Introduction to Ecology

EcologyThe science of interconnected relationships

Crash Course BiologyEcology Rules for living on earth. Crash Course biology #40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izRvPaAWgywEcologyThe study of organisms and their interrelationships with their environment (biotic and abiotic) upon which determine distribution and abundance of organisms.

EcosystemAn interacting system that consists of groups of organisms and their non-living environment with in a boundary.

OrganismAn individual living thingSpeciesA Group of the same organisms that are able to breed and produce fertile organisms.

Organism

Levels of Biological OrganizationIt is important to remember that allparts of an ecosystem are interrelated.Each part is affected by all other parts.

If we remove or add one species from an ecosystem, there could be severe consequences for that ecosystem.

Question:With a partner, answer the following question:If we remove all the spiders from a given ecosystemWho do you think would benefit?What would happen to their population?Who would be affected then?

AnswerThe insect population will grow rapidly and destroy forest and crops.

Levels of OrganizationEcologists tend to label groups of organisms. Lets look at a familiar setting for example: Your house is part of a town, this is part of a state, which is part of a country, which is part of a continent.Levels of Organization Cont.No individual organism lives completely on its own. Organisms may live with other individuals of the same species to form a population.Several populations living together make up a community.Several communities in a given area make up a biome.Organization Cont.Collectively, all the biomes of the planet earth make up the biosphere.Again, the most basic level of ecological organization is the individual/species.A group of individuals of the same species make up a population.A community is all the populations of living organisms in an area.

Levels of organization

Parts of an EcosystemAbioticBioticBiodiversityKeystone Species

Objective: Students will know that an ecosystem includes both biotic and abiotic factors AND that changing one factor in an ecosystem can affect many other factors.Two parts of an EcosystemBiotic and AbioticBiotic Factors that are or were alive/living in an ecosystem.Examples: animals, plants, insects, bacteria, fungi, and dead organisms.

Abiotic

Factors in an environment that are not or never were alive.Examples: rock island, gases, water, sun, minerals and temperature.

KEY CONCEPT Every ecosystem includes both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) factors.

19Biotic factors are living things.plantsanimalsfungibacteria

20Abiotic factors are nonliving things. moisturetemperaturewindsunlight soil

21List the biotic and abiotic factors in this pictureShare with your neighbors

Every ecosystem contains biotic and abiotic factors

Biodiversity is the assortment, or variety, of living things in an ecosystem.

Rain forests have more biodiversity than other locations in the world, but are threatened by human activities. (50% of the worlds plant and animals species are here)23

Biodiversity has to do with:

Number of species NOT Population number

Extinctions lower biodiversity!!!

Keystone SpeciesA keystone species is a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem. Ex: A beaverTheir removal from the ecosystem may cause a ripple effect felt across an entire ecosystem

With a partner, come up with some ideas about how putting a beaver into an area might change the ecosystem

keystone

26By felling trees to construct dams, Beavers:Change free flowing streams into ponds, wetlands, and meadowsLead to an overall increase in biodiversity

creation ofwetlandecosystemincreased waterfowlPopulationincreased fishpopulationnesting sites for birdskeystone species27More variety of fish- Fish attract birdsInsects inhabit pond and dead trees along the shore- Insects attract birdsAnimals that prey on birds are attracted to the pond

creation ofwetlandecosystemincreased waterfowlPopulationincreased fishpopulationnesting sites for birdskeystone species28Other keystone species

Food Chains and Food WebsWhere we are and how we got here!!!The History of Life on Earth: Crash Course Biology Ecology #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjE-Pkjp3u4&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNdTKZkV_GiIYXpV9w4WxbXCrash Course BiologyEcosystem Ecology: links in the chain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6ubvEJ3KGMWhat is a food chain?A food chain is a sequence of organisms, each of which uses the next, lower member of the sequence as a food source

Important facts about food chainsIn a food chain each organism obtains energy from the one at the level below.Plants are called producers because they create their own food through photosynthesisAnimals are consumers because they cannot create their own food, they must eat plants or other animals to get the energy that they need. Primary ProducersPrimary producers are organisms capable of producing their own foodWe can also say that they are photosynthetic, use light energy. Examples of primary producers include algae, phytoplankton, and large plants.Primary producers are eaten by primary consumers (herbivores)Primary Producers of wetlands

http://www.nicerweb.com/doc/class/pix/PRAIRIE/2005_07_18/Typha_angustifolia.jpgCattails

Marsh Mallowhttp://www.ncdot.org/doh/Operations/dp_chief_eng/roadside/wildflowerbook/graphics/images/page14a.jpg

http://www.ontariowildflower.com/images/blueflag2.jpgBlue Flag Iris

http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?SpCode=THEPALvPUBMarsh FernFour types of consumerHerbivores: animals that eat only plantsCarnivores: animals that eat only other animals.Omnivores: animals that eat animals and plants.Detritivores: Animals that eat dead materials and organic wastes Other Ways to Classify ConsumersPrimary Consumers: Herbivores.

Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat herbivores.

Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat other carnivores.

Primary Consumers in MarshesMuskrat (eats mostly Cattails)

http://www.advancedwildlifecontrolllc.com/images/muskrat.jpg

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/graphics/muskrat1.jpgPrimary Consumers in MarshesWood Duck eats seeds from plants that live in a wetland

http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks/lib/ccparks/wood_duck_pair.jpgPrimary Consumers in MarshesGlassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper eats leaves of plants like cattail and pickerelweed

http://bugguide.net/node/view/41662Secondary ConsumersBlack Rat Snake eats eggs of animals like wood duck

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/tate/Terms.htmSecondary ConsumersSwamp Sparrow eats seeds but also insects like the toothpick grasshopper

http://www.jeaniron.ca/2007/SwampSparrow6645.jpgTertiary ConsumersEat other animals in marsh including snake and sparrowwww.audubon.org www.montereybay.com

Osprey

OmnivoreRacoon eats seeds, fruits, insects, worms, fish, and frogs and pretty much anything else they can get their paws on!

http://abouttitusville.com/BobPaty/Animals/images/Racoon.jpgDetritivoreA decomposer eats dead or dying organisms.

What is a food web?A food web is an interlocking pattern of food chains2

Habitat & NicheWhere you live and what you do

HabitatA place where an organism lives or can be found.

Habitat and NicheEach organism confronts the challenge of survival in a different way.The niche an organism occupies is the sum of all the ways it utilizes the resources of its environment.Part of this role may be played as the predator and part may be played as the prey.NicheA niche may be described in terms of space utilization, food consumption, temperature range and mating requirements. An organisms niche would also take into account its behavior. You can think of an organisms niche as its job/role in the environment.

NicheExample: Snakes eat mice and other birds and rodents but snakes are also eaten by birds of prey and mice eat grasshoppers and other insects.

NicheA beaver is an ecosystem engineer. It cuts down trees and dams up a river which will flood the forest with a pond. Eventually the trees will dies, new species of plants and wildlife will arrive to take advantage of the new conditions. Eventually, this forest will become a meadow. The beavers NICHE is the role it plays in shaping the environment. But it is also a main prey species for predators.

HabitatNiche is not synonymous with habitat. Habitat is a place, niche is a pattern of living. Habitat is the address and niche is the job or occupation. If two organisms have the same habitat and similar niches, they will compete with each other over the available resources. (food- water -shelter)

HabitatCompetition is the struggle between two organisms within their habitat.If a species can avoid competing they may co-exist. But if they compete, one will eventually drive the other out of the habitat, unless they have slightly different niches.Example: times of activity

Different Niches to avoid competiton:Nocturnal active at night

Diurnal - active during the day

Crepuscular active at dawn and dusk

Different Niches to avoid competiton: contMigration moving from one area to another to use resources

Hibernation reducing activity severely for a period of time.

Niche & HabitatLion king videohttps://sciencewithmsbarton.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/thinking-about-habitats-and-niches/58Predator & Prey RelationshipsIm coming to get you!!!

Predator Prey RelationshipsBe able to describe the relationship between predators and their prey.Be able to explain the shape of a predator prey graph.

Learning ObjectivesFood web - InterdependenceIf the mouse is considered a pest and baited, find as many effects on the food web as you can, in 3 minutes.

StarterFood web Interdependence and that was a simplified food web. Imagine the interactions in a less simplified web. Do you think the bobcat would be affected if the mosquito larvae were destroyed as a malaria risk?

Food web - Interdependence or even a more complete web again.

Population SizeTo do: Draw a concept map of what effects the size of a population.POPULATION SIZEFoodplenty of foodpopulation growsfood shortagepopulation fallsDiseaseovercrowdingincreased aggression / competition for resourcesincrease in predatorsDecrease in predatorsPredators

Animals that eat other animalsWhat are animals that eat other animals called?Populations of animals are often limited by the amount of food.What are the animals that predators eat called?

predatorsprey

To do: Define the words Predator and Prey and give an example of each.

Predators are adapted to catching and consuming their prey. Predator and prey adaptationsPrey have adaptations to detect and prevent being eaten by predators. How are predators and prey adapted to survive?

predators

prey

camouflage

mimicryvenomous coral snake

scarlet kingsnakespeed & keen senses

warning colors & patterns

Prey Adaptations GeneralPrey have adaptations to detect and prevent being eaten by predators.Predator Adaptations GeneralPredators have adaptations to catch and consume their prey.

birds of prey have keen eyesight and sharp beaks and talons

venomous snakes have poisonous venom to subdue their prey

camouflage allows predators to blend in with their surroundings

kingsnakes are immune to the venom of venomous snakestreefrogs have special pads on their feet so they can cling to vertical surfaces

Can you find the camouflaged predators?

