EcologyEcology

OverviewOverview Ecology is the study of Ecology is the study of

interactions of organisms interactions of organisms with each other and their with each other and their habitat.habitat. HabitatHabitat: area that is inhabited : area that is inhabited

by a particular species. by a particular species.

The environment of an The environment of an organism includes:organism includes: abiotic factorsabiotic factors: nonliving : nonliving

things like sunlight, climate, things like sunlight, climate, and geologyand geology

biotic factorsbiotic factors: living things : living things that share its habitat. that share its habitat.

What is abiotic in this picture?What is abiotic in this picture?

What is biotic in this picture?What is biotic in this picture?

What makes something What makes something Biotic (alive)?Biotic (alive)?

1.1. All living things are composed of one or more cells.All living things are composed of one or more cells.

2.2. Complex organization patterns are found in all living Complex organization patterns are found in all living organisms.organisms.

3.3. All organisms use energy.All organisms use energy.

4.4. All organisms have stable internal conditions which All organisms have stable internal conditions which must be maintained in order to remain alive.must be maintained in order to remain alive.

5.5. All organisms grow and change.All organisms grow and change.

6.6. All organisms reproduce in order to continue the All organisms reproduce in order to continue the species' life. species' life.

Energy and Matter FlowEnergy and Matter Flow Matter is recycled in ecosystems, with constant Matter is recycled in ecosystems, with constant

input of sunlight energy input of sunlight energy

What would happen to the What would happen to the buffalo and wolf if all the buffalo and wolf if all the grass died in this habitat? grass died in this habitat?

Feeding RelationshipsFeeding Relationships

Herbivores-Eat plants Herbivores-Eat plants (cows, grasshopper)(cows, grasshopper)

Carnivores- eat meatCarnivores- eat meat (wolf, snake)(wolf, snake)

Omnivores-eat both plants Omnivores-eat both plants and meat and meat (rat, human)(rat, human)

Detritivore - an organism that Detritivore - an organism that feeds on dead or wastefeeds on dead or waste (bacteria, fungi) (bacteria, fungi)

Autotrophs (Producers): Autotrophs (Producers): capture energy from the capture energy from the sun, convert to organic sun, convert to organic material (plants) material (plants)

Heterotrophs Heterotrophs (Consumers): eat other (Consumers): eat other

organisms organisms

Decomposers – cause Decomposers – cause decaydecay

Problem: What types of organisms Problem: What types of organisms are found on campus?are found on campus?

Hypothesis: I think I can find _____ Hypothesis: I think I can find _____ at school. at school.

Procedure: We will go outside and Procedure: We will go outside and observe the insects, animals, & observe the insects, animals, & plants.plants.

Wagner H.S. EcologyWagner H.S. Ecology

Wagner H.S. EcologyWagner H.S. EcologyDataData

Autotrophs: 1. ______, 2.______Autotrophs: 1. ______, 2.______

3._______, 4. _______3._______, 4. _______ Heterotrophs: Herbivore_________Heterotrophs: Herbivore_________

Carnivore_________Carnivore_________

Omnivore _________Omnivore _________

BONUS: Detrivore _________BONUS: Detrivore _________

ConclusionConclusion

I found….I found….

Energy flows between feeding Energy flows between feeding relationshipsrelationships Energy flows from the sun Energy flows from the sun

to autotrophs and then to to autotrophs and then to heterotrophs heterotrophs

Autotrophs get sunlight Autotrophs get sunlight energy and store it in energy and store it in organic compounds organic compounds

The energy stored by The energy stored by autotrophs can be passed autotrophs can be passed through an ecosystemthrough an ecosystem Arrows point in the Arrows point in the

direction of energy flowdirection of energy flow

Food ChainsFood Chains A food chain links A food chain links

all of the food all of the food chains in an chains in an ecosystem ecosystem togethertogether

Food WebsFood Webs A food web links all of the A food web links all of the

food chains in an ecosystem food chains in an ecosystem togethertogether

Who is the producer?Who is the producer? Leaves and berriesLeaves and berries Who is the PRIMARY Who is the PRIMARY

consumer?consumer? Grasshopper, mouse, rabbit, Grasshopper, mouse, rabbit,

& squirrel.& squirrel. Who is the Secondary Who is the Secondary

consumer?consumer? Fox, Frog, snake, Fox, Frog, snake,

&….MOUSE?&….MOUSE?

29 Which organisms in this food web can be described as both primary and secondary consumers?

F HawksG WeaselsH RaccoonsJ Mice

Problem: What types of organisms Problem: What types of organisms & feeding relationships are found & feeding relationships are found on campus?on campus?

Hypothesis: I think I can find _____ Hypothesis: I think I can find _____ at school. I think _____ eats ______.at school. I think _____ eats ______.

