The study of ecosystems Ecology The study of ecosystems
Levels of organization Small to big
Atoms
Molecules
Macromolecules
Organelles
Cell
Tissue
Organ
System
Organism
Organization in ecosystem Organism – one individual Population – same species in one area
Levels of organization Population – same species in one area Community – All the populations in an area
Levels of organization Community – All the species in an area Ecosystem – All the communities and abiotic factors in an area
Levels of organization Ecosystem – All the communities and abiotic factors in an area Biosphere – Global ecosystem. Thin layer surrounding earth that supports life
Biotic factors ALL plants animals and other life (bacteria etc.) in an area
Abiotic factors Non-living environmental factors Temperature Wind Water Sunlight Rocks Soil
Flow of energy in ecosystem
Autotrophs – producers Transform inorganic energy (light) into chemical energy
Primary productivity The net production of stored energy produced by the producers in an ecosystem
Heterotrophs - consumers Organisms that must obtain their energy by eating other organisms
Food chain Shows one energy path in ecosystem
Food web Shows all the trophic (eating) relationships in ecosystem Change in one species can effect entire ecosystem
Trophic levels and energy 90% energy lost at each trophic level
Biomass Total quantity of living matter Only 10% transfers from one trophic level to another
Relationships in an ecosystem Predators, prey and symbiosis
Niche The role an organism fills in its community Its “job”
Niche determined by Habitat Place in food chain Specific food types When they eat or hunt
Great horned owl and red tailed hawk have different niches Both eat small rodents Both live in same area BUT owls hunt at night, hawks hunt during day
Competition exclusion Only one specie can occupy can occupy each niche Ex. Barnacles - different species at different tide levels
Prey = Herbivore (or lower carnivore)
Predator = Carnivore
Scavenger carnivore that does not hunt
Predator/prey Adaptations
Predator adaptations Adapted to catch, lure or conceal
Trap door spider
Angler fish
Spider web
Green pit viper infra red heat sensors
Prey - Adaptations Hide – camouflage OR Advertize – colorful (poisonous) Escape – run/fly/climb/jump
Monarch butterfly Larva eats poison milk weed Monarch advertize poison
Some predators adapt to monarch poison Black backed oriole Black headed oriole Black-eared mouse
Poison dart frogs Advertize poison
Stick insect Camouflage
flounder
Leaf Frog
MIMICRY One species mimics another to aid survival
Monarch mimic
Coral snake mimic
Caterpillar mimics coral snake
Plant / herbivore interactions
Plants may use physical defenses Thorns
Sticky Hairs
Tough leaves
Plant chemical defenses Poisonous Irritating Bad-tasting
Poisonous Mild poison Daffodils - nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea
Poison hemlock Deadly poison
Irritating chemicals Hot peppers have capsaicin
Bad-tasting Bitter melon mushrooms
organisms living together in an ecosystem symbiosis organisms living together in an ecosystem
Symbiosis?
Parasitism - Pos/Neg One benefits, one harmed A parasite will feed on a host but does not result in immediate death
Endoparasites – Live in host Tape worm Bacteria Liver fluke
Exoparasites - External Ticks Leeches Lampreys mosquitoes
Mutualism - Pos/Pos Cooperative relationship where both species benefit Ex. Acacia trees and fire ants -Acacia trees have thorns that secrete nectar Ants protect plant from animals that would eat plant , but they eat some nectar
Mutualism – ex. pollinators Both flower and animal benefit . Insects Birds and others
Commensalism Pos/Neutral One species benefits with little or no effect on the other Ex. Birds follow army ants to find food
Cape buffalo The buffalo stirs up the insects and the egrets can then feed on them
parasitism and mutualism. Aphids/plant – aphids parasites Aphids/ants - mutualism. Ants protect aphids and eat their sugar secretions
Competition Neg/Neg? Only one organism will win. Winner gets resources, food or mate