RNR 1001 Lecture : Lecture 4
Document Summary
Life in the biosphere depends on photosynthesis by autotrophic (they can make their own food) organisms. The biosphere contains living organisms and is about 10,000 meters up and down. Photosynthesis in terrestrial systems is primarily dependent on temperature, water availability, and nutrient concentrations. Photosynthesis in aquatic systems also depends on temperature and nutrient concentrations but is also highly dependent on light. Affected by abiogenic and biogenic turbidity (look those up). Sediment is the #1 pollutant in the us. Biogenic turbidity is caused by living organisms, e. g. , an algae bloom. Algae blooms become selflimiting, a good example of a negative feedback loop (as the process continues it diminishes) Species are organisms that can interbreed and produce completely fertile offspring. Species exist in one or more populations, species living together that do actually breed and exchange genetic material. Populations of different species live together in communities, all of the populations living together within a habitat (a place to live).
