Ecology

EcologyChapters 3,4 & 63.1 What is ecology?Ecology- the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.*Turn to your partner and describe an interaction between two organisms.Now describe an example of an organism interacting with its environment.3.1 What is ecology?Studying ecology can be as simple as examining a single organism, or as complex as the biosphere.Biosphere- contains all of Earth including the land, water, air, atmosphere and all of the organisms on Earth.3.1 What is ecology?Scientists can study the following levels of organization from most simple to most complex:Individual organismSpecies-A group of organisms that is genetically similar and can breed together to produce fertile offspring.Populations-A group of the same species that live in the same area (ex. a herd)3.1 What is ecology?4. Communities- several populations in the same area (ex. Different herds/packs in the same state).5. Ecosystem-all of the organisms that live in a specific place along with all of their physical (nonliving) environment.6. Biome- a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar organisms.*Can you think of some examples of biomes? Excellent!Pics of biomes

3.2 Energy flowAutotrophs vs.HeterotrophsOrganisms that can take energy from the sun.Organisms that must consume other organisms for their energy.Known as producersKnown as consumersGo through photosynthesis and cellular respiration to release energy from sun.Go through cellular respiration to release energy from other organisms.

3.2 Energy flowFood for thought: Are you considered an autotroph if you are a vegetarian?3.2 Energy flowFood Chains vs.Food WebsA series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.The feeding relationships between various organisms which forms a network of complex interactions.Simple

Complex3.2 Energy flow

3.2 Energy flow

3.2 Energy flowTrophic level-is each step in a food chain/web.Producers always make up the first trophic level. Consumers make up the second, third, etc.Why do you think producers always come first?3.2 Energy flow10% Rule- Only about 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to an organism at the next trophic level.About 90% of the energy is lost as heat energy at each trophic level!3.2 Energy flowThe 10% rule can be seen easily as a pyramid.

3.2 Energy flow

3.2 Energy flowThe 10% rule also applies to biomass.Biomass- the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.

3.2 Energy flowPlants and algae form the bottom of the pyramid because there are more of them on Earth (they can acquire energy from the sun more efficiently than by eating other organisms).Conservation of energy- Energy can neither be created or destroyed (its just lost as heat!).3.3 Cycling of MatterUnlike energy matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.Matter-is any substance that takes up space. (even as small as an atom)Matter such as: water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus are cycled between the land, atmosphere and organisms.How could water cycle in this way? Write down an example.3.3 Cycling of Matter

3.3 Cycling of MatterCarbon is a key element for storing energy for all organisms in the form of carbohydrates.Carbon can be found in the atmosphere and oceans as CO2 .Consumers need plants to convert the CO2 in the atmosphere to carbohydrates.3.3 Cycling of MatterHow do organisms acquire energy from carbohydrates?They break the bonds in between the carbons.

4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?Most organisms find or evolve into a niche to avoid too much competition.A niche- is the full range of physical and biological conditions which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions.4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?For example:

4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?Organisms that live in the same communities also interact in many ways, much like you interact with neighbors. Some of the categories of interactions are:Competition, predation, symbiosis, mutualism, commensalism and parasitism.4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?Competition- occurs when organisms of the same or different species attempt to use the same ecological resource at the same time. (table in notes: interaction, human example, animal example)Predation- one organism captures and feeds on another organism.4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?3. Symbiosis- two species live closely together.a. mutualism- both species benefit from the relationship.b. commensalism- one member benefits the other is not helped or harmed.c. Parasitism- one organism lives on or inside the other and harms it.4.2 What Shapes an Ecosystem?Main idea: these interactions between different organisms and their environment can affect the size of their population. 5.1 How Populations GrowExponential Growth vs.Logistical GrowthOccurs when individuals reproduce at a constant rateOccurs when a populations growth slows or stops after a period of exponential growth.Usually occurs under ideal conditions with unlimited resources. Limited by carrying capacity- the max number of individuals an environment can support.5.1 How Populations GrowExponential Growth

5.1 How Populations GrowLogistical Growth

5.1 How Populations Grow

5.1 How Populations GrowFood for thought: If the rate of reproduction is constant, then why does the population shoot up over time?What are some factors that might limit population growth in a logistic growth pattern?6.3 BiodiversityBiodiversity- the sum total of the genetically based variety of all organisms in the biosphere.Ecosystem diversity- the variety of habitats and communities in the world.Species diversity- the number of different species in the world.Genetic diversity- all of the ways that organisms differ genetically (within their DNA).

6.3 BiodiversityWhy do we need a variety of organisms on Earth?Provide humans with food, products, clothing, medicines, etc.When one species becomes extinct it may affect many other species (think food web!).When a species becomes extinct we will never know its hidden potential (i.e. drugs).6.3 BiodiversityHuman activity can reduce biodiversity by:Give an example of each-Altering habitats Hunting to extinctionIntroducing toxins to a food webIntroducing foreign species6.3 BiodiversityAltering habitats- when humans/nature alters or destroys the habitat that an organism lives in.

6.3 Biodiversityb. Hunting to extinctionNow illegal to hunt to extinction.Hunting protected species is called poaching.Ex: carrier/passenger pigeons hunted to extinction in early 1900s.

6.3 Biodiversity (pg. 151)Extinct speciesBothEndangered species6.3 Biodiversityc. Pollution/toxinsMany forms of pollution can affect biodiversity such as smog, acid rain, garbage and agricultural runoff.Biological magnification- when concentrations of harmful substances increase in higher trophic levels. Example: DDT pesticide.

6.3 Biodiversityd. Introduced speciesHumans sometimes unknowingly transport food/plants/animals from other parts of the world, which can upset the local food web.Sometimes organisms are purposely introduced to control another species.Invasive species- Organisms that when introduced to a new habitat reproduce rapidly and threaten local species.Invasive species

6.3 BiodiversityFood for thought: What could cause a species to grow exponentially in a new habitat when they did not in their habitat?

6.3 BiodiversityExample of invasive species: Zebra muscles. Arrived via ship into the Great Lake in the 1980s.

6.3 BiodiversityWhat can we do to protect biodiversity?Conservation- wise management of natural resources including the preservation of habitats and wildlife.6.3 BiodiversityStrategies for Conservation:Protecting entire ecosystemsCaptive breeding programs (zoos)Protected areas- national/state parksBan hunting of endangered speciesEnforce environmental laws

6.3 BiodiversityChallenges:Financial hardship on businesses (catch 22 because if not protected may not be there to use, i.e. fishing industry).Economic costs to enforce laws.

6.4 The FutureToday much of the Earths land surface has been altered by human activities.

6.4 The futureOne major change is a decrease in the ozone layer.The ozone layer is a concentration of gases about 20-50 kilometers above the Earth.It helps protect the Earth against some of the UV radiation from the sun.

6.4 The FutureIn the 1970s it was discovered that a product called CFCs were responsible for much of the damage done to the ozone layer.CFCs were banned in products like hairsprays and refrigerators.

6.4 The FutureAnother way humans have affected the biosphere is through greenhouse gases.Greenhouse gases are pollutants released by cars, factories and homes such as: Carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor.When these gases are released into the atmosphere they can form a layer around the Earth which traps the suns heat close to the surface. This is called the greenhouse effect.6.4 The Future

Greenhouse effect and global warming.6.4 The FutureSo what if it gets warmer, I like summer!Melting glaciers= sea levels will rise.Which meansIncreased temperatures= affects growing season.Which meansSome organisms may not be able to adjust to their new climate.Which means

6.4 The FuturePartner up and brainstorm 3 ways that humans can Decrease our affect on the environmentFix the damage that has already been done.