ECOLOGY The interactions among organisms and their environment

ECOLOGY The interactions among organisms and their environment. Julia is really cool.

I. Abiotic Factors § Physical or nonliving factors that affect an ecosystem. Ex: Temperature, Light. Water, Soil

I. Abiotic Factors A. Temperature: 1. As latitude increases, temperature decreases. 2. As altitude increases, temperature decreases. 3. The closer to water, the cooler the temperature.

I. Abiotic Factors B. Light: 1. The lower the latitude, the higher the light intensity. 2. Plants closer to the surface of water receive more sunlight.

I. Abiotic Factors C. Water: 1. Conservation methods: § Water vacuoles for storage; § spending energy during the cool mornings or evenings (hunting/foraging) § Guard cells in plants 2. Water is important for all metabolic activities.

I. Abiotic Factors D. Soil: 1. Important parts: § Topsoil – At top; contains important minerals § Detritus – dead plant/animal material § Bedrock – good or poor drainage

Soil Profile

I. Abiotic Factors D. Soil: 2. Plants need certain minerals to grow such as N, K, P, Mg, and Ca.

II. Biotic Factors § All living things that have an affect on an ecosystem. Ex: Birds, bacteria, plants, insects, humans, etc…

A. Organization within the Biosphere 1. Biosphere – Part of the Earth where life exists. 2. Population – A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. 3. Community – A group of different populations living in the same area. 4. Ecosystem – All biotic and abiotic factors in a certain area.

What 3 things must an ecosystem have to be self-sustaining? a. Constant supply of energy b. Biodiversity c. Recycling of materials between organisms and the environment.

III. Interactions in the Ecosystem A. Niche – An organisms role in its ecosystem. (Ex: A lioness is a hunter) B. Niche Competition: Two or more organisms competing for the same role in an ecosystem. (Ex: Wolverine vs. wolf) C. Energy Flow Relationships: There is the greatest amount of stored energy at the Producer level.

C. Energy Flow Relationships Mode of Nutrition Food Chain Component Example Autotrophs Producer Plants Herbivores Primary consumer Crickets; beetles; lady bugs Herbivores Primary consumer (plants) Rabbits; deer; squirrels Carnivores Secondary consumer (meat) Snakes; wolves; hawks Omnivores Secondary consumer (any food) Humans; bears; Lions Saprophytes Decomposer Bacteria

1. Food Chain

2. Food Web

3. Food Pyramid § The further along the food chain you go, the less food (and hence energy) remains available.

4. Ecological Relationships 1. Predator/Prey – One organism hunts, kills, and eats another weaker organism. Ex: Lion hunts a gazelle

4. Ecological Relationships 2. Symbiosis: 2 organisms living/working in close contact. a. Commensalism (+, 0): One organism benefits; the other is not affected. Ex: Sharks and Remora fish

4. Ecological Relationships b. Mutualism (+, +): Both organisms benefit from the relationship. Ex: Termites have cellulose digesting bacteria in their gut. Clownfish and sea anemones

Other fish might think it’s safe!!

4. Ecological Relationships c. Parasitism (+, -): One organism benefits; the other is negatively affected. Ex: Tapeworms and dogs Lamprey and Trout

Changes in an Ecosystem Ecological Succession: The process by which an existing community is gradually replaced by another community

Ecological Succession 1. Pioneer Species: The first organism to inhabit an area. (Ex: Lichens) 2. Climax Community: A mature, stable community.

Ecological Succession Examples: § Volcanic Islands § Rocky Cliffs § Plowed Fields

Ecological Succession

Ecological Succession

Nutrient Cycles § Nitrogen Cycle – Dead organic material and nitrogenous wastes are broken down into usable parts for autotrophs

Carbon/Oxygen Cycle – Plants use CO 2 for photosynthesis; Humans use O 2 for cellular respiration.

Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

BIOME A very large area characterized by a certain climate and types of plants and animals.

V. Biomes (pg. 98 – 107) Tundra

Biomes Tropical Rain Forests

Biomes Taiga

Biomes Temperate Deciduous Forest

Biomes Grassland

Biomes Desert

Biomes Oceans

Marine Ecosystems § § § Most stable ecosystem on Earth Absorbs and holds solar heat Constant supplies of nutrients Largest habitat for many life forms Most photosynthesis occurs in this biome

VI. Human Ecology A. Human Population Growth 1. Limiting Factor: Lack of food, water supply, space, or any other necessity. 2. Carrying Capacity: The size of a population that can be supported by the environment.

VI. Human Ecology B. Negative Human Activities 1. Overhunting: Killing too many of a certain species. 2. Exploitation of Wildlife: Capturing animals for display. 3. Poor Land Management: Lack of ground cover; overgrazing; overall failure to take care of land.

VI. Human Ecology B. Negative Human Activities 4. Importation of Organisms: Bringing foreign species into an area. 5. Water Pollution: a. Eutrophication – Decrease the amount of oxygen due to chemical pollution and overgrowth of algae. b. Dumping of Chemicals – Pesticides, fertilizers, detergents dumped into water.

VI. Human Ecology B. Negative Human Activities 5. Water Pollution: c. E. coli Contamination – Human and animal wastes are dumped into water. d. Thermal Pollution – The heat from factories close to water can kill marine life.

VI. Human Ecology B. Negative Human Activities 6. Air Pollution: A. Sulfur Dioxide – Acid rain is produced from exhaust. B. Smog – Smoke, gas, and fog warmed by sunlight. C. Temperature Inversion – Cool air is trapped under warm air, which traps pollutants.

VI. Human Ecology B. Negative Human Activities 7. Land Pollution: a. Landfills/Incineration – Refuse is dumped and burned. b. Pesticides – Contaminates air, water, and land.

VI. Human Ecology C. Positive Human Activities 1. Conservation of Resources a. Increased use of renewable resources. (air, water, sunlight, soil, living organisms) b. Recycling c. Decreased use of non-renewable resources (coal, oil, natural gas, metals, minerals)

VI. Human Ecology C. Positive Human Activities 2. Types of Conservation: a. Soil conservation – prevents erosion b. Forest conservation – Reforestation c. Wildlife conservation – Hunting/fishing laws; Nature preserves; Endangered Species Act

VI. Human Ecology C. Positive Human Activities 3. Pollution Control: a. Natural enemies – natural predators to control pests. b. Bacterial controls – Use bacteria and viruses against pests.

VI. Human Ecology C. Positive Human Activities 3. Pollution Control: c. Crop rotation – Different crops each year. d. Pheromones – Chemical communication between members of the same species. Insect traps! e. Sterile males = No offspring to control populations.