An Ecosystem through the eyes of a Wildlife Biologist

1. What do we know so far?2. Ecosystem Type3. Biodiversity4. Abundance5. Consistency6. Data Collection

1. Review

• So Far, we have examined the ecosystem in parts:

Lithosphere

Biotic Factors

Abiotic FactorsPredator

PreyCarbonNitrogen

Hydrogen

Oxygen

BiosphereHydrosphere

Atmosphere

Wildlife biologists do the same thing, but in a defined ecosystem

Question 1: Draw a picture OR write 5—6 sentences showing your understanding of an ecosystem. Show how the parts interact and how

matter cycles through.

2. Ecosystem Types

• To be very BASIC, we can focus on two SIMPLE ecosystems:

AQUATIC TERRESTRIAL

Question 2: What types of ecosystems exist in the city limits of Seaside?

STRETCH BREAK!!!

• Take 30 seconds• Stand • Stretch• Get your blood flowing!

3. Biodiversity

• Wildlife Biologists can assess the health of an ecosystem by measuring it’s Biodiversity, or variety of life in a given area

But to understand biodiversity, you have to first understand what a species is.

A species is a group of living organisms that can interbreed.

Examples of species include, blue

whales, white-tailed deer, white pine

trees, sunflowers and microscopic

bacteria that you cannot even see

with your eye. Biodiversity includes the full

range of species that live in an

area.

3b. Why is Biodiversity important?

Biodiversity allows for ecosystems to adjust to disturbances like extreme fires and floods. If a reptile species goes extinct, a forest with 20 other reptiles is likely to adapt better than another forest with only one reptile.

It allows for genetic diversity. Genetic diversity prevents diseases and helps species adjust to changes in their environment.

Biodiversity is an important part of ecological services that make life livable on Earth. They include everything from cleaning water and absorbing chemicals, which wetlands do, to providing oxygen for us to breathe—one of the many things that plants do for people.

Question 3. Draw OR describe what you could INFER from this statement: Researchers have estimated that there are between 3 and 30 million

species on Earth…but scientists have only identified 1.7 million.

STRETCH BREAK!!!

• Take 30 seconds• Stand • Stretch• Get your blood flowing!

4. Abundance

• One of the most straightforward factors that a Wildlife Biologist can measure is species abundance in an ecosystem

• species abundance is the number of individuals counted within the study area

Species might be MORE ABUNDANT or LESS ABUNDANT in an area depending on resource availability.

I mean think about it, if it was safer and easier for you to accessfood under one particular bush in a forest, you would probably stay there! That would become your niche

4b. Use of different Niches

• Starting next week, we will go out to the Heights, where we will capture, mark, and release shrews, mice, voles, and squirrels

• When we do this we will be mimicking Wildlife Biologists by researching two things: – Species Abundance (how many individuals?)– Niche Preference(do they like one spot more than another?)

Question 4: What are some similarities between what you have just learned about what wildlife biologists do, and the Lizard Field School clip

5. Consistency

• It is almost impossible to guarantee to count every single individual of a species in an ecosystem

• SO• Wildlife Biologists have devised tools

and systems to conduct a survey in a given area

• BUT• They must maintain consistency

throughout the survey in order for their data to be usable

5b. What to do

• Date, time, location at the beginning of every data collection

• Stick to even transects• Clearly mark the survey points• Maintain organization at each survey point• Avoid disturbing the environment in order to

maintain usable data

STRETCH BREAK!!!

• Take 30 seconds• Stand • Stretch• Get your blood flowing!

6. Data Collection

• We will use the transects set up by Ms. Kruger• Survey Points will be set up within each transect• There will be one Sherman Trap at each Survey Point• I will handle the mammal• You will:

– Identify the species– Measure length– Measure weight– Hand me the ear tag– Then, I will release the mammal

• Other class periods will return to the site to see if we re-capture any individuals

Question 5: Draw or Describe what two things we will measure in the Small Mammal Survey

Hantavirus

Infection with hantavirus can progress to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can be fatal. People become infected through contact with hantavirus-infected rodents or their urine and droppings. The Sin Nombre hantavirus, first recognized in 1993, is one of several New World hantaviruses circulating in the US. Old World hantaviruses, found in Asia, can cause Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS). Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection. All cases of Hantavirus infection are reported to the CDC.

-Taken from cdc.org

HOMEWORK:

• Put your note guide into your take home folder and re-read it tonight

• THEN, write a short summary on what you know based on the notes (you can list terms as well)

• Option: if writing is not your strong point, you can create a diagram or chart, but it should convey the same amount of information as declared by the rubric:

• Rubric:• 1 paragraph=✓• 2 paragraphs=✓+• 3 paragraphs=+