Ecology. Ecology = the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment (soil, water, climate, etc.

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1 Ecology

2 Ecology Ecology = the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment (soil, water, climate, etc.) Who studies this? ecologists 2 sets of environmental factors Biotic and Abiotic Factors

3 Ecosystem Factors Biotic Factors Biotic Factors = factors in an ecosystem that are living Examples: -Tree -Rabbit -Frog Abiotic Factors Abiotic Factors = factors in a ecosystem that are NON-living Examples: -Sun -Water -Weather -Fire

4 Abiotic Factors = nonliving things Soil and rocks Weather Water/rain Temperature

5 Biotic Factors = Living things Plants Fox Fungi Bacteria Protists You!

6 Levels of organization can you 1. Atom 2. Molecule 3. Cell 4. Tissue 5. Organ 6. Organ system 7. Organism 8. Population 9. Community 10. Ecosystem 11. Biome 12. Biosphere remember?

7 6 Levels of Ecology focus on organism biome 1. Organism = one individual (you) 2. Population = 2+ of the same organism (our classroom) 3. Community = All types of living organisms in an area (our school population) 4. Ecosystem = All living organisms AND nonliving factors in an area (our school and everything in it) 5. Biome = group of similar ecosystems (our country) 6. Biosphere = all areas on earth where life exists (all life on Earth!)

8 Habitat Habitat = a place where a particular population lives

9 What might you find if you turn over a log? Are all of these things competing for the same food? Each population feeds in different ways, on different materials, and at different times this leads to reduced competition

10 Niche Niche = The role or function of an organism or species in an ecosystem All the strategies and adaptations a species uses in its environment How it meets its specific needs for food and shelter How and where it survives Where it reproduces Includes all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors Kind of like an organism s job

11 Interactions in Ecosystems How do organisms interact?

12 Interactions in Ecosystems Competition Predator/Prey Symbiosis

13 What is competition? Competition = when organisms compete or fight over a limited resource Competition can be reduced by organisms having different niches in an ecosystem

14 Predator/Prey Interactions Predator = organism that hunts other organisms for food Prey = organisms that are hunted Populations of directly impact each other! BA91fY

15 Density Dependent Factors Density Dependent Factors = factors in the ecosystem that can change as a result of the population density (# of organism in an area) Examples: Food Shelter Water Disease

16 Not all interactions among organisms involve eating each other Symbiosis = organisms living together 3 Types of symbiotic relationships Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

17 Mutualism Mutualism = benefits both organisms in relationship

18 Commensalism Commensalism = one organism benefits and the other is unaffected

19 Example: Cattle Egrets Cattle Egrets live near cattle because the cattle stir up insects that the birds can eat. The cattle are neither benefited nor harmed by the birds presence!

20 Parasitism Parasitism = one organism benefits and the other is harmed PARASITES (like viruses) don t immediately kill host use it first sometimes kill it later!

21 Carrying Capacity Maximum population size of species that environment can sustain, given food, habitat, water and other necessities are available in environment

22 Food Chains and Food Webs And the organisms within them!

23 All living things must have energy in order to maintain homeostasis (balance) Where does ALL energy originate? #1 source of energy = SUN (radiation) Energy flow is a one way street

24 Can you get energy from the sun? What organisms can use the sun s energy for food? Autotrophs! Autotroph = organisms that can make their own food (usually from sun or chemicals in environment) Examples: plants, algae, photosynthetic bacteria, chemotrophs AKA: Producers

25 What are organisms called that can t make their own food? Heterotrophs = organisms that must eat their food to get energy Examples: protists, fungi, animals, you! AKA : Consumers

26 Types of Heterotrophs Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore Scavenger Decomposer

27 Herbivore = organism that only eats plants Herbivore

28 Carnivore Carnivore = organism that eats meat/other animals

29 Omnivore Omnivore = organism that survives by eating both plants and animals

30 Scavengers Scavenger = organisms that eat dead material

31 Decomposer Decomposer = organisms that break down organic matter

32 How is the flow of energy shown? Energy flow is shown with a food chain or food web.

33 Food Chain vs. Food Web What do you think the difference(s) might be?

34 Food Chain Food Chains follow a single path of consumption!

35 Food Web Food webs show multiple pathways! ALL the possible paths energy could take! What food relationships do you see taking place in the web to the left?

36 Chemical Cycles

37 What are nutrients? If nutrients are made of matter, can we create or destroy nutrients? Matter (and nutrients) cannot be created nor destroyed!

38 Of what substance are all living things made? Carbon and other nutrients! Nutrients = substances (elements/compounds) that are needed for life

39 How are nutrients cycled through ecosystems? Nutrients cycle between living and nonliving factors in the environment Matter is constantly recycled never lost! What kinds of nutrients/chemicals are cycled in ecosystems?

