2018 ECOLOGY BC KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules
2018 ECOLOGY (B&C) KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules Committee Chairman karenlancour@charter. net C. Robyn Fischer National Event Supervisor
Ecology Events • Ecology – principles of ecology related to terrestrial environments – 2 year rotation by biomes ( 1 - tundra & forests & 2 -grasslands & deserts) • Water Quality – principles of ecology related to aquatic environments – 2 year rotation by aquatic biomes (1 -freshwater & 2 - marine & estuary) • Green Generation (Environmental Science) – man’s impact on ecology and possible solutions – 2 year rotation by problem issues (1 -Aquatic, Air, Climate & 2 -Terrestrial, Population Growth)
Event Rules – 2018 DISCLAIMER This presentation was prepared using draft rules. There may be some changes in the final copy of the rules. The rules which will be in your Coaches Manual and Student Manuals will be the official rules.
Event Rules – 2018 • BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2018 EVENT RULES FOR EVENT PARAMETERS AND TOPICS FOR EACH COMPETITION LEVEL
TRAINING MATERIALS Training Power Point – content overview Training Handouts – content information Sample Tournament – sample problems with key Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, setup needs, and scoring tips • Internet Resources & Training Materials – on the Science Olympiad website at www. soinc. org under Event Information • A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Ecology CD as well as the Division B and Division C Test Packets are available from SO store at www. soinc. org • •
EVENT COMPONENTS • Ecology Content – 2018 – PART 1 -Principles of Ecology (about 1/3) – PART 2 - Terrestrial Ecosystem – Grasslands and Deserts of North America (about 1/3) – PART 3 - Human Impact on Ecosystems (about 1/3) • Process skills in data, graph and diagram analysis Process skills • Event parameters – check the event parameters in the rules for resources allowed.
PART I: General Principles of Ecology ECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another ECOLOGY and with their environment ENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components ENVIRONMENT • ABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures • BIOTIC – living component are other organisms.
ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION • INDIVIDUAL – individual organisms INDIVIDUAL • POPULATION – organisms of same species in POPULATION same area (biotic factors) • COMMUNITY – several populations in same COMMUNITY area (biotic factors) • ECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors ECOSYSTEM • BIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth BIOSPHERE
ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS • Homeostasis – delicate balance • Components – Physiological Ecology – Temperature and Water Balance – Light and Biological Cycles – Physiological Ecology and Conservation
ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS • • Properties of populations Patterns of distribution and density Intra-specific competition Population dynamics Growth and regulation Altering population growth Human impact
Growth Curves
Human Population
Survival Curves • Survivorship is the percentage of remaining survivors of a population over time; usually shown graphically. Type I survivorship curve: most individuals live out their life span and die of old age (e. g. , humans). Type II survivorship curve: individuals die at a constant rate (e. g. , birds, rodents, and perennial plants). Type III survivorship curve: most individuals die early in life (e. g. , fishes, invertebrates, and plants).
ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES • Closed vs. Open communities – Closed – sharp boundaries – Open – Lack boundaries • Species abundance and diversity • Trophic Structure of Communities – Food chains – Food web – Trophic pyramid
INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES • Interactions • Interspecific competition • Predation • Exploitation • Symbiosis
Types of Species Interactions Neutral – two species do not interact Mutualism – both benefit Commensalism – one benefits, other neutral Parasitism – one benefits, one harmed but not usually killed • Predation – one benefits, other usually killed • •
Predator - Prey Relationship
Food Chain • Producer • 1 st order Consumer or Herbivore • 2 nd order Consumer or 1 st order Carnivore • 3 rd order Consumer or 2 nd order Carnivore • 4 th order Consumer or 3 rd order Carnivore • Decomposers – consume dead and decaying matter
Food Web
ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS • Energy Flow – Energy Flow Pyramids – Bio-mass Pyramids • Community Succession and Stability • Nutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles
Energy vs Nutrient • Nutrients – cyclic (Biogeochemical Cycles) • Energy flow – one way
Ecologic Pyramids Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level. Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories.
Numbers Pyramid
Biomass & Energy Flow Pyramids
Biogeochemical Cycles • Hydrologic Cycle • Phosphorus Cycle • Nitrogen Cycle • Carbon Cycle
Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Biosphere • Types of Ecological Spheres – – • • • Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Atmosphere Biogeochemical Cycles Disruption of Biosphere Species Extinction & Biosphere Destruction
ECOSYSTEM STABILITY • Ecosystem stability and the response of ecosystems to disturbance are of crucial importance • Biological diversity acts to stabilize ecosystem functioning in the face of environmental fluctuation. • Variation among species in their response to such fluctuation is an essential requirement for ecosystem stability • Climate change and other humandriven (anthropogenic) environmental changes will continue to cause biodiversity loss in the coming decades
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
ADAPTATION
TYPES OF ADAPTATIONS Structural, Physiological and Behavioral Adaptations help species to survive in their environment. Most organisms have combinations of all three types
Extinction There are natural causes Man’s activities have accelerated extinction rates.
