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Regarding your review of the Lodi Winegrowers Commission Workbook ("Next Generation Growers' Guide," by Mercy Olmstead, May 2008): I am the author of the "Ecosystem Management" chapter and respectfully disagree with your assertion that energy functions as a cycle similar to water. Energy from the sun is a one-way flow that does not return to the sun, and thus function as a cycle. A classic definition of energy flow can be explained by photosynthesis, which…explains how energy from the sun is captured by green plants and used to make food. Most of this energy is used to carry on the plant's life activities. The rest of the energy is passed on as food to the next level of the food chain.
At each level of the food chain, about 90% of the energy is lost in the form of heat. The total energy passed from one level to the next is only about one-tenth of the energy received from the previous organism. Therefore, as you move up the food chain, there is less energy available. Animals located at the top of the food chain need a lot more food to meet their energy needs.
I strongly urge you to reconsider your concept of energy in terms of functioning as a "cycle." When you can show me how energy cycles back into the sun, I will be more than happy to entertain the idea that energy functions as a cycle. The error was not mine, but yours.
Kent Reeves
Principal natural resources planner
County of Yolo Parks & Resources Dept.
Woodland, Calif.
Dr. Olmstead replies: Thank you for your thorough explanation of the food chain, and the flow of energy through the chain. However, I think that one thing is not explained very well. The point that I was trying to make was that energy is not a "one-way flow." Although I see your point about not having a literal cycle as in water, carbon, nitrogen, or other elements, the Conservation Law of Energy and Mass states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Thus, energy is only transformed. So your statement that energy is a one-way flow is misleading. It is simply converted for use in another form. The light energy is converted into heat energy. This is then used in the system for another purpose to drive another force, be that growth or motion.
Perhaps including a figure depicting what you are talking about in future editions of the Lodi Winegrape Grower's Guide would be helpful.
South Dakota shout-out
We read your article about Ed Swanson (Hardiness x Appeal by Loretta Sorensen) in the June issue. Very nice! Ed has been and continues to be a positive role model for the rest of us growing grapes and making wine. Thank you for bringing his accomplishments and endeavors to print.
Phil and Donna Breed
Birdsong Vineyards LLC
Beresford, S.D.
Regarding your review of the Lodi Winegrowers Commission Workbook ("Next Generation Growers' Guide," by Mercy Olmstead, May 2008): I am the author of the "Ecosystem Management" chapter and respectfully disagree with your assertion that energy functions as a cycle similar to water. Energy from the sun is a one-way flow that does not return to the sun, and thus function as a cycle. A classic definition of energy flow can be explained by photosynthesis, which…explains how energy from the sun is captured by green plants and used to make food. Most of this energy is used to carry on the plant's life activities. The rest of the energy is passed on as food to the next level of the food chain.
At each level of the food chain, about 90% of the energy is lost in the form of heat. The total energy passed from one level to the next is only about one-tenth of the energy received from the previous organism. Therefore, as you move up the food chain, there is less energy available. Animals located at the top of the food chain need a lot more food to meet their energy needs.
I strongly urge you to reconsider your concept of energy in terms of functioning as a "cycle." When you can show me how energy cycles back into the sun, I will be more than happy to entertain the idea that energy functions as a cycle. The error was not mine, but yours.
Kent Reeves
Principal natural resources planner
County of Yolo Parks & Resources Dept.
Woodland, Calif.
Dr. Olmstead replies: Thank you for your thorough explanation of the food chain, and the flow of energy through the chain. However, I think that one thing is not explained very well. The point that I was trying to make was that energy is not a "one-way flow." Although I see your point about not having a literal cycle as in water, carbon, nitrogen, or other elements, the Conservation Law of Energy and Mass states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Thus, energy is only transformed. So your statement that energy is a one-way flow is misleading. It is simply converted for use in another form. The light energy is converted into heat energy. This is then used in the system for another purpose to drive another force, be that growth or motion.
Perhaps including a figure depicting what you are talking about in future editions of the Lodi Winegrape Grower's Guide would be helpful.
South Dakota shout-out
We read your article about Ed Swanson (Hardiness x Appeal by Loretta Sorensen) in the June issue. Very nice! Ed has been and continues to be a positive role model for the rest of us growing grapes and making wine. Thank you for bringing his accomplishments and endeavors to print.
Phil and Donna Breed
Birdsong Vineyards LLC
Beresford, S.D.
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