40 What processes involve carbon? Carbon Cycle = the movement of carbon from living things into the atmosphere and back Involves: plants, animals, and atmosphere

41 Carbon Cycle All living things are made of carbon Where can you find carbon on earth? How does it move/cycle around?

42 Carbon Cycle

43 Carbon Cycle Terms Photosynthesis = plants take in carbon and water and energy from the sun release oxygen and sugar (glucose-food) Respiration = cells take in oxygen and sugar (glucose-food) release carbon and water and energy! Eating = organisms use carbon in food to gain energy for growth

44 Carbon Cycle Terms Atmospheric CO2 = carbon dioxide in atmosphere (comes from fuel combustion, burning, respiration) Dissolved CO2 = carbon dioxide in bodies of water (comes from respiration of bacteria and fish)

45 Carbon Cycle Terms Fuel combustion = burning fossil fuels Fossil fuels = hydrocarbons that form from life forms millions of years ago (petroleum, natural gas, oil shale, tar sands)

46 Closed Carbon Cycle Closed carbon cycle = carbon burned originated in atmosphere and can be replaced within a human lifetime Example: burning wood, biofuel Cellulose ethanol Biodiesel Wood chips Torrification/gassification

47 Open Carbon Cycle Open carbon cycle = carbon burned cannot be replaced within a human lifetime Example: burning fossil fuels

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49 Chemical Cycles Continued

50 Nitrogen Cycle Where do you use nitrogen? 78% of the air in the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen Why do we have to give plants nitrogen in fertilizer? Nitrogen must be converted to a USABLE form!

51 Nitrogen Cycle

52 Nitrogen Cycle Terms Nitrogen fixer = bacteria that converts nitrogen from the atmosphere into nitrogen in the soil (usable form) for other plants to use Urea = nitrogenous waste released from animals in urine; puts nitrogen back in soil Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria: 7cc

53 Life in a community How do plants and animals survive where they live? Various combinations of abiotic and biotic factors interact around the world. What does this mean about the different communities around the world?

54 Limiting Factor Limiting Factor = any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms Examples: availability of water/food, predators, temperature Recall that the carrying capacity is the maximum population size of species that environment can sustain, given food, habitat, water and other necessities are available in environment Carrying Capacity:

55 Food production (mg of glucose) What is the limiting factor? Food Production in Saltbush (Altriplex) Temperature and Food Production Temperature (C)

56 Can factors indirectly affect populations? Lack of rain prevents grass from producing seeds Can this indirectly affect another population (other than just the grass?)

57 Ranges of tolerance What does corn need to survive? What if corn is grown in the shade what will this do to the crop? Tolerance = the ability of an organism to withstand fluctuations in biotic and abiotic environmental factors

58 Food production (mg of glucose) What is the range of tolerance? 16 Food Production in Saltbush (Altriplex) Temperatu re and Food Production Temperature (C)

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60 Succession Changes Over Time

61 Succession: Changes Over Time If you stopped cutting the grass in your front yard, what would happen? In 1 year? 5 years? 90 years?

62 Succession Ecological Succession = the orderly, natural changes and species replacements that take place in the communities of an ecosystem Occurs in stages Each stage has different plants and animals Conditions of each stage are suitable for some organisms but not others

63 Succession Can you observe succession? It can take decades or even centuries to observe 2 types of succession: Primary succession Secondary succession

64 Primary Succession Primary succession = the colonization of barren land by communities of organisms Land must have: No living organisms Example: island forming/land after lava flow Pioneer species = first species to take hold in an area Example: lichen Different organisms (usually algae, bacteria, Fungus), that allow it to mutuallistically survive harsh conditions

65 Primary Succession What happens to the pioneer species (lichen, moss) over time? Decaying lichen and sediment develop soil Soil small plants Small plants die more soil bigger plants Over time the primary succession slows down and the community becomes stable

66 Ecological Succession

67 Climax Community Climax community = stable, mature community that undergoes little or no change in species May last for 100 s of years *** If its stable, does it still change?*** YES! but the changes are balanced!

68 Secondary Succession What if there s a fire that destroys a community? What if a field isn t replanted? What if a building is demolished and nothing is built on the site?

69 Secondary Succession Secondary succession = the sequence of changes that takes place after an existing community is severely disrupted in some way What are some possible disruptions?

70 Secondary Succession What does secondary succession have that primary does not? SOIL! Will the species be the same? Will secondary succession still reach climax community status? Which will get there faster? (primary or secondary?)

71 What does the sudden drop in series 1 represent? High Species Biodiversity Series 2 Series 1 Low Time -->

72 BIOMES

73 The biosphere, as you know, comprises all life on Earth Biome = a major biological community that occurs over a large area A BIG group of LIVING things Different kinds of species BIOMES

74 How are biomes commonly identified? Biomes are commonly identified by the Biome s dominant plant species

75 2 major kinds of BIOMES Aquatic WATER Examples: Ocean Creek River Terrestrial LAND Examples: Forest Desert Grasslands

76 3 kinds of Aquatic Biomes Saltwater Ocean Marine Salt Lakes Estuary Mix of fresh and saltwater Marsh/ICW Freshwater Pond, lake, river

77 Aquatic Biomes and LIGHT LIGHT is a major resource when talking about aquatic biomes. 2 zones based on the AMOUNT of light: Photic light shallow water Aphotic no light deep water

