Ecology and The Biosphere Abiotic vs Biotic l

Ecology and The Biosphere

Abiotic vs. Biotic l Abiotic (nonliving) l l l temperature light water nutrients wind disturbance l Biotic (living) l l other individuals of the same species individuals of different species (predators, prey, parasites)

Biogeographic Realms

Climate l The prevailing weather conditions at a location which includes: l l temperature water light wind

Global Climate Patterns

Solar Radiation and Latitude l At Equinox l l sunlight hits equator directly low angle of light as you move toward poles

Solar Radiation and Latitude l At Solstice l l June (Northern Hemisphere tilts toward sun) December (Northern Hemisphere tilts away from sun)

Global Climate Patterns

Global Climate Patterns l solar radiation at equator air circulation l tropics l global l wind patterns l

Local Effects on Climate

Local and Seasonal Effects on Climate l l l Mountains (Rain shadow) Bodies of Water Ocean Currents

Aquatic Biomes

Vertical Stratification Of Aquatic Biomes l l l Photic Zone Aphotic Zone Benthic Zone

Vertical Stratification Of Aquatic Biomes l Thermocline

Freshwater Biomes l l l Eutrophic lakes Oligotrophic lakes Mesotrophic lakes

Freshwater Biomes l Rivers and streams

Freshwater Biomes l l Wetlands Estuary

Marine Biomes l Intertidal zones

Marine Biomes l Coral reefs

Marine Biomes l Oceanic pelagic

Marine Biomes l Benthos

Terrestrial Biomes

Terrestrial Biomes l Tropical Forests l l l Thorn Deciduous Rain forests Savannas Grasslands Deserts l l l Chaparral Coastal Sage Scrub Temperate Deciduous Forests Taiga Tundra

Tropical Rain Forest l l l The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm. ) of rain falls yearly. The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C);

Tropical Rain Forest

Tropical Rain Forest

Savannahs l l l A savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. Savannas have warm temperature year round and two very different seasons l l long dry season (winter) – 4 inches of rain very wet season (summer). In the summer there is lots of rain.

Savannahs

Grasslands l l Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. Latitude, soil and local climates for the most part determine what kinds of plants grow Grasslands are a region where the average annual precipitation is great enough to support grasses, and in some areas a few trees. The precipitation is so erratic that drought and fire prevent large forests from growing.

Grasslands

Deserts l Less than 10 inches of rain a year l l Hot Deserts Cold Deserts

Deserts

Chaparral l l Chaparral is characterized as being very hot and dry. Temperature l l the winter is very mild and is usually about 10 °C. the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts are very common.

Coastal Sage Scrub l l Coastal sage scrub is characterized as being very hot and dry. Temperature l l the winter is very mild and is usually about 10 °C. the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts are very common.

Chaparral Coastal Sage Scrub

Temperate Deciduous Forest l l Deciduous forests can be found in the eastern half of North America The average annual temperature in a deciduous forest is 50° F. The average rainfall is 30 to 60 inches a year.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Taiga l l l The taiga is the biome of the needleleaf forest. Taiga is the Russian word forest and is the largest biome in the world. The winters in the taiga are very cold with only snowfall. The summers are warm, rainy, and humid. A lot of coniferous trees grow in the taiga. The taiga is also known as the boreal forest.

Taiga

Tundra l l Tundra means a barren land. The ground is permanently frozen 10 inches to 3 feet (25 to 100 cm) down so that trees can't grow there. rocky ground can only support low growing plants like mosses, heaths, and lichen. In the winter it is cold and dark and in the summer, when the snow and the top layer of permafrost melt, it is very soggy

Tundra

Organismal Ecology l l Regulators and Conformers Principle of allocation

Short Term Responses l Physiological Responses l l l Acclimation Morphological Responses Behavioral Responses

Acclimation l A shift in an organism’s tolerance to fit a changing environment

Trophic Levels

Food Web

Primary Productivity l l The amount of light energy that is converted into chemical energy Often expressed as biomass

Pyramid of Net Productivity

Secondary Productivity l l The rate at which an ecosystem converts the chemical energy of the food they eat into their own biomass 10% rule

Nutrient Cycling

Biodiversity Crisis l Extinction Rates are increasing l l Toxins (biological magnification) Greenhouse effect / Ozone depletion Overpopulation Major threats to Biodiversity l l Habitat Destruction Overexploitation Introduction of exotics Disruption of food chains

Geographic Distribution of Biodiversity

Biodiversity Hotspots

Conservation l Endangered Species l l Threatened Species l l in danger of becoming extinct likely to become endangered in the near future Genetic Diversity