RNR 1001 Chapter : Ecology Of Natural Resources
Document Summary
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. Life in the biosphere is based on the evolution of species: organisms that can interbreed and produce completely fertile offspring, species sometimes interbreed --> reduced reproduction in hybrids. Each species can be described by it"s ecological niche: the functional role of a species, predator, herbier, etc, all of the resources used by a species. The ecological niche is composed of the fundamental and realized niches. The niches of some organisms are critical to others keystone species. Species exist in one or more populations: species living together that do actually breed and exchange genetic material. Populations are reproductively isolated unique genetic composition: not different enough to prohibit reproduction with other populations (but what if it is???) They would make a new species: result of adaptation to local environments.
