Unit 14 – Ecological Interactions On the following slides, the green sections are the summary. Underline words = vocabulary! Hyperlinks are in blue! Background Image from National Geographic; Photograph by Stephen Toner/Getty ImagesNational Geographic

What is Ecology? What is Ecology? Different parts of the world have different in environments. In this unit, we will study the interdependence and interactions between organisms and the environment; better known as ecology. Everything on Earth [air, water, plants and animals] is connected. Background Image from National Geographic; Photograph by Stephen Toner/Getty ImagesNational Geographic

Find Someone Who 1.Knows the basics of the water cycle. 2.Knows the difference between evaporation and condensation. 3.Knows the processes that add carbon to the atmosphere and remove carbon from the atmosphere? 4.Knows how nitrogen enters the cells of plants? 5.Knows the first organisms to colonize a newly formed volcanic island.

The Biosphere Earth is divided into different spheres - the biosphere (“bio” meaning life) includes all living things; a biological community including life on land, in water, and in air.

Recycling the Biosphere Recycling the Biosphere The nutrients of the Earth are constantly being recycled. There are specific cycles necessary for life on Earth to exist: –The Water Cycle –The Carbon Cycle –The Nitrogen Cycle

Knowledge Check Let us review the components of the water cycle on the diagram. What does #3 represent? #2? #4? Turn and talk to your neighbor.

The Water Cycle The Water Cycle The water cycle is defined as the movement of water through different reservoirs on Earth in any phase (solid, liquid, gas). –#2 = Condensation –#3 = Evaporation –#4 = Precipitation

Water Cycle Cont. Evaporation – water changes from liquid to gas Transpiration – water evaporates from the leaves of plants Condensation – water in the atmosphere cools to form clouds Precipitation – water returns to Earth’s surface in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail

The Carbon Cycle The Carbon Cycle Carbon is an important element found in living tissues – the carbon cycle is the movement of carbon through the Earth. You can find calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) in your bones. Humans and other animals breathe out carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Plants need CO 2 for photosynthesis.

Follow the arrows to show where the carbon goes within the cycle.

Carbon Cycle & Climate Change The carbon cycle impacts the climate. Two gases in the carbon cycle (CO 2 and methane, CH 4 ) increase the greenhouse effect; like a blanket it keeps energy within Earth’s ozone layer, thus leads to warming. Greenhouse gas concentrations from deforestation, fossil fuel pollution, and landfills have caused an increase in global temperature and climate change.

The Nitrogen Cycle The Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen is another important element for life; it is found in the proteins of all organisms. The nitrogen cycle moves nitrogen from the environment into organisms; you can find nitrogen in water, soil, and the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle Cont. Nitrogen is essential for plants; it is absorbed through the roots with the help of soil bacteria Excess nitrogen can cause problems for ecosystems; an increase in nitrogen, specifically in aquatic ecosystems can disrupt the natural cycle. –Fertilizer runoff, can affect the nitrogen cycle. wastewater treatments, and air pollution –It causes excessive algae growth which chokes out oxygen for the organisms; hypoxia. Video

Follow the arrows to show where the nitrogen goes within the cycle.

What would happen next?

Ecological Succession Ecological Succession The natural changes that take place in a community over time is called succession. Succession Animation Virginia creeper colonizing burned forest in Sam Houston National Forest, on Little Lake Creek Loop Trail. Richards, Texas, May 4, 2008 Image Image

Succession Cont. Succession Cont. Primary Succession – when the first [initial] organisms pioneer species EX lichen, mosses colonize barren land [EX glacier retreat, volcanic eruption].

Comparison photos showing the decline of Pedersen Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska. In addition to the decline of the glacier itself, the lagoon in front of the glacier has also shrunk allowing an expansion of the surrounding grassland. Image

Succession Cont. Succession Cont. Secondary Succession – the changes in a community after an event [EX forest fire].

When the community of organisms becomes stable, it is a climax community. Succession Cont. Succession Cont.