Ecosystem Ecology

Ecosystem ecology is the integrated study of living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components of an environment and their interactions as a complete system. This field focuses on the primary processes that link these components, namely the flow of energy through food webs and the cycling of chemical nutrients like carbon and nitrogen. By examining entire functional units, such as a forest, a lake, or a coral reef, ecosystem ecologists seek to understand how these systems function, how they respond to disturbances, and how they provide essential services, thereby forming a critical foundation for conservation and resource management in the face of environmental change.

1. Foundations of Ecosystem Ecology
   1. Historical Development of Ecosystem Ecology
      1. Early Ecological Concepts
      2. Tansley's Ecosystem Concept
      3. Systems Ecology Movement
      4. Modern Ecosystem Science
   2. Defining the Ecosystem Concept
      1. Basic Definition and Components
      2. Integration of Biotic and Abiotic Components
      3. Functional vs. Structural Perspectives
      4. Ecosystem as Open Systems
   3. Ecosystem Boundaries and Scale
      1. Spatial Boundaries
         1. Natural Boundaries
         2. Artificial Boundaries
         3. Edge Effects and Ecotones
      2. Temporal Boundaries
         1. Short-term Dynamics
         2. Long-term Changes
      3. Hierarchical Organization
         1. Individual Organisms
         2. Populations
         3. Communities
         4. Ecosystems
         5. Landscapes
         6. Biomes
         7. Biosphere
   4. Core Ecosystem Components
      1. Abiotic Environment
         1. Physical Factors
            1. Climate and Weather
            2. Solar Radiation
            3. Temperature Regimes
            4. Water Availability
            5. Atmospheric Composition
         2. Chemical Factors
            1. Soil Chemistry
            2. Water Chemistry
            3. Nutrient Availability
            4. pH and Salinity
         3. Geological Factors
            1. Substrate Type
            2. Topography
            3. Soil Formation
      2. Biotic Components
         1. Primary Producers
            1. Photoautotrophs
            2. Chemoautotrophs
         2. Consumers
            1. Primary Consumers
            2. Secondary Consumers
            3. Tertiary Consumers
         3. Decomposers and Detritivores
            1. Bacterial Decomposers
            2. Fungal Decomposers
            3. Invertebrate Detritivores