Ecology Ecology is the study of organisms within their environment. Ecology is the study of organisms within their environment. Matter cycles Matter cycles Energy flows Energy flows The sun is the ultimate source of energy on earth The sun is the ultimate source of energy on earth Trophic level- one step in a food chain or pyramid Trophic level- one step in a food chain or pyramid

Food Chains Producers- photosynthetic organisms that capture energy from the sun. Producers- photosynthetic organisms that capture energy from the sun. Consumers- organisms that consume plants or other organisms to obtain energy. Consumers- organisms that consume plants or other organisms to obtain energy. Decomposer- Bacteria and fungi that eat decayed organisms Decomposer- Bacteria and fungi that eat decayed organisms

Food Chains Herbivores- animals that eat plants and other producers Herbivores- animals that eat plants and other producers Carnivores- animals that eat other animals Carnivores- animals that eat other animals Omnivores- animals that eat both plants and animals Omnivores- animals that eat both plants and animals Detritivores- organisms that eat organic wastes from dead organisms Detritivores- organisms that eat organic wastes from dead organisms

Ecology terms Habitat- the place where a population of a species lives Habitat- the place where a population of a species lives Community- the different species that live within the habitat Community- the different species that live within the habitat Ecosystem- the biotic and abiotic factors of a habitat Ecosystem- the biotic and abiotic factors of a habitat Abiotic- the physical aspects of a habitat (soil, air, water) Abiotic- the physical aspects of a habitat (soil, air, water) Biotic- the living things in a habitat Biotic- the living things in a habitat

Biogeochemical cycles The Water cycle The Water cycle Evaporation- water heated to water vapor Evaporation- water heated to water vapor Condensation- water vapor becomes clouds Condensation- water vapor becomes clouds Precipitation- Rain, Hail, Snow, Sleet etc. Precipitation- Rain, Hail, Snow, Sleet etc. Runoff- drains into streams, rivers, lakes, oceans Runoff- drains into streams, rivers, lakes, oceans Percolation- water goes into soil with ground water Percolation- water goes into soil with ground water Transpiration- water released from plants Transpiration- water released from plants

The Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle Respiration- plants and animals through cellular respiration release CO 2 into the air. Respiration- plants and animals through cellular respiration release CO 2 into the air. Photosynthesis- plants use CO 2 in the air to make organic materials. Photosynthesis- plants use CO 2 in the air to make organic materials. Combustion- when plants, wood, and fossil fuels (organic materials turned into coal, oil, and gas) are burned CO 2 is released into the atmosphere. Combustion- when plants, wood, and fossil fuels (organic materials turned into coal, oil, and gas) are burned CO 2 is released into the atmosphere. Erosion- exposed limestone will release CO 2 into the water or air. Erosion- exposed limestone will release CO 2 into the water or air.

The Nitrogen Cycle ~78% of the atmosphere is unusable N 2. ~78% of the atmosphere is unusable N 2. Living things need nitrogen to build amino acids. Living things need nitrogen to build amino acids. Nitrogen fixation- N 2 gas is converted to ammonia. Nitrogen fixation- N 2 gas is converted to ammonia. Ammonification- bacteria in the soil convert decomposing organic materials into NH 3. Ammonification- bacteria in the soil convert decomposing organic materials into NH 3. Nitrification- ammonia is converted to nitrates Nitrification- ammonia is converted to nitrates Assimilation- Plant roots take in nitrogen in the form of nitrates (NO 3 -1 ) Assimilation- Plant roots take in nitrogen in the form of nitrates (NO 3 -1 ) Denitrification- reduction of nitrates by bacteria into nitrogen gas. Denitrification- reduction of nitrates by bacteria into nitrogen gas.

Symbiotic Relationships Symbiosis- relationship of species that live together in a close, long term association. Symbiosis- relationship of species that live together in a close, long term association. Predation- one organism kills another for food. Predation- one organism kills another for food. Parasitism- a parasite benefits and a host is harmed. Parasitism- a parasite benefits and a host is harmed. Mutualism- symbiosis where both species benefit. Mutualism- symbiosis where both species benefit. Commensalism- relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed or helped. Commensalism- relationship where one species benefits and the other is neither harmed or helped. m m m m

Symbiosis Secondary compounds- defensive chemicals in plants or animals Secondary compounds- defensive chemicals in plants or animals Competition- species using the same resources Competition- species using the same resources Niche- the role a species plays within an ecosystem Niche- the role a species plays within an ecosystem Fundamental niche Fundamental niche Realized niche Realized niche Biodiversity- the variety of organisms and species within an ecosystem. Biodiversity- the variety of organisms and species within an ecosystem.

Biomes Biome- a large area with a type of climate and certain types of plants and animals. Biome- a large area with a type of climate and certain types of plants and animals. Climate- the physical conditions and average weather conditions of a particular area over a long period of time. Climate- the physical conditions and average weather conditions of a particular area over a long period of time. Moisture Moisture Temperature Temperature

Terrestrial Biomes Tropical Rain Forest Tropical Rain Forest Savannas Savannas Taiga Taiga Deserts Deserts Temperate Grassland Temperate Grassland Temperate Deciduous Forest Temperate Deciduous Forest Temperate Evergreen (Coniferous) Forest Temperate Evergreen (Coniferous) Forest Tundra Tundra

Population Growth When populations go unchecked, they will grow exponentially. When populations go unchecked, they will grow exponentially. Populations are limited by different factors. (predators, disease, resources,etc) Populations are limited by different factors. (predators, disease, resources,etc) Carrying capacity is the size a population is limited by an environment. Carrying capacity is the size a population is limited by an environment. Density-dependent factors- are affect by the size of a population. Density-dependent factors- are affect by the size of a population. Density independent factors are not affected by the size of a population. Density independent factors are not affected by the size of a population.

Succession Primary succession occurs in an area where life has not lived before. Primary succession occurs in an area where life has not lived before. Secondary succession occurs in areas where there has been life before. Secondary succession occurs in areas where there has been life before. Pioneer species are organism that are the first to live in an area. Pioneer species are organism that are the first to live in an area.