© lisa michalek. ecology the study of the interactions between organisms and the living and...
TRANSCRIPT
© Lisa Michalek
EcologyThe study of the interactions between
organisms and the living and nonliving components of their environment.
An Ecologist is a scientist who studies Ecology.
Ecology InvolvesCollecting information about organisms and their environment.
Looking for patterns.Seeking to explain these patterns.
Environmental OrganizationIn Ecology, organisms and the
environment are studied at various ecological levels.
Each level includes different factors.PopulationCommunityEcosystemBiosphere
Environmental OrganizationPopulation
A population includes all the members of a species found in a given area.
The dandelion species in your lawn is an example of a population.
Environmental OrganizationCommunity
A community includes all the populations in a given area.
Your lawn has populations of dandelions, grasses, earthworms, and other living things.
These populations together make up a lawn community.
Environmental OrganizationEcosystem
A community (all the living things) and the physical environment (air, water, soil) interacting and functioning together make up an ecosystem.
Examples of ecosystems include your lawn, a balanced aquarium, ponds, vacant lots, woodlots, salt marshes, and forests.
Environmental OrganizationBiosphere
The biosphere is the portion of the earth in which life exists.
It is very large and includes many complex ecosystems.
Stable Ecosystem Requirements An ecosystem can support itself and is
stable when the following requirements are met.
1. There must be a constant supply of energy. The sun is the primary source
of energy for life on Earth.
2. There must be living organisms that can incorporate the energy into organic compounds.
3. There must be a recycling of materials between organisms and the environment.
Ecosystem ComponentsAbiotic Factors
The nonliving parts of the environment.They directly affect the ability of organisms to live and reproduce.
These factors vary from one place to another.
Abiotic factors may act as limiting factors. Limiting factors determine the numbers and kinds of organisms that can inhabit an ecosystem.
Abiotic FactorsLightClimate (Temperature)Slope of the landType of SoilSoil chemistry (Minerals)Surface and ground waterAir
Ecosystem ComponentsBiotic Factors
All the living things that directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem.
Biotic factors interact with other living organisms and with the physical environment.
Biotic FactorsProducers
Any plant that manufactures food by photosynthesis.Green plants are producers.
ConsumersConsumers eat producers and/or other animals.
All animals are consumers.Decomposers
Decomposers break down dead organisms and make their materials available to other living things. Bacteria and fungi are examples of decomposers.
Ecosystem CharacteristicsAbiotic components combine to define the
environmental characteristics of the ecosystem.
Biotic components interact with each other to determine the success of life in the ecosystem.
Biotic components interact with Abiotic components to determine the overall characteristics of the ecosystem.
HabitatThe place in the ecosystem where an
organism lives.An organism’s habitat is determined by
abiotic and biotic factors. The factors an organism needs to survive
determine where it lives.Example: An earthworm’s habitat is moist
soil.
NicheAn organism’s role in the ecosystem.Includes feeding habits, where it lives in the
ecosystem, reproductive behavior, and contribution to its surroundings.Example: In a pond, a snail scrapes algae
from the leaves and stems of plants.
BiomeA geographical area described by its
climate, plants, and animals.The temperature and moisture in a
biome determines which plants will grow there.
Biomes may be terrestrial (land) or aquatic (water) biomes.
Land (terrestrial) BiomesPlant and Animal groups are determined by
the major climate zones of the earth.They are sometimes modified by local land
and water conditions.The presence or absence of water is a major
limiting factor.Climate conditions and communities are
affected bylatitude (distance north or south of the equator)
andaltitude (distance above or below sea level).
Terrestrial (Land) BiomesTundra (polar)
Taiga (coniferous forest)
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Tropical Rain Forest
Grassland (savanna)
Desert
Tundra(Polar)
Permanently frozen subsoil.Animals: Caribou, snowy owl, arctic foxesPlants: Lichens, mosses, grasses
Tundra Video
Taiga(Coniferous Forest)
Long, severe winters; summers with thawing of subsoil.
Animals: Moose, black bearPlants: Coniferous Trees (produce their seeds
in cones) spruce, fir, hemlock, cedar, and pine trees
Taiga Video
Temperate Deciduous
Forest
Moderate precipitation; cold winters, warm summers.
Animals: Gray squirrel, fox, deer, raccoonsPlants: Trees that shed leaves
(deciduous trees), oak, beech, maple, elm trees
Deciduous Forest Video
Tropical Rain Forest
Heavy rainfall; constant warmth.Animals: Snake, monkey, leopard, parrotsPlants: Many species of broad-leaved plants,
bamboo, fernsTropical Rain Forest Video
Grassland(Savanna)
Rainfall and temperature vary; strong prevailing winds.
Animals: Antelope, prairie dog, bison, hawksPlants: Grasses, cereal grains
Grassland (Savanna) Video
Desert
Little rainfall; extreme daily temperature changes.
Animals: Lizard, kangaroo rat, coyotes, camelsPlants: Drought-resistant shrubs and plants,
cactus
Desert Video
Water (aquatic) BiomesInclude marine (saltwater) and freshwater
biomes.Make up the largest ecosystem on earth.More than 70% of the earth’s surface is
covered by water, and more organisms live in water than live on land.
Water biomes are typically more stable than land biomes.
The temperature varies less because of the ability of water to absorb and hold heat.
Factors Affecting Water BiomesAmounts of available oxygen and
carbon dioxide.Temperature and light.Amounts of dissolved minerals
and suspended particles.
Aquatic (water) BiomesMarine
(saltwater)
Freshwater
Marine(saltwater)
Oceans, Intertidal ZonesHold large quantities of solar heatHelp to stabilize the earth’s atmosphereContain a constant supply of nutrients and dissolved saltsMuch of the photosynthesis on earth is carried out by
algae near the surface of the oceans and coastal waters.Light penetrates through water to a depth of 30 meters.
Photosynthesis does not occur at greater depths.
Freshwater
Less than 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh water.Ponds, Swamps, Lakes, Streams, and Rivers
will vary by:SizeSpeed of currentTemperatureConcentration of dissolved gasses and suspended
particlesRate of change