grasslands, savanna grasslands are some of the examples of

grassland ecosystems.

3. Tundra Ecosystem
- Tundra ecosystems are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates or where
rainfall is scarce.
- These are covered with snow for most of the year.
- The ecosystem in the Arctic or mountain tops is tundra type.

4. Desert Ecosystem
- Desert are found throughout the world.
- These are regions with very rainfall.
- The days are hot and the nights are cold.

Aquatic Ecosystem
1. Desert Ecosystem

- The freshwater ecosystem is an aquatic ecosystem that includes lakes, ponds,

rivers, streams and wetlands. These have no salt content in contrast with the
marine ecosystem.

2. Desert Ecosystem

- The marine ecosystem includes seas and oceans. These have a more
substantial salt content and greater biodiversity in comparison to the freshwater
ecosystem.

STRUCTURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM

Biotics vs. Abiotic

Biotic Abiotic

Organic matter Climate

Living things Nonliving things

 Oysters Sunlight

Blue Crabs Temperature

Zooplankton Nutrient Enrichment

Jellyfish Humidity

Phytoplankton Soil

Functions of Ecosystem
1. It regulates the essential ecological processes, supports life systems and renders stability.
2. It is also responsible for the cycling of nutrients between biotic and abiotic components.
3. It maintains a balance among the various trophic levels in the ecosystem.
4. It cycles the minerals through the biosphere.
5. The abiotic components help in the synthesis of organic components that involves the
exchange of energy.

What is the significant of Ecosystems?

- Ecosystems are important because they sustain the natural world, providing humans with
the resources we require in order to live and thrive.

SUMMARY
- All parts of an ecosystem are connected, and work together to keep that system balanced
and healthy.
- An ecosystem includes all the living and nonliving factors within a specific area
- An ecosystem relies on careful balance, where each factor directly or indirectly affects
everything else.
- The Earth is made up of various different ecosystem, each which connect together to
form a balanced planet.

THANK YOU!
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