1.2 Ecosystems By studying ecosystems now, and in the past, we can better understand what may happen in the future. –Historical ecology is the study of natural records and written materials in an attempt to better understand the ecology of a certain area. –Many First Nations’ sources are also utilized to better understand nature.

1.2 Ecosystems An ecosystem is made up of many parts. –Abiotic factors include air, water, soil, nutrients and light. –Biotic factors include plants, animals and micro- organisms. –Ecosystems can take up many hectares of land, or can be the size of an old log. –A habitat is the place in which an organism lives. The habitat of the red fox often includes the edges of forests or marshlands.

Abiotic Interactions in Ecosystems Although they are sometimes overlooked, the abiotic components are what allow the biotic components to survive in an ecosystem. –Abiotic factors include… oxygen, water, nutrients, light, and soil.

Abiotic Interactions in Ecosystems Oxygen is produced by the green plants and certain micro-organisms, and is used by animals and most other micro-organisms. Water is necessary for all life. Nutrients often enter the food chain with plants, and are very important for growth. Light is required for photosynthesis, which is the process in plants that converts and stores the Sun’s energy into starches and carbohydrates. Soil not only contains water and nutrients, but also is home to many plants and animals.

Biotic Interactions in Ecosystems A community of organisms = all of the organisms from different populations that interact within an ecosystem. –A population of organisms refers to all of the members of a certain species within an ecosystem. –A species refers to all of the organisms within an ecosystem that have the same structure, and who can reproduce with each other. Biological interactions are sometimes ordered in an ecological hierarchy. _________<__________<_________<_________<___ ______

Label the parts of a biosphere… biome community ecosystem organism population species

Biotic Interactions in Ecosystems Symbiotic relationships are interactions between members of two different species that live together in close association over a period of time. –Commensalism - one species benefits, one is not affected Ex. the barnacles on a whale –Mutualism - both species benefit Ex. a bee gathering nectar from a flower –Parasitism - one species benefits the other is harmed Ex. a hookworm living in dogs

Niches, Competition and Predation A niche refers to the role an organism has within an ecosystem. –How an organism fits into its environment physically, chemically and biologically.

Niches, Competition and Predation Competition occurs when two or more individuals desire the same resource (in the same location at the same time). –Competition usually means resources are limited –This limits the size and health of that individual, and perhaps that population.

Niches, Competition and Predation Predation is the relationship between the “eaters” and the “eaten”. –Predators have adaptations to help them catch their prey.

Niches, Competition and Predation Prey have adaptations to help avoid predators. –Examples include: spines shells camouflage production of poisons mimicry

Mimicry MONARCH (yuck!) VICEROY (yum!)

Niches, Competition and Predation The number of predators and prey influence each other.

Biodiversity in Ecosystems Biodiversity refers to the the variety and number of different individuals and species in an ecosystem. –*Healthy ecosystems generally have high biodiversity. –Most biodiversity losses occur from the loss of habitat.

Biodiversity in Ecosystems Humans often have a negative impact on biodiversity (surprise, surprise!). –Many efforts are now made to lessen this impact in order to maintain biodiversity. –Ecological management programs try to balance human progress with maintaining biodiversity.

CHAPTER 1 REVIEW! 1. What are the major biomes found in Canada? A. tundra and boreal forest B. tundra and temperate deciduous forest C. boreal forest and temperate deciduous forest D. temperate rainforest and temperate deciduous forest

2. What two factors are most responsible for limiting life in a particular area? A. precipitation and sunlight B. sunlight and temperature C. precipitation and temperature D. precipitation and soil conditions

3. Where is the boreal forest biome found? A. above the Tropic of Cancer B. below the Tropic of Capricorn C. near the equator D. between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn

4. What characteristics are tropical forests known for? I - high diversity relative to other forests II - abundance of large mammals relative to other forests III - high year-round temperatures relative to other forests A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and III only E. I, II, and III

5. Which best describes the distribution of communities on a tall mountain? A. Coniferous forest grows above the tree line, and no vegetation grows below it. B. Several biome conditions might be present depending on elevation, and there may be permanent ice conditions on top of the mountain. C. With increasing elevation, tall trees are replaced by shorter trees and ultimately are replaced by grasses. D. Tundra-like conditions exist at the top of the highest mountains, and deserts are found at the lower elevations.

6. What is the correct order of biomes you would observe if travelling from the equator to the North Pole? A. boreal forest, tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, tundra B. tropical rainforest, boreal forest, temperate deciduous forest, tundra C. tropical rainforest, temperate deciduous forest, boreal forest, tundra D. tropical rainforest, boreal forest, tundra, temperate deciduous forest E. tundra, temperate deciduous forest, boreal forest, tropical rainforest

7. Which of the following would be a biotic factor in a vegetable garden? A. the amount of nitrogen in the soil B. the amount of rainfall received C. the number of earthworms per cubic metre of soil D. the concentration of oxygen in the soil

8. In which of these relationships does neither party benefit? A. competition B. mutualism C. predation D. commensalism E. parasitism

9. If you were studying the niche of a bird species, what might you study? A. the food it eats B. its predators C. the temperatures required for it to reproduce D. the types of areas where it builds its nest E. all of these

TERMDESCRIPTOR _____ 10. behavioral adaptation A. Soil conditions are example. _____ 11. structural adaptationB. the interaction between members of two different species that live together in the same ecosystem _____ 12. bioticC. the interaction between species where one species benefits and the other is not helped nor harmed _____ 13. abioticD. what an organism does to survive in the unique conditions of the environment _____ 14. symbiosisE. Decomposers are an example _____ 15. commensalismF. a physical feature of an organism’s body having a specific function that contributes to the survival of the organism G. the interaction between species where one species benefits and the other species is harmed