ECOLOGY

What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and their environment. Biosphere contains the combined portions of the planet in which life exists; including land, water, and atmosphere. Biosphere contains the combined portions of the planet in which life exists; including land, water, and atmosphere. A Biome is a region of the world characterized by temperature, precipitation, and types of organisms example: desert, rainforest A Biome is a region of the world characterized by temperature, precipitation, and types of organisms example: desert, rainforest

Introduction to Ecology Video “Introduction to Ecology”

BIOTIC FACTORSABIOTIC FACTORS (living things)(non-living things) LionsSoil TreesPrecipitation BacteriaAir Temperature

Energy Flow Sunlight is the main source of energy for life on Earth. Sunlight is the main source of energy for life on Earth. Autotrophs (producers) use energy from the sun to produce complex organic molecules (FOOD!). Autotrophs (producers) use energy from the sun to produce complex organic molecules (FOOD!).

Energy Flow Heterotrophs (consumers) rely on other organisms for their energy and food. Heterotrophs (consumers) rely on other organisms for their energy and food. –Herbivores obtain energy by eating plants. –Carnivores eat animals. –Omnivores eat both plants and animals. –Detritivores feed on the remains of plants, animals and other dead matter. Decomposers breaks down organic matter. Decomposers breaks down organic matter. Niche: where an organisms lives AND what it does (kind of like a job description) Niche: where an organisms lives AND what it does (kind of like a job description)

Feeding Relationships Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (consumers). Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (consumers). Food Chains are a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Food Chains are a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Food webs show many interacting food chains. Food webs show many interacting food chains. Each step in a food chain or web is called a trophic level. Each step in a food chain or web is called a trophic level.

Food Webs & Food Chains Video “Food Chains and Food Webs” Same website as previous

Ecological Energy Pyramids An energy pyramid is a diagram that shows the amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food web or food chain. An energy pyramid is a diagram that shows the amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food web or food chain. Only 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. Only 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level. Much of the energy is lost as HEAT, waste, or cellular respiration. Much of the energy is lost as HEAT, waste, or cellular respiration. Because each trophic level gets only about 10% of the energy from the level below, it can support only about 1/10 th the amount of living tissue. Because each trophic level gets only about 10% of the energy from the level below, it can support only about 1/10 th the amount of living tissue.

Pyramids Video “Pyraminds of Energy and Numbers” (same website as before)

The Big Idea! ENERGY does NOT cycle!! ENERGY does NOT cycle!! MATTER does! (Biogeochemical cycles) MATTER does! (Biogeochemical cycles)

Ecosystems Change! All parts of the ecosystem are connected, so when one changes all are affected. All parts of the ecosystem are connected, so when one changes all are affected. This change can either be positive or negative. This change can either be positive or negative. Can change the # of different organisms (biodiversity) or ecosystem stability Can change the # of different organisms (biodiversity) or ecosystem stability Example: Example: –Fire (+) for growth of new seeds, and prevents bigger fires by clearing out understory (-) for destruction and death

Human Impact on Ecosystems The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Populations Population: Many of one species living in a defined area Population: Many of one species living in a defined area Populations change too! Populations change too! –They grow and decline due to different factors J-Shaped S-shaped No limit to growth (NOT REALITY!!) *Limiting factors: competition for food or disease or predation Carrying capacity= maximum # of individuals this ecosystem can support Time (months) Population size

More about Populations Because we are talking about ecosystems, the growth or decline of one population may change other populations Because we are talking about ecosystems, the growth or decline of one population may change other populations Ex: predator-prey relationships (Snowshoe hare and Lynx) Ex: predator-prey relationships (Snowshoe hare and Lynx) Population size Time (months) Lynx Hare

THE END!!