ENVIRONMENT /ECOLOGY

Ecology: the study of the interactions between plants and animals Biotic: Living factors in the environment. E.g.: Animals, Plants, Bacteria, microorganisms

Abiotic Nonliving factors in the environment. Rocks, soil, water, intensity of light, temperature, moisture, gases in the atmosphere Oxygen, carbon, nitrogen. pH

Population: all the members of a given species in a given area at a given time. Community: all populations within a given area. Ecosystem: includes a community and its environment. (Biotic and Abiotic factors)

Biosphere: the part of the earth where living things exist. Ecosystem: a stable continuing environment composed of a living and nonliving environment.

Ecological succession: the replacement of one community by another.

Ecological Succession

Pond Ecological Succession

Pioneer organisms: the first organisms to occupy a location in the environment. They die at the end of each growing season and add nutrients to the soil. As communities pass the environment is improved for the next community.

Climax community: when the populations remain stable. All the organisms are doing well. The number dying is in balance with the number being born. This will continue until a devastating occurrence changes the conditions

Niche: the organisms role in the community. Habitat: the environment

Natural disasters will destroy a climax community and then it will take a number of years to rebuild. Pioneer organisms: the first organisms to occupy the environment. Natural disaster: earthquake, flood, mudslide, volcanoes, etc.

Limiting Factor: A factor that determines the type of organism that may exist in that environment. E.g.. Plants that live on the forest floor do not do well when exposed to sunlight. Temperature: some plants require warm temperatures (tropic climate) others do not. Dissolved oxygen levels in a body of water some fish need a lot of oxygen while others do not. pH (acidity) acid rain changes the pH of the water some fish will adapt others will not. Those that don’t adapt will die.

Oxygen Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Water Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Food Chain

Food Web

Predator: An organism that catches and kills its food Prey: The organism that is caught or killed Consumer: Any organism that obtains materials from the environment. Heterotroph Producer: Autotrophs, organisms that make their own food. Primary Consumer: eats only plants Secondary Consumer: eats both meat and plants

Carnivore: meat eating organisms: sharp teeth. Omnivore: eats both plants and animals. Sharp and flat teeth. Herbivore: plant eaters. Flat teeth for grinding food Scavenger: an organism that feeds on dead material. (vulture, ) Saprophyte: plants,fungi, bacteria that feed on dead material. (mushroom) Decomposer: bacteria of decay.

Biomes

There are six Biomes in the world. There are two Aquatic Biomes.

Flora: the plant life seen in a biome. Due to the conditions only adapted plants will grow under the available conditions. Fauna: The animal life that is indigenous to a biome. Again adaptations for the environment make life possible. Camouflage: The ability of an organism to blend in with its environment.

Arctic Tundra Biome #1

Arctic biome

Conditions in the Arctic Tundra FLORA: Lichens, mosses and grasses. FAUNA: Caribou, snowy owl CLIMATE: Permanently frozen subsoil

Tiaga Forest Biome #2

Conditions of the Tiaga Forest FLORA: Conifers (cone producing plants) FAUNA: moose, black bear CLIMATE: long severe winters, summers with thawing subsoil.

Temperate-Deciduous Forest Biome #3

Conditions of the Temperate Forest FLORA: trees that shed their leaves (deciduous trees) FAUNA: gray squirrel, fox, deer CLIMATE: moderate precipitation, cold winters, warm summers.

Tropical Rain Forest Biome #4

Conditions of the Tropical Rain Forest FLORA: Many species of broad leaved plants. FAUNA: snake, monkey, leopard CLIMATE: heavy rainfall with constant warmth.

Desert Biome #5

Characteristics of desert FLORA: drought resistant shrubs and succulent plants. FAUNA: Kangaroo rat, lizard. CLIMATE: sparse rainfall, extreme daily temperature changes.

Grasslands Biome #6

Characteristics of Grasslands Flora: grasses Fauna: pronghorn antelope, prairie dog and bison Climate: rainfall and daily temperature fluctuations( changes) strong prevailing winds.

Aquatic Biome

Aquatic Biomes Radiant energy decreases with the depth of water. The biomass or amount of life also decreases with the depth of water. Zone of photosynthesis: solar light penetrates the water up to a certain depth. Plant growth seen and colorful fish. Approximately 100 ft in depth

Zone of Darkness: no solar light, fish have adaptations for a life lived without life. No plant growth so they are carnivores.

Marine Biomes

Fresh Water Biome