ES101 9/14/10 Ecology I If you’re using a laptop, please sit in one of the first three rows.

ES101 9/14/10 Ecology I If you need to setup your clicker, press “GO” (or “Ch”), then “4,” then “1,” then “GO.” You should see a green light. See me after class if you have questions.

ES101 9/14/10 To be sure your clicker is communicating with the computer: when you answer a question, hold down the button until you see the green light. if you see a green light, you are all set. see me at the end of class if you have questions.

ES101 9/14/10 Ecology I Bring your field guide to lab this week Dress for weather Long pants recommended No sandals or open-toed shoes 1st lab report due this week Tutor – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Frangelica Odell M&W, 6-8pm MH201

4. Global Environmental Citizenship Global environmentalism is the recognition that we share one environment Social justice issues included – sharing of resources is critical for sustainable future http://www.nirs.org/images/scvalley.jpg http://www.ifad.org/photo/images/10190_d3s.jpg

In your opinion, the greatest global environmental problem that humans face is species extinctions ozone depletion global climate change pollution in the oceans

ES Goal: Sustainability = Ecological “balance” and human progress that last over the long term = meeting the needs of the present generation (of all species) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

How to achieve Sustainability? Study the problem – scientific method, critical thinking Understand the natural world Understand human impacts Learn how to change human behavior! Via laws, persuasion, communication, business, arts, etc.!

Ecological Principles and Sustainability Ecology=Study of the interactions between organisms and the non-living environment These interactions create Ecosystems which have: Energy flows Nutrient cycles Evolutionary pathways Sustainability depends on understanding these systems http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/tfx/hydro/FAW/ManyGlacierSmall.png

Ecological Principles and Sustainability Ecology=Study of the interactions between organisms and the non-living environment Sustainability depends on understanding these systems Let’s start with organisms Levels of Biological Organization

Levels of Biological Organization 1. individual organisms – single life form 2. populations of many indivs. of the same species living in the same area 3. species includes all organisms genetically similar enough to reproduce and produce fertile offspring

An ecological community includes all individuals of a single species living in one place all interacting species living in one place all plants living in one place the biological community and its physical environment

An ecosystem includes all individuals of a single species living in one place all interacting species living in one place all plants living in one place the biological community and its physical environment

Levels of Biological Organization 3. species includes all organisms genetically similar enough to reproduce and produce fertile offspring 4. communities all interacting species in one place 5. ecosystems the biological community and its physical envt. (all interacting living and non-living parts in one area)

(all interacting living and non-living parts in one area) Biotic Factors living organisms and interactions btwn. organisms that can affect species in the community exs: predators, parasites, competition, etc. Abiotic Factors non-living features of the environment exs: water, nutrients, sunlight

Abiotic Factors non-living features of the environment exs: water, nutrients, sunlight A key feature of any ecosystem is species diversity – the number of different kinds of species present

Why should we care about the number of species in an ecosystem? it’s important to know if an ecosystem is losing species (intelligent tinkering) some species are useful to humans all species have the right to exist all of the above 1. and 2. only

Why should we care about the number of species in an ecosystem? will help us determine whether the ecosystem is losing species in the future (intelligent tinkering) species may be of use to humans some believe all species have the right to exist Terrestrial Biomes of the World

  Terrestrial Biomes of the World Biome = Dominant ecosystem in a region    

Type of biome depends on temperature & precipitation

Tropical Rain Forest Highest Precipitation Greatest Species Diversity

Temperate Deciduous Forest Major biome in eastern US Med. precipitation Very good soil Forest re-grows easily In general, greater diversity than forests further north

Temperate Deciduous Forest Major biome in eastern US Med. precipitation Very good soil Forest re-grows easily In general, greater diversity than forests further north

Boreal Forest also called northern coniferous forest Evergreen, conifer trees

also called northern coniferous forest Evergreen, conifer trees most common biome in much of Canada in general, diversity is lower than forests further south

most common biome in most of Canada in general, diversity is lower than forests further south Franklin Pierce is located near the boundary btwn temperate deciduous forest and northern coniferous forest.