Part 2: ECOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS • 2017 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA – Tundra – Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest) – Deciduous Forests • 2018 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA – Grasslands – Deserts
Terrestrial Ecosystems Latitude vs. Altitude
Ecosystems: Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial Biomes
Adaptations of Plants & Animals • Not intended to be a taxonomic event • Emphasis on adaptations of common plants and animals to each biome • Common members of food chains and food webs of each biome • Limiting factors for each biome
ANNUAL RAINFALL OF BIOMES
BIOMES OF THE US The Ecology event will concentrate on the US biomes – deserts grasslands forests taiga tundra
Adaptations of Plants & Animals • Not intended to be a taxonomic event • Emphasis on adaptations of common plants and animals to each biome • Common members of food chains and food webs of each biome • Limiting factors for each biome
Grasslands of North America
Grasslands – Abiotic factors • Moderate temperature with notable extremes: -20° F to 110° F common, and even colder temperatures in the north • Precipitation is too low to support trees but too great for deserts to form • Variable precipitation: 6 -40 in (15 -100 cm) • Scattered rain and lightening common in summer months ("convection storms") with more general rains and snows in winter months • Fire a major factor in maintaining biome • Droughts may be severe
Grasslands – Plants • Grasses are major producer with several genera and species common but usually with one or two dominate • Herbs and legumes (nitrogen fixing) among the grasses • Many plants possess rhizomes (underground stems) and are wind pollinated • Soils generally fertile, deep and rich in nutrients (Bread baskets of the world) • Growing season of 120 -200 days • Generally flat to rolling topography
North American Grassland (Prairie) types
Grasslands (Prairies) of North America Tall-grass Prairie: eastern unit – nearest to Eastern Deciduous Forests – Tall grasses (3 -4 ft or 1 -1. 5 m tall) with roots up to 6 feet deep – 24 -40 in (65 -100 cm) precipitation annually Mid-grass Prairie: between Tall Grass and Short Grass – gradual change – Grasses to 4 ft (1. 5 m) tall, mixture of sod and "bunch" grasses. – 14 -25 in (35 -65 cm) precipitation annually Short-grass Prairie: western element, largest. Nearest to deserts of west US – Short grasses (less than 20 in or 50 cm tall) – About 10 in precipitation annually. Conservation Concerns: Majority of tall- and mid-grass prairie are now farmland. Short-grass prairie is grazed, some areas are now overgrazed
Grasslands (Prairie) in North America
Grassland (Prairie) Plant Adaptations • Native plants are perennials while crop grains are annuals • Grasses have three strata – roots, growth at ground level, and taller foliage • Half of growth may be below ground • Grazed taller foliage will grow back • Taller foliage above ground adapted to withstand strong winds, fires, extreme temperature changes
Grasslands – Animal • Dominated by grazing animals (deer, antelope, buffalo - once common but now rarely native to the range) • Herds (safety in numbers) • Burrowing small animals (colonies such as prairie dogs) • Rodents and Jack Rabbits • Flight song birds – strong fliers • Insects esp. grasshoppers
Grassland (Prairie) Animal adaptations • • Long distance vision for predator & prey Eyes of grazing animals well above snout Many are built for speed – live in herds or colonies Small creatures can stand on haunches Some hop up and down or hop long distances Camouflage coloration Underground burrows Birds – strong fliers (strong winds), flight song birds to attract mates in air, nest in tall grass
GRASSLAND FOOD WEB
Grassland (Prairie) Environmental Concerns • Most disturbed biome – farming & domestic grazing with fences • Annuals replace perennials with annual soil disturbance by the plow • Overgrazing problems – “dust bowl” • Biodiversity disturbed – extinct & endangered species • Fire allowed vs fire control • Native grasslands being reintroduced
Deserts • Regions of low, sparse vegetation with minimal precipitation and humidity • Food web • Special adaptations • Plant and animals • Temperature variations • Special environmental issues • Effect of human populations
Deserts – Abiotic Features • Regions of low, sparse vegetation with minimal precipitation and humidity; high temperatures during some of the year and great daily temperature fluctuations • Cover 1/5 of earth’s land surface • Scarcity of water – less than 25 cm (10 inches) of precipitation per year • Water loss – tendency for water loss may exceed annual rainfall
Deserts – Abiotic factors • Relatively poor soil quality – Relatively poor soil quality high mineral content but little organic matter • Intense solar radiation – strong tendency to lose water by evaporation • Temperature variation – daytime over 120 degrees and drops as sun sets • Winters – may be cold
Deserts – Plants • Succulent plants – “juicy plants” as cacti store water, spines are remnants of leaves • Annuals – dormant during dry season, germinate and grow rapidly to seed after rains • Desert shrubs – have small thick leaves with sunken stomates
Desert – Plant Adaptations • Succulents store water in stems – no stomates to lose water – green stems functions of leaves – spines thought to be remnant leaves • Annuals have short life cycle of flower to seed after rain – seeds during dry times • Shrubs have small thick leaves with sunken stomates with widely branching roots which rapidly collect moisture or deep tap roots to underground moisture as mesquite. • Some depend upon animals digestion for dispersal of seeds
