Ecological Terminology Niche = the role of the species in a specific area Niche = the role of the species in a specific area
Ecological Terminology Fundamental niche = the potential space that could be used by a species Fundamental niche = the potential space that could be used by a species Realized niche = part of the fundamental niche that is actually used by a species Realized niche = part of the fundamental niche that is actually used by a species
Ecological Terminology Habitat = the place where a group of animals live Habitat = the place where a group of animals live
Ecological Terminology Population = a group of the same species Population = a group of the same species
Ecological Terminology Community = the many different species that live in a habitat Community = the many different species that live in a habitat
Ecological Terminology Ecosystem = the community of species and the physical features in an area Ecosystem = the community of species and the physical features in an area
Ecological Terminology Biotic features = the living features in an ecosystem Biotic features = the living features in an ecosystem
Ecological Terminology Biodiversity = the variety of living species Biodiversity = the variety of living species
Ecological Terminology Flora = the plants Flora = the plants
Ecological Terminology Fauna = the animals Fauna = the animals
Ecological Terminology Abiotic Features = the nonliving features in an ecosystem Abiotic Features = the nonliving features in an ecosystem
Ecological Terminology Primary succession = succession that occurs where no species existed before Primary succession = succession that occurs where no species existed before
Ecological Terminology Pioneer Species = first species to enter an area Pioneer Species = first species to enter an area
Ecological Terminology Secondary succession = succession in areas that have established species Secondary succession = succession in areas that have established species
Tropical Rainforest Long wet period, short dry period Long wet period, short dry period Hot all year Hot all year Rich variety of life Rich variety of life
Tropical Rainforest
Deserts Little moisture Little moisture Varying daily temps Varying daily temps Poor variety of life Poor variety of life
Deserts
Savanna (tropical grassland) Wet season / dry season Wet season / dry season Warm all year Warm all year Characterized by tall grasses and few trees Characterized by tall grasses and few trees
Savanna
Temperate grassland Wet season / dry season Wet season / dry season Seasons Seasons Also known as the Pampas (S.A.) an the Steppe (Asia) Also known as the Pampas (S.A.) an the Steppe (Asia)
Temperate Grassland
Deciduous Forest Moderate precip all year Moderate precip all year Definite seasons Definite seasons Characterized by deciduous trees (oak,elm) Characterized by deciduous trees (oak,elm)
Deciduous Forest
Taiga Moderate precipitation Moderate precipitation Cold winters / cool summers Cold winters / cool summers Characterized by coniferous trees (pines) Characterized by coniferous trees (pines)
Taiga
Tundra Dry season / wet season Dry season / wet season Cold all year Cold all year Characterized by prermafrost and lack of trees Characterized by prermafrost and lack of trees
Tundra
I. Species= a group of organisms that can interbreed successfully
- New species can be created by isolation
- Species can be lost by extinction * Can be result of natural selection or man-mad
Types of Population Growth Exponential Growth = rapid growth due to lack of limiting factors Exponential Growth = rapid growth due to lack of limiting factors * forms a “J” curve * forms a “J” curve
Types of Population Growth - Logistic Growth = slow growth when controlled by factors * forms an “S” curve * forms an “S” curve
Size of Populations Large = too large can create shortages of resources Large = too large can create shortages of resources
Size of Populations Small = too small can lead to inbreeding Small = too small can lead to inbreeding
Populations 3. Density = number of individuals in a given area
Dispersion of Populations
Density Dependent Factors = dependent on the # of animals Food, water Food, water Disease, parasites Disease, parasites Predator / prey Predator / prey
Density Independent Factors = not influenced by population numbers Weather Events Weather Events Changes in ecosystem Changes in ecosystem
Carrying Capacity Maximum # of indiv. an environment can support Maximum # of indiv. an environment can support
Native Species Have always existed in an area Have always existed in an area
Immigrant Species = are new to an area (introduced, exotic)
Indicator Species Change quickly in response to changes in the environment Change quickly in response to changes in the environment
Keystone species Actions lead to changes in many different species Actions lead to changes in many different species
“r” Strategists Little parental care Little parental care High mortality High mortality High fluctuation in population High fluctuation in population
“k” Strategist Intense parental care Intense parental care High survivability High survivability Stable populations Stable populations
Interaction Among Species A. Predation = one organism feeds off another
Interaction Among Species B. Parasitism = one organism feeds off anther without killing it
Interaction Among Species 1.Host = organism that supports the parasite 2. Ectoparasite = parasite that lives on the outside of the body
Interaction Among Species 3. Endoparasite = parasite that lives inside the host
Interaction Among Species 1. Mutualism = relationship in which both members benefit
Interaction Among Species 2. Commensalism = relationship in which one species benefits and the other is not affected.
Defense by Plants A. Chemical = production of toxins
Defense by plants
Defense by Plants B.Mechanical = growth of thorns, spines or release of sticky secretions
Defense by Plants
C. Biotic = host protective species
Defense by Animals A. Cammoflauge = blend in to environment
Defense by Animals B. Aposematic coloration = “warning” colors
Defense by Animals C. Chemical = production of repellents
Defense by Animals D. Structural = barriers against attack
Defense by Animals E. Behavioral = behavior discourages attack
Mutualism Both members benefit Both members benefit Ex: Rhino and oxpecker Ex: Rhino and oxpecker
Parasitism One member benefits and the other is harmed One member benefits and the other is harmed ex: cat and tapeworm ex: cat and tapeworm
Commensalism One member benefits and the other is not affected One member benefits and the other is not affected ex: clown fish and sea anemone ex: clown fish and sea anemone
Water Cycle Evaporation = liquid to gas Evaporation = liquid to gas Transpiration = release of water vapor from plants Transpiration = release of water vapor from plants Condensation = water droplets form Condensation = water droplets form Precipitation = droplets fall Precipitation = droplets fall
Carbon Cycle Carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis Carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis - some carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean and is used by shellfish to make their shells - some carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean and is used by shellfish to make their shells * plants and oceans are carbon “reservoirs” * plants and oceans are carbon “reservoirs”
Carbon Cycle Plants and animals return CO2 to the air during respiration and decomposition Plants and animals return CO2 to the air during respiration and decomposition
Carbon Cycle Some plants and animals die and form fossil fuels Some plants and animals die and form fossil fuels
Carbon Cycle Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the air Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the air
Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation = atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia compounds Nitrogen Fixation = atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia compounds - N2 cannot be used directly by plants - N2 cannot be used directly by plants - process takes place in the roots of legumes by bacteria - process takes place in the roots of legumes by bacteria
Nitrogen Cycle Nitrification = ammonia compounds are converted into nitrates Nitrification = ammonia compounds are converted into nitrates
Nitrogen Cycle Assimilation = plants use the nitrates Assimilation = plants use the nitrates
Nitrogen Cycle Dentrification = left over ammonia is converted into atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria in soil and released into the air Dentrification = left over ammonia is converted into atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria in soil and released into the air