Procedure: We will go outside and Procedure: We will go outside and observe the insects, animals, & observe the insects, animals, & plants.plants.

Wagner H.S. EcologyWagner H.S. Ecology

Wagner H.S. EcologyWagner H.S. EcologyDataData

Producers: 1. ______, 2.______Producers: 1. ______, 2.______

3._______, 4. _______3._______, 4. _______ Primary Consumer: 1. ____, 2.____Primary Consumer: 1. ____, 2.____ Secondary Consumer: 1. __, 2. ___Secondary Consumer: 1. __, 2. ___

ConclusionConclusion

What did you find?What did you find? __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________ Create a food web with the organisms.Create a food web with the organisms.

Create a Food WebCreate a Food Web Pick any ten organisms.Pick any ten organisms.

Include & Identify the following:Include & Identify the following: Primary ProducersPrimary Producers Primary ConsumersPrimary Consumers Secondary ConsumersSecondary Consumers Tertiary ConsumersTertiary Consumers

ProducerSecondary/tertiary Consumer

Primary Consumer

Secondary Consumer

Secondary ConsumerSecondary/tertiary Consumer

Energy PyramidsEnergy Pyramids Pyramids are used to represent the available energy, Pyramids are used to represent the available energy,

amount of biomass, and populations in an ecosystemamount of biomass, and populations in an ecosystem

Percentage of energy passedPercentage of energy passed Lower trophic levels Lower trophic levels

of the food chain, of the food chain, web, or pyramid have web, or pyramid have more energy than top more energy than top levels levels

Only 10% of energy Only 10% of energy at one trophic level is at one trophic level is transferred to the transferred to the next levelnext level 10,000J

1000J

100J

10J

100,000J

How much energy is at each level?

9000joules

900joules

90joules

9joules

40 A food pyramid represents the relative amount of energy in trophic levels. Which of the following correctly shows a food pyramid?

F H

G J

BiomassBiomass Biomass is the total amount of living tissue Biomass is the total amount of living tissue

within a given trophic level within a given trophic level Think of it as the amount of meat, plant material, etc Think of it as the amount of meat, plant material, etc

you eat.you eat.

A biomass pyramid represents the amount of A biomass pyramid represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem.an ecosystem.

1kcalSnakes

1000kcal PLANTS

100kcal grasshoppers

10kcal birds

Bio

mas

s de

crea

se

The diagram represents different levels of a marine food pyramid. Between which two levels is the greatest amount of energytransferred?

A R and QB S and RC T and SD U and T

Cycles in EcosystemsCycles in Ecosystems Decomposers break down dead organic matter Decomposers break down dead organic matter

and turn into nutrients to be used again. and turn into nutrients to be used again. Plants use nutrients during photosynthesis, and Plants use nutrients during photosynthesis, and

produce food for the food chainproduce food for the food chain Nutrients are passed between organisms and Nutrients are passed between organisms and

the environment through cyclesthe environment through cycles

Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle Carbon is Carbon is

cycled cycled through the through the ecosystemecosystem PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis RespirationRespiration DecompositionDecomposition Burning fossil Burning fossil

fuelsfuels

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is needed by organisms to produce Nitrogen is needed by organisms to produce

amino acids amino acids Cycled in the ecosystem by decomposition and Cycled in the ecosystem by decomposition and

nitrogen fixationnitrogen fixation

41 The diagram shows several phases of the nitrogen cycle. Which of the following describes the most likely effect of removing some plants from the area by using chemical herbicides?

A The rate of erosion of rocks on the ground would be slowed.B The flow of necessary nutrients would be disrupted.C The ability of plants to complete photosynthesis would be

increased.D The infiltration of water into the ground would be halted.

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is needed by organisms as a Phosphorus is needed by organisms as a

component of DNAcomponent of DNA Phosphorus remains on land & in ocean & is Phosphorus remains on land & in ocean & is

cycled through the ecosystem as plants absorb cycled through the ecosystem as plants absorb it in the soil & moves through the food webit in the soil & moves through the food web

Decomposition or waste.

Plants take up Phosphorus

P passed on from plants to animals.

Water CycleWater Cycle All living things require water to surviveAll living things require water to survive

plants give off water vapor

Warmth from the sun causes water to turn into water vapor

Nitrogen Cycle PassportNitrogen Cycle Passport You are going to PRETEND you are a N atom.You are going to PRETEND you are a N atom. Start at ANY station. Stamp/Sticker your Start at ANY station. Stamp/Sticker your

“passport.”“passport.” Pick a number card to see where you must go Pick a number card to see where you must go

next. Write your new destination on your next. Write your new destination on your passport.passport.

Go to that NEW station and stamp/sticker your Go to that NEW station and stamp/sticker your card. Pick another card at the NEW station.card. Pick another card at the NEW station.