Deserts – Animals • • • Insects and scorpions Lizards and Snakes Birds – from hummingbirds to roadrunners Bats Small mammals as rodents Larger mammals as coyotes
Deserts – Animal Adaptations • Burrow for protection from heat • Conserve water loss from evaporation, exhalation, elimination of body waste • Nocturnal activity when cooler or hide/burrow during day to protect from heat • Many cold blooded insects and reptiles • Exoskeletons or scales
Deserts - Animal Adaptations • Lizards & scorpions – no glands in skin so do not sweat • Mammals – panting & large ears – nocturnal hunters - many lack sweat glands • Concentrate waste as urea or crystallized uric acid • Become sluggish during intense heat
DESERT FOOD WEB
Types of Deserts • Hot - Arid regions with little or no annual precipitation, usually rain, no snow or frost • Warm - Arid regions where precipitation falls seasonally principally as rain, some snow and frost each year • Cold - Arid regions where precipitation falls sparingly principally as snow and permafrost is not a factor
Deserts of North America • Warm Desert – Mojave Desert • Warm Desert – Sonoran Desert • Warm Desert – Chihuahuan Desert • Cold Desert – Intermountain West or Great Basin
Environmental Concerns – Deserts • Many endangered, rare and unusual plants and animals live in the desert. • Slow to recover from habitat damage • Desert expansion – Desert expansion growth of deserts in parts of the world • Flooding problems during rains • Competition of man for limited water supply
BIODIVERSITY • It is the number of different organisms & their relative frequency in an ecosystem • Levels of Biodiversity: o Genetic diversity – varies in the genetic make-up among individuals within a single species o Species diversity – variety among the species or distinct types of living organisms found in different habitats of the planet o Ecological diversity – variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, streams, lakes, oceans, wetlands, and other biological communities.
SPECIES DIVERSITY LEVELS • ALPHA- WITHIN HABITAT • BETA – BETWEEN COMMINITIES • GAMMA – IN A REGION
PART 3 – HUMAN IMPACT ON TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS • Environmental concerns for tundra, taiga, and deciduous forests • Role of these ecosystems in Earth’s climate • Major Environmental Issues • Conservation Biology – goals, environmental threats, actions
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING TERRESTRIAL BIOME • Pollution of Air, Water and Land • Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes • Land Degradation • Loss of Biodiversity • Ozone Depletion • Climate Change • Environmental Factors • Loss of natural and cultural resources • Habitat loss • Overexploitation • Exotic species and introductions • Overpopulation
Pollution • Harmful materials entering the environment • Point source pollution – from a clearly identifiable source • Nonpoint pollution comes from many different sources. • Four main categories – industrial, residential, commercial, and environmental
Acid Rain
Greenhouse Effect
Ozone Depletion
Ozone Hole over Antartica Source: NASA
Biodiversity Threats
Habitat Fragmentation & Destruction Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a process Habitat destruction and fragmentation that describes the emergences of discontinuities (fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of the environment inhabited by an organism. It results in 1. Loss of resident species 2. Loss of food sources 3. Loss of ecosystem functions provided by the habitat
INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEMS World-wide problem Increase in travel and trade open routes In U. S. costs $137 billion dollars per year Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species. • Raise havoc in ecosystems and threaten species diversity • •
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY • Ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the physical environment. • Conservation Biology is the scientific study of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions. • Conservation biologists investigate the impact of humans on Earth's biodiversity and develop practical approaches to prevent the extinction of species and promote the sustainable use of biological resources
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Strategies for a Sustainable World • advancing technologies to reduce waste • increasing recycling and reuse • creating even safer treatment and disposal options • developing sources of renewable energy • sharing the benefits of our learning and innovation
MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY
CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES
INVASIVE SPECIES Control Methods • Prevention • Eradicating potential invaders soon after invasion • Physical (manual & mechanical) • Cultural – Ecosystem Management • Biological – natural enemies • Chemical - pesticides • Integrated Pest Management – Uses a combination of methods – OFTEN MOST EFFECTIVE
RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED AREAS
REINTRODUCTION OF SPECIES ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources • Non-renewable energy sources – fossil fuels Non-renewable energy sources as coal, oil and natural gas as well as nuclear fuels – limited supply will run out and have negative environmental impacts • Renewable energy sources – sun, wind, Renewable energy sources waves, heat, hydropower and biomass that can be used again and is cleanest energy sources. • There are pros and cons for each type of energy
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