Biogeography of the Earth

Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Energy capture and use

At the base of an ecosystem, primary producers are actively converting solar energy into stored chemical energy. Photosynthesis is the process of converting solar energy, water, and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. The process occurs in two steps: first light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll to split a molecule of water releasing hydrogen and oxygen. The second step uses the energy to convert carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

The carbohydrate (C₆H₁₂O₆) can be converted into starch and stored by the plant. Carbohydrate can be combined with other sugar molecules to make cellulose, the basic structural material of a plant.

Figure 12.11 View "Photosynthesis" Courtesy of Britannica.

Oddly enough, of all the solar radiation striking a plant, only about 1 percent is used in photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis is dependent on several things, especially the amount of light received ... up to a point. As solar radiation increases the rate of photosynthesis increases. For many plants there is an upper limit to the rate of photosynthesis. In some plants as incident solar radiation increases the rate of photosynthesis levels off, or may decrease.  The increasing solar energy load causes the plant to be too hot and the need to cool the plant increases. As a result, transpiration takes over as the dominate plant process. Transpiration, the loss of water from plants, acts to cool the plant by releasing latent energy. Adequate supplies of water, carbon dioxide and the availability of nutrients in the soil affect photosynthesis.

Respiration

While photosynthesis builds stored chemical energy in a plant, respiration is the process of "burning" stored chemical energy, basically through oxidation, for maintaining plant metabolism. During plant respiration, carbohydrates combine with oxygen and is reduced to carbon dioxide, water, and heat.

While photosynthesis operates only during day when sunshine is available, respiration goes on both night and day. Plant growth occurs so long as photosynthesis exceeds respiration.