Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology

(2 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The fluxes of C, N, P, Si and S through and between ecosystems and earth compartments (lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere) reflect to a large extent the functioning of the Earth system, and perturbations of these cycles due to human activities are the basis of a range of environmental and climate-related problems. We will focus on the major biological processes driving these element cycles, the role of weathering processes, and compare the role of different major ecosystems (terrestrial, oceans, and freshwater systems) and exchange between the Earth surface and the atmosphere. An overview will be presented of the evolution of these element cycles over geological time scales, and the recent impact of anthropogenic disturbance. Finally, a number of key methods will be discussed which are frequently used to unravel and quantify element cycles, from microbial to global scales.