Ecology The study of interactions between organisms and the environment (biotic and abiotic factors)

Ecology What is the link between evolution and ecology?

Ecology Evolution ??

Ecology Interaction between organisms and environment Evolution ??

Ecology Interaction between organisms and environment Environment selects for fittest traits Evolution ??

Ecology Interaction between organisms and environment Environment selects for fittest traits Evolution Traits are passed on ??

Ecology Interaction between organisms and environment Environment selects for fittest traits Lots of little adaptations over time Evolution Traits are passed on

Areas of Ecology Organismal Ecology: studies impact of environment on organisms’ structure, physiology and behavior Organismal Ecology: studies impact of environment on organisms’ structure, physiology and behavior – How does a hammerhead select a mate?

Areas of Ecology Population Ecology: studies how environment affects population size and why it changes over time Population Ecology: studies how environment affects population size and why it changes over time – What factors affect the reproductive rates of giant pandas?

Areas of Ecology Community Ecology: studies interactions between different species in area Community Ecology: studies interactions between different species in area – What factors influence the diversity of the rainforest?

Areas of Ecology Ecosystem Ecology: studies energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and environment Ecosystem Ecology: studies energy flow and chemical cycling between organisms and environment – What factors affect photosynthesis in a grassland?

Areas of Ecology Landscape Ecology: studies exchange of energy, materials and organisms between ecosystems Landscape Ecology: studies exchange of energy, materials and organisms between ecosystems – How to the trees lining a riverbank contribute to animal dispersal?

Areas of Ecology Global Ecology: studies how regional exchange of material influences distribution of organisms globally Global Ecology: studies how regional exchange of material influences distribution of organisms globally – How does ocean circulation affect the global distribution of crustaceans?

Biomes Life on Earth is distributed into Biomes Life on Earth is distributed into Biomes Biomes are determined by particular combinations of biotic and abiotic factors Biomes are determined by particular combinations of biotic and abiotic factors Broken into two categories Broken into two categories Terrestrial vs Aquatic Terrestrial vs Aquatic

Terrestrial Biomes Largely influenced by climate patterns Largely influenced by climate patterns Climate: long-term, prevailing weather conditions Climate: long-term, prevailing weather conditions Temperature Temperature Precipitation Precipitation Sunlight Sunlight Wind Wind

How Region Affects Climate Seasonality: does a region have strong seasons? Seasonality: does a region have strong seasons? Bodies of water can influence precipitation Bodies of water can influence precipitation Mountains can influence air flow over land Mountains can influence air flow over land In turn influences precipitation In turn influences precipitation Mountains influence amount of sunlight reaching an area Mountains influence amount of sunlight reaching an area In turn influences temperature In turn influences temperature

Aquatic Biomes Very diverse and cover most of the planet Very diverse and cover most of the planet Less variation due to climate Less variation due to climate Variation is due to depth and amount to sun available Variation is due to depth and amount to sun available Temperature Temperature Variation due to horizontal zones Variation due to horizontal zones Soil components from terrestrial biomes Soil components from terrestrial biomes

How Species are Distributed in Biomes Interactions between organisms and the environment limit species distribution Interactions between organisms and the environment limit species distribution Biotic – biotic interactions Biotic – biotic interactions Biotic – abiotic interactions Biotic – abiotic interactions Temp Temp Water and O 2 Water and O 2 Salinity Salinity Sunlight Sunlight Composition of Rock and Soil (pH, mineral comp, physical structure of rock) Composition of Rock and Soil (pH, mineral comp, physical structure of rock)