12345678Some predator and prey adaptations are the same.Predator & Prey adaptations -EyesThe eyes of predators face forwards. This gives them good depth perception allowing them to judge distances well. Can focus on a single point.The eyes of prey are located on the side of the head. This allows them to see to the side and rear while eating, without moving their head. Some prey have almost 360 vision.

The Lynx and the Snowshoe hareThis is the most common example of the predator prey relationship.

Prey Adaptations Snowshoe HareThe snowshoe hare lives in northern parts of North America. How is it adapted to the cold and to avoid being eaten by predators, such as lynxes?Large back feet spread out to act as snow shoes.Fur on the soles alsoprotects from the cold. Large ears help to detect predators.Coat changes colour with the seasons from greyish-brown in summer to white in midwinter.Strong teeth are able to chew bark and twigs.

Predator adaptations the lynxLynxes are adapted to life in a cold climate. How are these predators adapted for catching the snowshoe hares that are their main prey? Extra large paws act as snow shoes on soft, Very strong hind leg muscles are capable of a pounce 6.5 metres long!Excellent eyesight and hearing for detecting prey.

Thick furry coat protects from the cold.Very sharp teeth prey watch out!deep snow.Predatorprey graph

These graphs are a common exam question. You should know that:There are always more prey than predators.The prey always increases before the predators do.To do: Write down how you could tell which line is the predator and which is the prey on a graph. Explain why the predator increases after the prey.Predatorprey graphThis population data comes from fur trapping records. How are the populations linked?

Predatorprey graphHow does the lynx population depend on the number of snowshoe hares?050estimated population size (thousands)180018201840186018801900100150lynxsnowshoe haretime (year)Take a closer look at this part of the graph.

Predatorprey graph sectionWhy does the peak for the lynx population always come after the peak for the number of snowshoe hares?050estimated population size (thousands)1850185518601865100150lynxsnowshoe haretime (year)For the populations to survive, there will always be more hares than lynxes.

Predator and prey population sizes follow a cycle.What happens if the prey population increases? normal prey populationprey populationincreases

prey population increasespredator population increases as more food

predator population decreasesas less food

prey population decreasesbecause of more predators

Predatorprey cyclePredator and prey population sizes follow a cycle.What happens if the prey population decreases? normal prey populationPredatorprey cycle prey population increasesbecause of less predators

prey population decreasespredator population increases as more food

predator population decreasesas less food

prey populationdecreases

The population of any species is normally limited by the amount of food available.If the population of the prey increases, then so will the population of the _______.However, as the population of predators increases, the number of prey _______.Your turn

ExampleMore grass means more ______.More rabbits means more _____But more foxes means less ______.Eventually, less rabbits will mean ____ foxes again.predatorsdecreasesrabbitsfoxesrabbitslessPredator Prey RelationshipsBe able to describe the relationship between predators and their prey.Be able to explain the shape of a predator prey graph.

Are you now able to.Mutualism: Clownfish & sea anemoneBoth organisms derive mutual benefitIntimate and obligatoryNeither can survive for long periods without the other

82Mutualism: Oxpeckers Clean Rhinoceros; Anemones Protect and Feed Clownfish

83Parasitism: Tapeworm and HumansParasite lives on or in the host and benefits at the expense of the host

Parasitism: Tree with Parasitic Mistletoe, Trout with Blood-Sucking Sea Lampreys

85Commensalism: Flatworms and horseshoe crabsOnly one member benefitssharing space, defense, shelter, foodFlatworms that live on the gills of horseshoe crabs obtain food from the host, but do not negatively affect the host

Commensalism: Bromiliad Roots on Tree Trunk Without Harming Tree

87ClimateDefinition?The overriding factor that determines the general nature of an ecosystem. If the climate is always hot and dry, the soil will be sandy. The plants, animals and other life will be specially adapted for survival in a desert.

Climate cont.If the climate is hot and moist, then there will be many trees, characteristic of a Rainforest. Some animals and insects will be adapted for living in trees. They are called arboreal and include monkeys and spiders.

Organization Cont.The boundary of a community is determined by the distribution of its members.The boundary of one community is not necessarily the boundary of another community. We say these communities overlap.

Organization Cont.A biome is a large geographical area with a similar climate.

BiosphereThe biosphere is the region on Earth where all life exists.

BibliographyPictures by Microsoft ClipArt

mjdestiny.blogspot.com