Ecosystem and Biodiversity Bears are omnivores and eat

Ecosystem and Biodiversity

Bears are omnivores and eat a wide variety of food. Why might a bear choose to eat fruits, nuts, and acorns in the fall instead of animal matter?

• BEARS WILL SWITCH FOODS BASED ON WHAT IS MORE READILY AVAILABLE TO BALANCE ENERGY EXPENDED TO OBTAIN FOOD TO THE ENERGY GAINED FROM THE FOOD

Use the following words to label the above picture of the water cycle. -ocean/lake -condensation -Evaporation -Surface Runoff -Ground water -precipitation

The trees in tropical rain forests are important to nutrient cycling in the biosphere. • Describe one role of the trees in the carbon cycle.

Describe one role of the trees in the carbon cycle. • (TREES TAKE IN CARBON DIOXIDE AND RELEASE OXYGEN – PHOTOSYNTHESIS)

• Describe one role of the trees in the oxygen cycle.

Describe one role of the trees in the oxygen cycle. • (TREES TAKE IN CARBON DIOXIDE AND RELEASE OXYGEN – PHOTOSYNTHESIS)

• Describe one role of the trees in the water cycle.

Describe one role of the trees in the water cycle. • (TREES RELEASE WATER WHICH RETURNS TO THE WATER CYCLE – TRANSPIRATION)

Some rain forest trees are destroyed by burning, while some others are cut down and left on the forest floor. • Describe one way that burning rain forest trees affects nutrient cycling differently than cutting them down and leaving them on the forest floor.

Some rain forest trees are destroyed by burning, while some others are cut down and left on the forest floor. Describe one way that burning rain forest trees affects nutrient cycling differently than cutting them down and leaving them on the forest floor. • (BURNING TREES WILL ADD MORE CARBON DIOXIDE TO THE ATMOSPHERE WHEREAS LEAVING THEM ON THE FOREST FLOOR WILL RETURN THEIR NUTRIENTS TO THE SOIL)

• Nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater is locked in ice. Most of the rest is in aquifers that we are draining much more quickly than the natural recharge rate. Two-thirds of our water is used to grow food. Americans use about 100 gallons of water at home each day, while millions of the world’s poorest subsist on fewer than 5 gallons. In 15 years, 1. 8 billion people will live in regions of severe water scarcity. Water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it. • **National Geographic, April 2010, Water Our Thirsty World • Using this information, explain how water could be a limiting factor to the ecosystem you live in.

Place the correct relationship next to the number. 1. ____ As buffalos walk through the grass, insects become active and are seen and eaten by cowbirds. 2. ____ A honeyguide bird will lead a badger to a beehive. Once the bird locates the beehive, it makes a loud noise for the badger to hear. The badger gets the honey and the bird eats the scraps. 3. _____A tick burrows into the skin of a coyote and sucks their blood, sometimes causing disease. 4. _____A cheetah chases after a gazelle. A. B. C. D. Mutualism Predator-Prey Commensalism Parasitism

• Which organism will have the lowest energy? • Which organism will have the highest biomass?

Biodiversity Definition • Biodiversity = number of different species that live in an ecosystem – Low biodiversity: few species – High: many species

Low Biodiversity

High Biodiversity

Low or High Biodiversity?

Low or High Biodiversity?

Low or High Biodiversity?

Benefits of Biodiversity • Key Point #1: There are three main benefits to biodiversity –Many people find nature beautiful –Provides medicines –Preserves ecosystem stability

Ecosystem stability… What? • Stable = things stay the same • Key Point #2: High biodiversity = stable ecosystem, low biodiversity = unstable ecosystem – If an ecosystem is unstable, one small change could cause many species to die – If an ecosystem is stable, it does not change easily

Another way to write that! • Key Point #2: High biodiversity = stable ecosystem, low biodiversity = unstable ecosystem – CHANGE! • Lots of species die Unstable • Most species don’t change Stable

Threats to Biodiversity • • • H- habitat loss I- introduced species P-pollution P-population growth O-overuse

Protect Biodiversity • • Clean up Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Low meat consumption Low water consumption Garden Car Pool Preserving Land Wildlife