Continue the procedure until your passport is Continue the procedure until your passport is full.full.

Answer questions & draw/write out the cycle Answer questions & draw/write out the cycle YOU took as a N atom.YOU took as a N atom.

Community InteractionsCommunity Interactions Organisms within a species are always Organisms within a species are always

interactinginteracting Types of biotic relationships : predation, Types of biotic relationships : predation,

symbiosis, and competitionsymbiosis, and competition

PredationPredation This involves one organism capturing and eating This involves one organism capturing and eating

another for energy.another for energy. Second order consumers (carnivores) are usually Second order consumers (carnivores) are usually

predators.predators. They can be preyed upon by “bigger” fish. (Tertiary & They can be preyed upon by “bigger” fish. (Tertiary &

Quaternary Consumers)Quaternary Consumers)

First order consumers (herbivores) are almost First order consumers (herbivores) are almost always prey.always prey.

PredatorPredator

The organism that does the capturing The organism that does the capturing and eatingand eating Adaptations for hunting include sharp teeth, Adaptations for hunting include sharp teeth,

swift speed, and camouflage for stalking swift speed, and camouflage for stalking prey.prey.

PreyPrey Is eatenIs eaten

Adaptations to avoid being captured Adaptations to avoid being captured include greater sight and hearing, include greater sight and hearing, camouflage, and poison.camouflage, and poison.

Predator-Prey InteractionsPredator-Prey Interactions

Predator and prey populations change Predator and prey populations change together.together. the predator dies if it does not get food.the predator dies if it does not get food.

prey numbers go down= predator numbers go prey numbers go down= predator numbers go down.down. LESS TO EAT.LESS TO EAT.

less predators=prey goes back up less predators=prey goes back up LESS ARE BEING EATEN.LESS ARE BEING EATEN.

Equal population density

Pred. pop. at lowest.Prey pop. going up.

Prey. pop. at highest..Pred. pop. going up b/cof increase of available

Food.

Prey. pop. declining b/cof increased predation.

B/C of prey decline, pred. pop. also

responded by declining..

13 Which of the following is most likely to cause increases in a predator population?

F Fewer preyG A reduction in competitionH More parasitesJ A period of drought

SymbiosisSymbiosis

Close relationships between organisms of Close relationships between organisms of different species. different species.

At least one species benefits from the At least one species benefits from the relationship.relationship. Sometimes the other organism is harmed (-), Sometimes the other organism is harmed (-),

helped(+), or neither (0)helped(+), or neither (0)

Symbiosis includes:Symbiosis includes: Parasitism (+/-)Parasitism (+/-) Mutualism (+/+)Mutualism (+/+) Commensalism (+/0)Commensalism (+/0)

Parasitism (+/-)Parasitism (+/-)

When one organism lives on When one organism lives on another and takes all or some another and takes all or some of its nutrients from the host.of its nutrients from the host. Parasites include intestinal Parasites include intestinal

worms, fleas, and ticks.worms, fleas, and ticks. Parasites usually do Parasites usually do not not

kill the hostkill the host because they because they need them for food.need them for food.

Mutualism (+/+)Mutualism (+/+)

A relationship in which two A relationship in which two organisms help each other. organisms help each other. Plants and bees have a Plants and bees have a

mutual relationship: Bees mutual relationship: Bees eat the pollen from eat the pollen from flowers and flowers are flowers and flowers are helped pollinated by bees.helped pollinated by bees.

Commensalism (+/0)Commensalism (+/0) A relationship in which one A relationship in which one

species benefits and the species benefits and the other is neither helped or other is neither helped or harmed.harmed. Example: A mite Example: A mite

attaches to a fly for attaches to a fly for transportation.transportation. The fly is not harmed The fly is not harmed

or hurt.or hurt. The mite gets a free The mite gets a free

ride.ride.

CompetitionCompetition Competition occurs when Competition occurs when

members of the same members of the same species or different species or different species try to use the species try to use the same limited resources same limited resources (sunlight, food, mates, (sunlight, food, mates, space)space)

Resources are limited so Resources are limited so organisms are in constant organisms are in constant competition.competition.

After being introduced in the 1930s, the B fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) became established throughout much of the southern United States. One biological way to control fire ants might be to introduce organisms that are —

A mutualistic with fire ant queensB nurtured by fire ant workersC preyed on by fire ant dronesD parasitic to fire ant larvae

Symbiosis: ParasitesSymbiosis: Parasites Problem: What can happen to a dog when it Problem: What can happen to a dog when it

becomes infested with too many fleas? Would becomes infested with too many fleas? Would an over infested dog be bad for the flea?an over infested dog be bad for the flea?

