Mind map

Ecosystems

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Ecosystems

biological units = biotic community and abiotic env.
- boundaries = permeable to both materials
  - water
  - nutrients
  - organisams
types of ecosystems
- supporting
  - nutrient dispersal and cycling
  - pollination
  - seed dispersal
- provisioning
  - crop production
  - wild foods and medicines
  - clean water
- regulating
  - climate regulation
  - C sequestring
  - purification of water, air
  - pest and disease regulation
- cultural
  - cultural, spiritual, intellectual
  - landscape appearance
soil processes
- soil formation
- nutrient cycling and renewal of soil fertility
- regulation of atmospheric composition
  - Carbon sequestering
    - process of transferring CO2 from atmosphere into soil via OM
    - offset CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels
    - minimising soil disturbance
    - diff. types of organic input have diff. decomposition rates
    - diff. fractions of SOM have diff. residence times in soil
  - Soil C pools
    - light organic C fraction
      - plant and animal residues rapidly decompose
    - organic-mineral fraction
      - Soil organic C stabilised in association with clay/silt particles
    - passive C
      - turnover times 1500-3500yrs
      - some free/complexed with minerals
    - TILLAGE
    - agroforestry
- regulation of pests/disease
- decontamination of wastes and toxic materials
- provision of habitat and food for wildlife
- maintenance of genetic diversity
nutrient cycles
- nitrogen