1. Introduction to Ecosystems Ecology

2. Ecology is the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment. –An organism is any living thing Examples: Humans, animals, plant, bacteria

3. Ecology The Biosphere –The biosphere is the living world –Includes any organisms that are found in the air, on land, or in the water

4. Ecology The Ecosystem –Is a self supporting area composed of living and nonliving things such as the Rain Forest or the Desert –It produces energy, transfers energy, decomposes, and recycles –It made up of two (2) types of factors: Biotic and Abiotic

5. Ecology Abiotic Factors –are non living parts of the environment such as rocks, the sun, and temperature

6. Ecology Biotic Factors –The living parts of the environment such as plants, bacteria, and animals

7. Ecology Community –Is composed of all of the populations of different organisms living together in a given area such as your lawn (contains grass, insects, and worms) A population is a group of organisms that belong to the same species & live in a given area –Ex: heard of cattle or a gaggle of geese

8. Ecology Biome –Is a major type of ecosystem with its own temperature ranges, rainfall amounts, and types of organisms

9. Biomes Aquatic Biomes & Land Biomes

10. Aquatic Biomes Marine (Salt Water) –Location: Oceans & Estuaries –Types of Organisms: Kelp, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Tuna, Crabs, Shrimp, Lobsters, Salmon, Eels, Plankton

11. Aquatic Biomes Marine

12. Aquatic Biomes Freshwater –Location: Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, Ponds, Lakes, & Creeks –Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfish

13. Land Biomes Fresh Water

14. Aquatic Biomes Photic Zone – marine zone in which there is the presence of light from the sun (plants can grow in this zone) Aphotic Zone - marine zone in which no light from the sun is present (very few organisms live in this zone)

15. Aquatic Biomes Estuary – shallow area where salt water and fresh water mix

16. Aquatic Biomes Wetland – area where fresh water, salt water, and land mix (marshes, swamps, and bogs)

17. Land Biomes Tundra –Location: northern North America, northern Europe, northern Asia –Climate: Cold, ground stays covered in snow, permafrost – permanent frozen layer of ground, scarce rainfall, very short summers

18. Land Biomes Tundra –Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants that do need a lot of water –Animals: caribou, migrating birds (come for the short summer)

19. Land Biomes Tundra

20. Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest –Location: near the Equator, Africa, & South America –Climate: Hot and Humid, rains everyday

21. Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest –Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall trees, thick vegetation on the ground, dense canopy –Animals: parrots, Apes, Toucans, Monkeys, Leopards, other predatory Cats, Snakes

22. Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest

23. Land Biomes Coniferous Forest –Location: Canada, Washington (State), Russia, China –Climate: long cold Winters, short Summers, frequent Rain

24. Land Biomes Coniferous Forest –Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars –Animals: Moose, Bear, Lynx, Hibernating Animals, Migrating Animals

25. Land Biomes Deciduous Forest –Location: eastern United States (think about where we live), most of Europe, Australia –Climate: hot Summers, cold Winters, Rainfall throughout the year

26. Land Biomes Deciduous Forest –Plants: Trees that lose their leaves, Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores, Willows –Animals: Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Deer, Squirrels, Birds

27. Land Biomes Deciduous Forest

28. Land Biomes Desert –Location: Africa (think Scorpion King or the Mummy) –Climate: Hot, can snow at night, sparse Rainfall

29. Land Biomes Desert –Plants: Succulent Plants (retain water in the leaves), Cacti, and small Shrubs –Animals: Lizards, Snakes, small Rodents, other Rodents

30. Land Biomes Desert

31. Land Biomes Grassland –Location: Midwest United States (think Little House on the Prairie), Africa (think the Lion King), Asia, South America –Climate: long dry periods with occasional fires

32. Land Biomes Grassland –Plants: several species of Grasses, scattered Trees, and Wildflowers –Animals: burrowing Animals – Rabbits, Moles, & Rodents, grazing Animals – Buffalo, Zebras, and Giraffes, Lions, and Hyenas

33. Land Biomes Grassland

34. Land Biomes Chaparral

35. Land Biomes Taiga