EXPLORING the SCIENCE and BEAUTY of NATURE : Ecosystems, Climate Change, Salmon Restoration

Twenty five years in development, this book lays down the foundation of ecosystem science that is key to understanding the potential catastrophic impacts of major climate change. With over 300 original photos and over 100 graphics, the book takes the reader on Journeys to the Marshall Islands, the French Frigate Shoals, and Sanibel Island where the fundamentals of ecosystems are presented and illustrated.

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Patterns of Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy enters the ecosystem in the form of photons and electromagnetic radiation that is received from the sun. This energy is transformed by plants through photosynthesis into high energy compounds. The compounds are transferred through the food chain by herbivores feeding upon plants and carnivores feeding upon herbivores and other carnivores. Ultimately all of the solar energy input into an ecosystem will be converted into heat energy and exported out of the ecosystem.

Global Chemical Cycles

Plants and animals require specific chemical compounds for cellular metabolism, growth and reproduction. These chemicals are called nutrients on a local scale and biogeochemicals on a global scale. Nutrients are transferred along the food chain when herbivores feed upon plants and carnivores feed upon animals.

Salmon Restoration

Measures to restore salmon populations continue to be proposed-including breaching dams on the Lower Snake River.