INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY What is Ecology Ecology is

INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY

What is Ecology? Ecology is the scientific study of: interactions between organisms and the environment. It is the study of the interactions between: different groups of organisms. It is the study of the interactions between: organisms and the environment. It is the study of the interactions that exists between: the living and nonliving components of the environment.

These interactions occur on many levels, ranging from the _____ global level. organismal level to a _______ The field of ecology was begun in 1866 by Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist.

The Role of Climate What is the difference between weather and climate? 1. Weather is the day-to-day condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. 2. Climate refers to the average, yearafter-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Climate is the result of many different factors: 1. The trapping of heat by the atmosphere 2. The latitude 3. The transport of heat by winds and ocean currents 4. The amount of precipitation that occurs 5. The shape and elevation of the landmass

The State of Today’s Environment Problems we face: Exploding Human Population The Sixth Mass Extinction Damage to the Ozone Layer Climate Changes

The Exploding Human Population One of the most significant environmental changes to occur on Earth is: the exploding human population. Between 1930 and 1999, the human population on earth tripled from: 2 billion to 6 billion. By 2050, it is projected that the world’s population will be between: 7. 8 billion and 12. 5 billion. An increasing population places great demands on the environment. A greater food more population requires more _______, energy and more ____ space for the disposal _____, of wastes.

The Sixth Mass Extinction There is evidence in the fossil record of: five mass extinctions in Earth’s past history. A mass extinction is: a brief period of time in which large numbers of species die out and disappear. Many scientists are convinced that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. Currently, species are disappearing faster than at any other time since the last mass extinction. The last mass extinction occurred 65 million years ago and included the _______ disappearance of the _____. dinosaurs Scientists 1/5 th of the species in estimate that about _____ disappear in this century the world may ___________.

The Damage to the Ozone Layer Ozone is a molecule composed of: three atoms of oxygen. The ozone in the upper atmosphere: protects and shields the organisms on Earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. An abundance of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) __________________ is causing damage to this protective layer of ozone.

The Damage to the Ozone Layer CFC’s that are produced by industrial chemicals react _________ ozone causing its with ______, destruction ______. Because of the protective nature of ozone, only about: 1% of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation gets through the ozone shield to reach the Earth. Even such a small amount of ultraviolet radiation is harmful in sunburns and millions the form of ______ skin cancer each year. of cases of _______ With the further depletion of the ozone layer: more and more UV radiation will reach Earth’s surface.

Climate Changes The greenhouse effect is the mechanism that _____ insulates our planet from the: deep cold of outer space. Gases in our atmosphere: such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap a portion of the sun’s energy, preventing it from escaping. This has a _______ warming effect on Earth.

EARTH Greenhouse gases allow solar energy to: penetrate the atmosphere in the form of sunlight. However, these same greenhouse gases do not allow: the heat energy to pass out of the atmosphere. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon and life on Earth: would not be possible without it. The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence in which heat is: retained in the atmosphere by this blanket of greenhouse gases. The heat trapped by these gases has a warming effect on Earth.

However, human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere. The: _______ burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) _____________________ releases large amounts of ________ carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

This increase in temperature may change global weather patterns and lead to rising sea levels as polar ice melts. It is estimated that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by ______ 25% over 100 years. The the last ______ addition of large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases has led to an increased greenhouse effect, causing greater than normal: warming of the atmosphere.

The Effect of Latitude on Climate Because Earth is a sphere that is tilted on its axis, solar radiation strikes the surface of Earth at different angles. As a result of differences in latitude and the angle of heating, Earth has three main climate zones: 1. Polar zones 2. Temperate zones 3. Tropical zones

Polar zones are cold areas where the: sun’s rays strike Earth at a very low angle. These zones are located around the North and South poles.

The temperate zones are sites between the: polar zones and the tropics. changing angle of the sun This area is more affected by the ____________ over the course of a year. Therefore, the climate ranges from ______ hot to cold depending on the season.

The tropical zone is near the equator. The tropics receive direct or nearly direct sunlight all year long. This climate is almost always warm.

Heat Transfer in the Biosphere – Winds and Currents The ________ unequal heating of Earth’s surfaces is the driving force behind: winds and currents. Winds and currents are responsible for transporting heat throughout the _________ biosphere. Winds occur because: warm air tends to rise and cool air tends to sink. This creates air currents, or winds, that move heat through the atmosphere, from regions of sinking air to regions of rising air. The prevailing winds bring warm or cold air to a region, affecting its climate.

Heat Transfer in the Biosphere – Winds and Currents Similar patterns of heating and cooling occur in Earth’s _______. oceans Cold water near the poles ______ sinks and then flows parallel to the ocean floor. It eventually _____ rises again when it reaches warmer regions upwelling in a process called _____. surface water At the same time, winds are pushing the _______ to new areas. The temperature of the surface currents affects the weather and climate of nearby ______. landmasses