Ecology

Scientific study of the interactions between __________ and their environment

The Scope of Ecology Ecology Reveals the richness of the _________ Determine both the distribution of organisms and their abundance

The Scope of Ecology The ______________ Principle Basically states that humans need to be concerned with how their actions affect the environment

Hierarchy of _________Interaction Individual (of a species) Population (all individuals in an area of a certain species) Community (all populations of different species in an area; interactions) Ecosystem (biological and abiotic interactions- living and nonliving) Biome (specialized ecosystems in parts of world) Biosphere (zones of earth)

Individual Organism

Population

Community

________________

Biome

Biosphere

THE ENVIRONMENT

Organisms and the Environment The environment of any organism includes Abiotic, or __________ components Biotic, or __________ components All the other organisms living in the environment

Biotic Factors Biotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms may include Interactions with other species ____________ Competition

A specific case of an herbivore limiting distribution of a food species W. J. Fletcher tested the effects of two algae-eating animals, sea urchins and limpets, on seaweed abundance near Sydney, Australia. In areas adjacent to a control site, either the urchins, the limpets, or both were removed. EXPERIMENT RESULTS Fletcher observed a large difference in seaweed growth between areas with and without sea urchins Limpet Sea urchin Both limpets and urchins removed Only urchins removed Only limpets removed August 1982 February 1983 August 1983 February 1984 Control (both urchins and limpets present) Seaweed cover (%) Removing both limpets and urchins or removing only urchins increased seaweed cover dramatically. Almost no seaweed grew in areas where both urchins and limpets were present, or where only limpets were removed. Removing both limpets and urchins resulted in the greatest increase of seaweed cover, indicating that both species have some influence on seaweed distribution. But since removing only urchins greatly increased seaweed growth while removing only limpets had little effect, Fletcher concluded that sea urchins have a much greater effect than limpets in limiting seaweed distribution. CONCLUSION

Abiotic Factors Abiotic factors that affect the distribution of organisms may include Temperature Water ___________ Wind Rocks and soil

Abiotic Factors __________ Effects metabolism Survival in extremes forces adaptations Ex. Wood frog Is an important factor in the distribution of organisms because of its effects on biological processes

Abiotic Factors Water Solute concentration inside and outside of a water organism ___________ Adaptations to retain water Cuticle on leaves Skin

Abiotic Factors __________(solar energy) Controls growth of algae in aquatic environments Affects photosynthesis Plant growth

Abiotic Factors _______ Blows nutrients across land and water Disperses pollen and seeds Affects water loss Damages ecosystems

Wind Amplifies the effects of temperature on organisms by increasing heat loss due to evaporation and convection Can change the __________ of plants

Abiotic Factors Rocks and ________ Limits distribution of plants and animals Soil variation Affects plant and animal life in streams and rivers

Rocks and Soil Many characteristics of soil limit the distribution of plants and thus the animals that feed upon them Physical structure ____ Mineral composition

Abiotic Factors Periodic Disturbances Catastrophes _______ Hurricanes Tornadoes _________Eruptions Re-colonization occurs

Abiotic Factors Global Climate Patterns Solar energy and latitude ___________ Air circulation Ocean currents

Energy Flow Where does the energy come from that is needed by particular animals and plants? ________________ → Respiration H 2 O + CO 2 → C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 → H 2 O + CO 2

How do organisms obtain energy? ___________ – organisms that take in energy from the sun and store it. Produce energy via photosynthesis Autotrophs (auto = self, troph = energy) Ex. plants, algae & some bacteria _____________ - a consumer that eats organic wastes and breaks it down to its organic materials. Ex. bacteria, fungi

How do organisms obtain energy? __________ – organisms that obtain energy by eating or consuming other organisms. Produce energy via respiration Heterotrophs (hetero = other, troph = energy) Ex. animals, most bacteria & protists and all fungi

__________ Levels Organisms are assigned to trophic levels. The first trophic level - producers. The second trophic level consists of primary consumers. They are herbivores (plant eaters). The third trophic level consists of secondary __________. They eat organisms in the second trophic level. They are carnivores (meat eaters). There can be four or five or even more trophic levels. Most ecosystems do not contain more than 5 trophic levels.

Trophic Level _________________ Animals feed at more than one trophic level and rely on more than one species within a trophic level. This relationship, which is actually the transfer of energy, can be shown in a food web. A food chain is one aspect of a food web.

Trophic Level Relationships __________ flows from producers to consumers. The arrows in a food chain or food web always point in the direction of energy flow. It does not point to what an organism eats.

Trophic Level Relationships At each trophic level, the energy stored in the organism is about 1/10th that of the level below it. This is measured and illustrated with an _________________. Producers are always at the bottom of an ecological pyramid. Organisms at higher trophic levels are less numerous than those at

Assignment – You Need to: Artistically Create an Environment/Ecosystem (be creative) Identify a Location, Climate & Size Have an Energy Flow Diagram & Draw a food web least 3 Producers, Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Consumers (3 for each level) & 2 Decomposers List the biotic & abiotic factors How would each organism be affected if a 4 th level consumer was added? Add a Disturbance to your Ecosystem Look on Whiteboard for more directions on this

Effects in Humans and Society Human society is impacted as well: ___________decreases the resource value of rivers, lakes, and estuaries such that recreation, fishing, hunting, and aesthetic enjoyment are hindered.