Ecology The study of how organisms interact with their environment.

atch?v=1-HwPR_4mP4 ch?v=_5q8hzF9VVE Biogeography – the study of where organisms live Continental Drift – Motion of the earth’s Continents Has led to how species are distributed on earth

Primary Succession is a series of changes that occur in an area where no soil or organism can exist. Formed by a volcanic eruption or an undersea volcano. The first species to occur are known as pioneer species. Usually plant life.

Species Dispersal WindWater Animals Humans

How is species dispersal limited? Physical Barriers Competition Climate

How did continental drift affect climate? Different biomes are as a result of different temperature and precipitation. Tundra Desert Rain Forest Boreal Forest Grasslands Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Forest Biome Deciduous means losing leaves inches of rain per year 50° F average yearly temperature 4 seasons, cold in winter, hot in summer

Layers of the Deciduous Forest Emergent – tallest trees, exposed to strong sun and wind Canopy – roof of the forest, home to birds, small mammals, and insects Understory – shrubs, shade tolerant trees, provides shelter for larger mammals, insects, this is the future forest Forest Floor – seeds, dead trees, and leaves, fungi, small mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles,

Secondary succession are changes that occur to an area where the ecosysltem has been disturbed but where soil and organisms exist. Ex. Forest fire or clear cutting

Pennsylvania Forests 60% of Pennsylvania is forested Less than 15% of Montgomery county is forested Most common tree is the Red Maple Most valuable tree is the Cherry

Pennsylvania Habitats are places that provides living things with food, water, shelter and space. Forests Fields Streams and Rivers Riparian buffer is the edge of a water way lined with vegetation. Their roots help to reduce soil erosion and they also help to absorb pollutants.

Pennsylvania Habitats continued Wetlands – areas that are regulary covered with water. They are important in reducing soil erosion and also trap pollutants in their Sediment. Home to many different migratory birds Pond - is a small area of shallow open water Home to migratory birds Bill Nye video on wetlands

 Food  Water  Shelter  Mates What needs are met by an organism’s habitat?

List the abiotic and biotic factors in these pictures.

Organism – one individual Population – one species living in a certain area Community – all living species in a certain area

Ecosystem – all the living and nonliving things that interact in the deciduous forest.

Studying Populations Direct Observation – counting all of the members of a population Indirect Observation – observing signs of organisms

Studying Populations Sampling – if populations are very large or spread over a wide area and estimate is made Ex. To estimate the hemlock (PA State Tree) population in Pennsylvania you would count the trees in a small area and multiply to find the number in a larger area Wooly Adelgid

Studying Populations Mark – and – Recapture – estimate only, Organisms are captured and marked then rereleased only to be captured and counted at a later date

Scientists need to know the population density which is the total number of organisms that live within an area. The population density ( number of organisms in an area) is determined by the carrying capacity (the total number of organisms that the habitat can support)

How do populations increase in size? Birth Rate – Number of births in a population with a certain time period Immigration – moving into a population from another area

How do populations decrease in size? Death rate – the number of deaths in a population in a certain time period Emigration – moving out of a population to another area

Limiting factors for populations are things in the environment that decreases a population. Food and Water

Space and Weather are also limiting factors.

Adaptations are traits that organisms have to make them better suited for their environment.

Energy roles of organisms in an Ecosystem Producers Consumers Decomposers

Food chains vs. Food webs

Food Pyramid

Cycles in Nature - Water cycle Precipitation Surface Runoff Evaporation Condensation Bill Nye Water cycle video

Carbon and Oxygen Cycles

Nitrogen Cycles

Relationships between organisms Predator/Prey

Symbiotic Relationships are between two species where at least one species benefits. Mutualism = both species benefits Commensalism = one species benefits the other is neither harm or helped Parisitism = one species benefits and the other is harmed