Ecosystems and Communities Chapter 4

Climate weather conditions in an area year after year. Includes temperature, precipitation, winds and humidity. Temperature and precipitation are the two most important climate factors.

Greenhouse effect Heat trapped in the atmosphere by gases. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. Fig. 4-1

Effect of latitude Latitude and angle of heating make three zones: –Polar –Temperate –Tropical

Effect of latitude Fig. 4-2 Which latitude is the polar zone? Which zone receives the most light? What kind of light does the temperate zone receive?

Heat transport Fig.4-3 Wind currents are warm air rising and cold air falling. Where is the cold water coming from? What else can interfere with these currents?

Biotic and abiotic factors Biotic-biological influences on organisms. –Ex. Plants,animals Abiotic- nonliving influences. –Ex.Wind,climate,rain, temperature Habitat- area where an organism lives. Fig.4-4-What are the biotic factors in this picture?

Niche Organism (occupation) lives and uses physical and biological conditions. Food, temperature, it’s place in the food web, and reproduction. Fig.4-5 What would happen if two of the warbler species occupied the same niche?

Community Interaction Competition- organisms of the same or different species use the same resources. –Water, nutrients, light, food or space Predation-one organism captures and feeds on another organism. –Cheetah, sharks

Community Interaction Symbiosis- two species live close together. –Mutualism- both species benefit. –Ex. Flower and bee –Commensalism- one member benefits and the other is not affected. –Ex. Barnacles and whales –Parasitism- one lives on the another and harms it. Ex. Tapeworms and mammals

Ecological succession A series of changes which occur in an community over time.

Primary succession Fig.4-7- What types of animals would you expect to appear at each stage and why? Occurs on the surface where no soil exists. Primary species- first species to populate an area. –Ex. Lichens

Secondary succession A succession that follows a disturbance in community without removing the soil. –Ex. Forest fires and farm fields

Succession in marine ecosystems Fig. 4-9 –What is found after the first stage? –Bones –What products are provided by bacteria in the next stage? –Energy and nutrients for new organisms.

Land Biomes Biome- group of ecosystems which have same climate and similar communities. Characteristics of a biome- * Climate- average temperature and precipitation in a region. * Ecological community- specific organisms.

Class activity Fill in the biome chart

Tropical Rain Forest Abiotic- hot,wet thin poor soil. Dominant plant- broad leaf evergreen trees, ferns,orchids Dominant wildlife- jaguars,monkeys,reptiles Geographic distribution- south and central america,southern India

Tropical Dry Forest decidiuous Abiotic- warm,wet and dry thin poor soil. Dominant plant- deciduous trees, aloe,orchids Dominant wildlife- tigers,monkeys,elephants Geographic distribution- Africa,Mexico,India, Australia

Tropical Savanna Abiotic- warm,seasonal rain,compact soil. Dominant plant- perennial grasses. Dominant wildlife- lions,elephants,eagles Geographic distribution- Africa,Brazil,Australia

Desert Less than 25 cm. rain. Abiotic- vary temperatures,soils rich in minerals. Dominant plant- cacti Dominant wildlife- fox,bats,hawks,reptiles. Geographic distribution- Africa,US.,Australia, Mexico

Temperate Grassland Prairies and plains Abiotic- seasonal rain and temperatures, fertile soils. Dominant plant- perennial grasses and herbs. Dominant wildlife-prairie dogs,hawks,wolves and grizzly bears. Geographic distribution- central Asia, US., Australia.

Temperate Woodland and shrubland Abiotic- hot,dry summers,thin poor soils. Dominant plant- woody evergreen shrubs. Dominant wildlife-foxes, hawks,and rabbits. Geographic distribution- south and north america, Australia

Temperate Forest Coniferous and deciduous. Abiotic- seasonal rain and mild temperatures, fertile soils. Dominant plant- conifers and deciduous trees. Dominant wildlife- deer, black bears,skunks Geographic distribution- Canada,eastern US., Europe.

Northern Coniferous Forest Abiotic- abundant rain and mild temperatures, acidic soils. Dominant plant- conifers and redwood. Dominant wildlife- bears,elk,owls. Geographic distribution- Pacific coast nw.US.and Canada.

Boreal Forest Taiga Abiotic- moderate rain, long,cold winters and acidic soils. Dominant plant- conifers and deciduous trees. Dominant wildlife- lynx,moose,beavers Geographic distribution- North US., Asia

Tundra permafrost Abiotic- low rain, long, cold winters and poor soils. Dominant plant- moss, lichens,short grass. Dominant wildlife- caribou, snowy owl, Artic fox Geographic distribution- North US., Asia, Europe

Other land areas Mountain ranges- colder temperature and more precipitation changes plants and animals. Polar ice caps- year-round cold limits variety of organisms.

Aquatic Ecosystems Determined by: depth,flow,temperature and chemistry of water. 3% of Earth’s surface is fresh water!!!

Freshwater ecosytems Flowing-water- rivers, streams, creeks and brooks. Fig.4-13 – Why would the amount of living things be less abundant? –What adaptations would a fish need to survive here?

Freshwater ecosytems Standing-water- lakes and ponds. Fig.4-14 –What might happen to aquatic food web if phytoplankton were removed from the ecosystem?

Freshwater ecosytems Wetland- an ecosystem where water covers or is near the surface of soil for part of the year. Bogs, marshes and swamps.

Freshwater ecosytems Estuaries – wetlands formed where rivers (fresh) and seas (salt) meet. Salt marsh- tall grasses –Chesapeake Bay Mangrove swamp- trees are short, gnarled –Florida Everglades

Marine ecosystems Classified by: photic, aphotic zones, depth and distance from shore, intertidal zone, the coastal ocean and open ocean. Fig How deep is the photic zone What does the aphotic zone include?

Intertidal zone Organisms exposed to varied temperature and sunlight conditions. Zonation- a banding of organisms in one area caused by competition.

Coastal ocean Extends from low-tide to edge of continental shelf. Rich in plankton and other organisms. Example: kelp forest- Fig.4-19

Coral reef Most diverse and productive ecosystem. Shallow water of tropical oceans. Fig.4-20 In what types of community interactions are coral animals involved?

Open ocean Oceanic zone Largest zone- 90% of Earth’s oceans. Low nutrients,and less producers. Ex: octopus, whales

Benthic zone Ocean floor Consumers only. Chemosynthetic producers (no light) to make energy.