Hypothesis:Hypothesis: Materials: Paper dog, “fleas” (beads, seeds, Materials: Paper dog, “fleas” (beads, seeds,

etc), calculator, plastic baggie (graveyard)etc), calculator, plastic baggie (graveyard) Procedure: Procedure: Table:Table: Graph:Graph: Conclusion questionsConclusion questions

Symbiosis GameSymbiosis Game You will study the effects parasitism by fleas You will study the effects parasitism by fleas

have on a host dog.have on a host dog. To ATTACH to a dog you must make your To ATTACH to a dog you must make your

bead (flea) into the cup (Dog).bead (flea) into the cup (Dog). If your flea doesn’t make it into the cup he dies.If your flea doesn’t make it into the cup he dies. If he does make it in he gets food (blood) from If he does make it in he gets food (blood) from

dog.dog. After a toss, your population will “reproduce”.After a toss, your population will “reproduce”.

Double all fleas in your cup.Double all fleas in your cup. If population exceeds 60, your dog AND the If population exceeds 60, your dog AND the

flea population die.flea population die.

BiomesBiomes Areas on the earth with similar climate, Areas on the earth with similar climate,

plants, and animals plants, and animals Land BiomesLand Biomes Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes

Land BiomesLand Biomes Land biomes are characterized by certain Land biomes are characterized by certain

soil and climate conditions as well as the soil and climate conditions as well as the types of plants and animalstypes of plants and animals

Temperature and precipitation determine Temperature and precipitation determine climate climate

Plants and animals can adapt to different Plants and animals can adapt to different biomes biomes

Earth has three main climate zones : polar, Earth has three main climate zones : polar, temperate, and tropicaltemperate, and tropical

DesertDesert Rainfall is less than 50 Rainfall is less than 50

cm/year. cm/year. Few large mammals in Few large mammals in

deserts because most are deserts because most are not capable of storing not capable of storing enough water and enough water and withstanding the heat. withstanding the heat.

Deserts provide little shelter Deserts provide little shelter from the sun for large from the sun for large animals.animals.

The dominant animals are The dominant animals are reptiles. reptiles. Mammals are usually small, Mammals are usually small,

like the kangaroo micelike the kangaroo mice

ForestForest Dominated by trees and Dominated by trees and

other woody vegetation other woody vegetation Tropical Tropical Temperate Temperate TaigaTaiga

Great diversity of animalsGreat diversity of animals

GrasslandGrassland Lands dominated by grasses Lands dominated by grasses

rather than large shrubs or trees rather than large shrubs or trees Giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, Giraffes, zebras, buffaloes,

kangaroos, mice, moles, kangaroos, mice, moles, gophers, ground squirrels, gophers, ground squirrels, snakes, worms, termites, snakes, worms, termites, beetles, lions, wild horses, lions, beetles, lions, wild horses, lions, wolves, prairie dogs, jack wolves, prairie dogs, jack rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, rabbits, deer, mice, coyotes, foxes foxes

TundraTundra

Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. Tundra is the coldest of all the biomes. It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes, It is noted for its frost-molded landscapes,

extremely low temperatures, little rain, poor extremely low temperatures, little rain, poor nutrients, and short growing seasons. nutrients, and short growing seasons.

Low shrubs, mosses, grasses, lemmings, Low shrubs, mosses, grasses, lemmings, caribou, arctic hares, squirrels, arctic foxes, caribou, arctic hares, squirrels, arctic foxes, wolves, polar bears, ravens, grasshoppers, trout wolves, polar bears, ravens, grasshoppers, trout

Aquatic BiomesAquatic Biomes

Aquatic ecosystems are governed by biotic Aquatic ecosystems are governed by biotic and abiotic factors, including light, nutrient and abiotic factors, including light, nutrient availability, and oxygen availability, and oxygen

FreshwaterFreshwater

Freshwater is has a low salt Freshwater is has a low salt concentration concentration

Plants and animals in Plants and animals in freshwater regions would not freshwater regions would not be able to survive in areas with be able to survive in areas with a lot of salt (i.e., ocean). a lot of salt (i.e., ocean).

Algae, aquatic plants, snails, Algae, aquatic plants, snails, clams, insects, crustaceans, clams, insects, crustaceans, fishes, amphibians, fishes, amphibians, dragonflies, turtles, snakes, dragonflies, turtles, snakes, and ducks. and ducks.

Ponds and lakes Streams and rivers

Wetlands

MarineMarine

Marine regions cover Marine regions cover about three-fourths of about three-fourths of the Earth's surfacethe Earth's surface

High salt contentHigh salt content Algae and mollusks, Algae and mollusks,

snails, crabs, sea snails, crabs, sea stars, fishes, stars, fishes, seaweed, worms, seaweed, worms, clams, crabs, and clams, crabs, and shorebirds (on the shorebirds (on the surface). surface).

OceanOcean