TOPIC 3

A2 Edexcel

Environment and climate

change

Dr. Nihal Gabr

6/11/2024
Part 1
Primary productivity

Classwork :
1. Define trophic level
[Link] better to have shorter food chain
[Link] pyramids of numbers , biomass, energy
4. Define GPP , NPP
[Link] how to calculate the Percentage of efficiency of energy transfer
[Link] why the efficiency of energy transfer differ between trophic levels ?
trophic level :

Its feeding level / energy level of an organism in a food chain

Why better to have a shorter food chain

Energy is being lost between trophic levels

So less energy reaching to the organisms at higher trophic level
So cant sustain life in another trophic level

Pyramids :
visual representation of energy flow , biomass accumulation , and number of
individuals at different trophic levels

1. Pyramid of numbers

It represents the number ( how many ) organisms at each trophic level in food chain
Without taking into consideration the biomass / mass of living organisms.

2. Pyramid of biomass Represents the amount Of biomass at each trophic level in a food chain ( number
X mass ) .
It represents the amount of food available at each trophic level

A) time consuming because you need to take sample and get rid of water content ….( evaporation )
B) you have to kill living organism .
C) show data at one point in time in one sample
3. Pyramid of energy

Represent the total energy store of organism at each trophic level in food chain .
Pyramid shaped as energy is lost between trophic levels
A) heat to maintain constant body temperature .
B) movement and respiration
c) undigested food
D) excretion ( in urine )
E) not eaten / non edible .

Productivity is the rate at which energy is added to the bodies of organisms in form of biomass .
Productivity can be defined for any trophic level ( energy or biomass )

Biomass is simply the amount of matter ( organic matter ) that is stored in the bodies of a group of
organisms.

There are two types of productivity First trophic level

( producers ) Primary P
1. GPP ( gross primary productivity )
the organic matter produced as a result of photosynthesis/ energy production /
energy incorporated into biomass in plants from photosynthesis

2. NPP ( net primary productivity ) :

production of biomass / organic matter / energy available for next trophic level remaining after
respiration ( NPP= GPP- R) in plant / producers
 NP
GP

NP
GP Respiration

NP
GP Respiration
GPP>respiration > NPP

NPP GP > respiration > NP

GPP Respiration

Energy available in one trophic level

100
Percentage of efficiency of energy transfer =
Energy available in previous trophic level
6188
Producer to primary consumer = X100 = 16.6%
37225

Primary consumer to secondary = 262 X 100 = 4.23%

6188
16
Secondary to tertiary = X 100 = 6.1 %
262
 GPP
% Efficiency of photosynthesis =
Total light energy reaching the plant

Energy available in one trophic level

100
Percentage of efficiency of energy transfer =
Energy available in previous trophic level

Energy available ( NP ) = energy remaining after respiration

GP- R

NPP = GPP - R
GPP = NPP + R
GPP > R> NPP

Explain why the efficiency of energy transfer differ between trophic levels ?

Different organisms use different amount of energy

As heat is lost in respiration for maintaining constant body temperature
Reasons for energy loss
Part of energy is lost in undigested food
NP < GP
Part of energy is lost in non edible parts
Part of energy is lost in excretion
Recorded
Part 2

why NPP / GPP / respiration differs among trophic levels ?

Carbon cycle

Class work :
1.
Net primary productivity varies among ecosystems

Abiotic factors affecting NPP Biotic factors affecting NPP

1. Light intensity 1. Disease

2. CO2 concentration 2. Competition from other plants
3. Temperature 3. Grazing
4. Minerals / nutrients availability 4. Trampling
5. moisture level / humidity 5. Shading by plants

1. Reasons for decreasing in NPP Why NPP is less than GPP ?

NPP= GPP- R

Where there is a slow increase / decrease in GPP but a faster increase in R

Where tree continues to grow and gets larger , it requires more ATP / energy .
So R ( respiration ) keeps increasing as the tree gets larger .

Yet despite there are more leaves yet GPP was still showing a very slow / little increase
As many larger upper leaves were shading the lower leaves .
2. Reasons for an increase in R ( respiration in plants )

The tree was growing showing an increase in size so more ATP and energy was needed
For cell division/ active transport mineral ions uptake / metabolism

[Link] NPP is less than GPP ?

NPP = GPP -R
Energy is lost as heat
Used in metabolic process , movement , open flowers .

[Link] increase in GPP ?

Number of leaves is increasing

So greater surface area to absorb more light energy
For more light dependent reaction producing more ATP and reduced NADP
So more GALP produced from Calvin Cycle
So more proteins / biomass/ cellulose synthesized from GALP / glucose ..

[Link] decrease in respiration

R is decreasing as some trees are dead so not respiring .

