Activity 2.3 - Biosphere and Interconnections

 

Chapter 4 of Freedman discusses thermodynamics and how energy exists in a system. With earth, the energy flow in and out is balanced according to the laws. It then goes on to relate thermodynamics to energy flowing through an ecosystem. In an ecosystem, energy travels from the sun to primary producers, then primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. The book talks about the implications of this energy flow through complex food chains.

Chapter 7 of Freedman discusses biodiversity and how it poses value to society. Humans place value on the environment based on utilitarian and intrinsic value. The book then discusses the various categories of life and shows how we may find value in each. For example, fungi can be useful in the production of alcohol, bread, and medicines. 

Chapter 8 of Freedman discusses biomes around the world and how they compare and interact. All the biomes are defined by a combination of climate and species in the area. These biomes may share species and other characteristics. For example, estuaries exist between freshwater and saltwater ecosystems and facilitate resource exchanges between the two areas. While ecological borders are blurred, political borders are not and often cause conflict between political powers. 

All three of these chapters are connected. Energy flows between organisms and eventually between ecosystems and ecozones. Despite the distance, everything is connected and interacts, maintaining the balance of earth's intake and output of energy into the universe. 

References

Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective. Halifax, Canada: Dalhousie University Libraries.