78 2 most important factors in 1. Temperature determining the BIOME 2. Amount of Precipitation

79 6 major Terrestrial Biomes Tundra Taiga Temperate Forest Grassland Desert Tropical Rain Forest

80 Biomes: Where in the world?

81 Tundra Northern/Polar regions Very cold temperatures (long winter/short summer) Permafrost = permanent layer of frost in the ground only small plants can grow

82 Taiga Mountainous regions with mostly conifers Cold winters, cool/short summer Conifer = mainly pines

83 Temperate Forest Clearly defined seasons Mild winters/warm summers Some conifers, but mostly deciduous trees Deciduous Tree = tree that loses its leaves in the fall (oak, maple)

84 Grassland Dry summer/cool winter Mostly grasses and shrubs Grazing animals AKA savannah

85 Desert Very little rain (<3cm/yr) Hot days/cold nights Animal adaptations: Nocturnal = move/hunt at night to avoid heat Burrow = live in hole to avoid heat Must conserve water!

86 Rains almost daily Located very close to equator (most sun) No seasons Tropical Rainforest Most biodiverse : greatest variety of organisms in an area

87 As you can see, Biomes are classified by both Abiotic and Biotic factors! Each biome has different: Temperature Rainfall Altitude Latitude Types of plants and animals

88 Biome Booklet Time! This booklet should be directed toward 5 th graders. Your goal is to educate them on the six different terrestrial (land) biomes: Tundra, Taiga, Desert, Grasslands, Temperate Forest, and Tropical Rain Forest. Try to find creative and interesting ways to represent the following information using one page per biome.

89 Biome Booklet Global location/ Description Climate/ Seasonal Extremes Average rainfall Animals (minimum of 2) Plants (minimum of 1-2) Describe at least one adaptation for plants AND animal in each biome Interesting facts (minimum of 2) **Include a decorative cover for your brochure!!!*** Use pictures/drawings/collage***

90 Biodiversity and Conservation

91 What is biodiversity? Bio = life Diversity = differences among organisms Biodiversity = the variety of living organisms found in an area

92 Biodiversity varies around the world: Do you see a pattern? Number of species of mammals: Canada 163 US 367 Mexico 439 In one hectare of forest you are likely to find: Peru 300 tree species US 30 tree species or less

93 Why is biodiversity important? Organisms are adapted to live together! Ecologists know many relationships many have yet to be discovered Biodiversity decreases competition, and increases the amount of genetic material in the environment!

94 What is meant by the phrase Life depends on life? Animals need plants Plants couldn t exist without animals to pollinate Plants need decomposers to break down nutrients Living things create niches for other living things!

95 Importance to People What does biodiversity offer to Humans? Biodiversity gives humans: Oxygen Diverse diet Materials (clothes, furniture, buildings) Medicinal supplies (world pharmacy) Penicillin cam from the mold Penicillium Antimalarial drug came from the cinchona tree Preserving biodiversity ensures there will be living things to use in the future!

96 Loss of Biodiversity Extinct Endangered Threatened Disappearance of a species numbers so low that extinction is possible Population declining rapidly Ex) Dodo Bird, Tasmanian tiger Ex) Peregrine Falcon, Black Footed Ferret Ex) Polar Bear, Boreal Toad

97 Threats to Biodiversity Species are usually well adapted to their habitats What happens when these habitats are changed?

98 Habitat Loss Habitat loss = removal/disappearance of habitat Effect: organism are displaced (must go somewhere else) Ex: deer in your yard bears in garbage

99 Habitat Fragmentation Habitat fragmentation = obstruction (road, development, etc) that separates a habitat into sections Example: Road through a forest prevents animals/plants from moving to other side

100 Habitat Fragmentation Can cause problems with Migration island effect or smaller less biodiversity Invasion of exotic species Lack of reintroduction after fires Changes is climate Edge effect

101 Habitat Fragmentation Edge Effect= changes along ecosystem boundaries

102 Habitat Degradation= to make a habitat unlivable

103 Habitat Degradation: Pollution Pollution can be air, water, or land Examples: Acid Precipitation CFC s in atmosphere

104 Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species Do not belong in habitat Few/no predators in new habitat Reproduce/spread out of control

105 Introduction of Exotic/Invasive Species Kudzu

106 Conservation of Biodiversity Conservation biology = a new field that studies methods and implements plans to protect biodiversity Effective strategies are based on ecological principles Many species are threatened because of people, so working with humans is a major part of conservation biology

107 Legal Protection US Endangered Species Act CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)

108 Habitat Preservation

109 Habitat Preservation What does it mean to be sustainable? Sustainable use = using resources wisely waste less Habitat Corridors = connect pieces of land to overcome habitat fragmentation

110 Preservation What does a reintroduction program try to do? Example: California condors What does a zoo/captivity aim to do? What is a seed bank?

111 Preservation Captivity under human control Reintroduction putting species back in natural environment

112 What kinds of problems are there with reintroduction? Animals may lose natural instinct Loss of natural instincts is harder on animals than plants What kinds of problems might plant reintroductions have?