Decrease in temperature so slower enzymatic activity .
3. Reasons for decrease in GPP :

Showing ( a greater increase in growth rate in young trees and )less growth in older trees
So rate of photosynthesis decrease with age
( describe : less water absorbed so less…..
Lower ratio of leaves / trunk is getting thicker but no more leaves / trees shade each other …..so less light energy so
less……
Also mineral ions in soil would have been depleted or decreased
 Ratio

A) algal beds and coral reefs

B) open ocean
C) although it has a low productivity, there is an enormous amount of open ocean
( occupy large surface area of EARTH ) so it has a big overall impact on the total
Earth’s net productivity
 r
33

ab
A

lG
ha
.Ni
Dr

50 branches 2 branches

10 canes per day

5 canes per day
20 canes per day
250 can per day
115
 (Occupying
greater surface
area )

r
ab
Light intensity
Co2 concentration
lG
ha
Temperature
.Ni

Open ocean has a greater percentage of Earth;s NPP 24.4 % and

Dr

lower NPP 125 gm-2 yr-2 .

Open ocean represent 65% of Earth’s surface and Estuary represent
0.3% of Earth’s surface
I.e open ocean covers a far more area of Earth’s surface .

l Ocean ..low NPP……less CO2 dissolved, lower temp , less light ( deep )
thus decreasing rate of photosynthsis.
116
 Q Why do deserts have low NPP?
Deserts are areas of low available water( lack of water) …..
so less photolysis and dehydration .
Ans Due to extreme very high or very cold temperature which affects the enzyme activity ……..Elaborate.
the absence of water and extreme temperature will prevent most plants surviving ( fewer plants growing)
and, hence, productivity is negligible

Plants may show similar adaptations to conserve water in both environments (xerophytism).

Q Why oceans have low productivity ( NPP)?

Productivity actual means primary productivity which is the biomass or dry weight produce by the plants per unit
area during the photosynthesis.
Ans In ocean, there is insufficient radiation ( less light) as sunlight decreases with the increasing depth
Also less Co2 dissolved in water
Low temperature so slow enzymatic activity . If opposite ( high GPP IN SEA)
which decreases the rate of photosynthesis. Shallow water
More photo
High Co2 levels in sea
High /optimum temp
High light intensity
Less respiration
 What is estuary mean?
A partly enclosed coastal body of water in

Q Why do estuaries have high NPP? which river water is mixed with seawater is
called an estuary. An estuary is thus defined by

Higher than deep oceans

salinity rather than geography. Many coastal
features designated by other names are in fact
estuaries (for instance, Chesapeake Bay).

Estuaries are nutrient-rich, with both rivers and tides bringing in nutrients
NPP is high in coral reef ( animals) in which algae live
Ans The sea where coral reefs are found , is constantly warm allowing rapid enzymatic
activity , and clear allowing high light penetratiom for photo.
since the high light intensity and warm water allow rapid photosynthesis .
Thus increasing productivity .
11/11/2024part 3
Carbon sink / source
Green house gases / global warming
Temperature proxies (dendrochronology / peat bog records )
Extra polation
A The carbon cycle
B The carbon sink

A carbon sink is anything that absorb more carbon from the

atmosphere than it releases
For example , plants , the ocean and the soil

In contrast SOURCE , is anything that release more Carbon

dioxide into atmosphere than it absorbs
For example , the burning of fossil fuels or volcanic eruptions

How carbon get fixed by plants and become plant biomass

• BY carbon fixation
Respiration • Resulting in formation of GP
1. Plants • Which in turn result in formation of GALP / glucose
[Link] • Which is used make organic molecules ( polymer )
[Link] Carbohydrate and proteins act as carbon sink
Combustion .
Of fossil fuels
Weathering and volcanic
activities
There are biotic and abiotic carbon sinks in nature ( reservoirs where Ideas for solving
carbon is removed from atmosphere and locked into organic and
inorganic compounds .

1) as organic compound in living and dead cells ….( biotic )

2) CO2 in atmosphere ……( abiotic )
3) organic matter in soil ( inform of humus ) …..abiotic
4) fossil fuels as coal and oil and sedimentary rocks ( lime stone ) …..abiotic
5) in ocaen dissolved atmospheric CO2 ( Abiotic ) , calcium carbonate shells in marine animals also
in coral reefs ( biotic )

The amounts in many of different carbon sinks are shown in table….suggest why these quantities
Read
in different sink have changed over time

1. Atmosphere :
• agriculture : CO2 is released from burning of fossil fuels in machinery
( tractors ) used in agriculture .
• Deforestation : Decrease in number of trees so less CO2 being
absorbed from atmosphere by plants for photosynthesis .
• Increase in number of vehicles and other methods of transportation
such as trains which involves burning of fossil fuels
• Home burn more fossil fuels heating and electricity for other daily
requirements like washing machines .
 2. Soil organic matter :
• contain dead bodies with organic matter as well as humus ,
• where temperature affects the rate of decomposition , death rate of organisms .

3. Ocean :
temperature ……..
• where CO2 dissolved in water + calcium carbonate in shells in marine animals ,
• yet as water temperature increase, the ability of CO2 to dissolve decrease …so leaving more CO2 to atmosphere .

4. Sedimentary rocks :
• erosion , acidity of water , acid rain

5. Terrestrial plants :
• Seasons of the year in temperate area ( not extreme of cold or hot ) has big effect on global photosynthesis levels
• deforestation .

Hints for solving Importance of nitrates in plant

• used to make amino acids and proteins by plants for growth/ biomass production
• used to make enzymes for chemical reactions
• Used to make DNA which contain the genetic codes
• Used to make ATP as source of energy
• used to make chlorophyll to absorb light for light dependent stage , used for photolysis
Effect of increase in decomposition of dead plants and animals :

• More decomposition
• So more carbon dioxide and methane gas added to atmosphere
• Due to increase in respiration by microorganisms ( decomposers )
• Increase in heat trapped in Earth’s atmosphere
• Increase enhanced green house effect
• increase global warming

Green house gases Green house gases ( CfC , Co2 , water vapour, methane )

IR….reflected back to atmosphere ……..long wave

radiation
UV…emitted from sun ….short wave radiation

The green house effect describe the process by which infra red radiation from
the sun , that has been absorbed and radiated by the surface of the Earth, is
absorbed and reradiated back to the Earth’s surface by gases such as CO2
and methane gas ( the green house gases ) in the atmosphere ( IR trapped )

Next page
 To maintain the temperature of the Earth’s surface at a level that is suitable for life …so the green house
effect is vital to life and is very positive process

Role of green house gases in climate change

• Enhanced green house effect ……results from increase in concentration of the green house gases
in atmosphere
• Accumulated green house gases in the atmosphere will trap more infra red radiation
• Resulting in an increase in temperature of Earth’s atmosphere

Describe how global warming may be caused

Increase in green house gases such as CO2, water vapour and methane
2. From deforestation and burning of fossil fuels
3. They accumulate in the atmosphere
4. U.V light ( short wave radiation ) pass through green house gases
5. While infra red radiation ( long wave radiation ) from the sun , that has been absorbed and radiated by the surface
of Earth , is absorbed and reradiated back to surface of Earth by gases such as CO2 and methane gas in
atmosphere .
6. Thus increasing in temperature at the surface of earth .
How more plants reduce atmospheric CO2

1. More plants so more photosynthesis ( Calvin cycle )

2. So more tres taking CO2 from the atmosphere
3. Increasing rate of photosynthesis
4. remove more CO2 from the atmosphere
5. So if the removal of CO2 is greater than rate of carbon-dioxide being added into atmosphere , then
global warming will be reduced
6. As less CO2 in the atmosphere to trap the infra red radiation
[Link] more carbon is being locked in plants acting as carbon sink .

Whats global warming

Increase in average temperature

Of the Earth’s surface / atmosphere

Why ice melts

• Increase in the mean / average global temperature

• Due to deforestation and burning of fossil fuels
• So more green house gases ( CO2 ) so more infra red radiation is being trapped
• Thus increasing temperature of Earth’s atmosphere .
• Which is higher than melting point of ice so more ice melts
Climate :

Climate : its the average weather in a relatively large area , e.g country , over a long period of time , e.g 30 years

Measurements include :
Mean temperature
Precipitation( amount of rain , snow sleet , hail that falls ) .
Wind / humidity / atmospheric pressure
All over a period of time .

Weather. Is the condition in the atmosphere at one particular time .- for example , whether its sunny or windy or
rainy when you go outside Local

Climate change

A large scale change in global or regional weather patterns that happens over a period of many years .

There are natural variations in the weather and a single year that is usually hot ,
change in average temperature of Earth’s atmosphere/ amount of rain fall varies in same ways over many years , then
climate change may be happening

Why single extreme weather event such as flood or very low tempertaure cant be used as evidence
for global climatic change ? Definition of each . .

Weather is local and variable where as global climate change is measured over a large area over a long time .
So single extreme weather event is simply as an example of natural variations in weather patterns , not a long term trend.
However , if the numbers of extreme weather events increase significantly over a long period of time , this can be evidence of
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Methane gas as a green house gas

Methane produced from :

1. rice paddy fields which are water logged , where bacteria produce methane gas
2. Cattle

How to reduce methane produced by cattle

That people stop eating beef and using dairy products. Because millions of people around the world rely on meat
and milk as a major part of their diet and big farming interests have a lot of economic power/influence and would
object .

Anthropogenic climatic change.

Changes to weather patterns / global temperature / rain fall over a long period of time
Due to human activity
 Correlation Causation
A strong tendency for two sets When one factor directly causes a specific
of data to change together effect
( indirect ) Change in one variable directly result in a

A change in one variable is accompanied by a change in change of another variable

another variable
Proved by test
Proven by statistical analysis. .+ meta data analysis
Example : CO2 is. Green house gas
Human activities has an influence in increasing in levels Increase Co2 concentration…enhanced green
of CO2 concentration in atmosphere and an increase in house effect
global temperature Trapping more Infra red radiation
Increasing in temperature of earth’s atmosphere.

Evidence
1. For climate change including records of Co2 level, temperature records , pollen in peat bogs , tree rings
( dendrochronology ) , isotopes of decay of gases from ice cores .
2. Statistical test and meta data analysis .
3. For reliability : Carried out over long period of time, very large number of readings, same or similar
measuring equipment used throughout, area of low air pollution ……