Introduction to Ecology

What is Ecology? Ecology is the scientific study of: interactions between organisms and the environment. What is Ecology? It is the study of the interactions between: different groups of organisms. It is the study of the interactions between: organisms and the environment. It is the study of the interactions that exists between: the living and nonliving components of the environment.

These interactions occur on many levels, ranging from the __________ level to a _______ level. organismal global The field of ecology was begun in 1866 by Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist.

What is the difference between weather and climate? The Role of Climate What is the difference between weather and climate? 1. Weather is the day-to-day condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. 2. Climate refers to the average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Climate is the result of many different factors: The trapping of heat by the atmosphere The latitude The transport of heat by winds and ocean currents The amount of precipitation that occurs 5. The shape and elevation of the landmass

Problems we face: The State of Today’s Environment Exploding Human Population The Sixth Mass Extinction Damage to the Ozone Layer Climate Changes Problems we face:

The Exploding Human Population Between 1930 and 1999, the human population on earth tripled from: 2 billion to 6 billion. By 2050, it is projected that the world’s population will be between: 7.8 billion and 12.5 billion. An increasing population places great demands on the environment. A greater population requires more _______, more _________, and more ________ for the disposal of wastes. The Exploding Human Population One of the most significant environmental changes to occur on Earth is: the exploding human population. food energy space

The Sixth Mass Extinction There is evidence in the fossil record of: five mass extinctions in Earth’s past history. A mass extinction is: a brief period of time in which large numbers of species die out and disappear. Many scientists are convinced that we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. Currently, species are disappearing faster than at any other time since the last mass extinction. The last mass extinction occurred ______________ ago and included the disappearance of the _________. Scientists estimate that about _____ of the species in the world may ______________________. 65 million years dinosaurs 1/5th disappear in this century

The Damage to the Ozone Layer Ozone is a molecule composed of: three atoms of oxygen. The ozone in the upper atmosphere: protects and shields the organisms on Earth from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) An abundance of ____________________________________ is causing damage to this protective layer of ozone.

The Damage to the Ozone Layer CFC’s that are produced by __________________ react with ______, causing its ____________. industrial chemicals ozone destruction Because of the protective nature of ozone, only about: 1% of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation gets through the ozone shield to reach the Earth. Even such a small amount of ultraviolet radiation is harmful in the form of ____________ and millions of cases of ______________ each year. With the further depletion of the ozone layer: more and more UV radiation will reach Earth’s surface. sunburns skin cancer

deep cold of outer space. Climate Changes Gases in our atmosphere: such as carbon dioxide and water vapor, trap a portion of the sun’s energy, preventing it from escaping. This has a ______________ on Earth. The greenhouse effect is the mechanism that __________ our planet from the: deep cold of outer space. warming effect insulates

The heat trapped by these gases has a warming effect on Earth. The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon and life on Earth: would not be possible without it. The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence in which heat is: retained in the atmosphere by this blanket of greenhouse gases. EARTH Greenhouse gases allow solar energy to: penetrate the atmosphere in the form of sunlight. However, these same greenhouse gases do not allow: the heat energy to pass out of the atmosphere. The heat trapped by these gases has a warming effect on Earth.

burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) carbon dioxide However, human activities are changing the _____________ of the atmosphere. The: _________________________________________releases large amounts of ________________ into the atmosphere. composition burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) carbon dioxide

It is estimated that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by ______ over the last ______ years. The addition of large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases has led to an increased greenhouse effect, causing greater than normal: warming of the atmosphere. 25% 100 This increase in temperature may change global weather patterns and lead to rising sea levels as polar ice melts.

The Effect of Latitude on Climate Because Earth is a sphere that is tilted on its axis, solar radiation strikes the surface of Earth at different angles. As a result of differences in latitude and the angle of heating, Earth has three main climate zones: 1. Polar zones 2. Temperate zones 3. Tropical zones

Polar zones are cold areas where the: sun’s rays strike Earth at a very low angle. These zones are located around the North and South poles.

The temperate zones are sites between the: polar zones and the tropics. This area is more affected by the _______________________ over the course of a year. Therefore, the climate ranges from ___________ depending on the season. changing angle of the sun hot to cold

The tropical zone is near the equator The tropical zone is near the equator. The tropics receive direct or nearly direct sunlight all year long. This climate is almost always warm.

Heat Transfer in the Biosphere – Winds and Currents The _______________ of Earth’s surfaces is the driving force behind: winds and currents. Winds and currents are responsible for _________________ throughout the biosphere. unequal heating transporting heat Winds occur because: warm air tends to rise and cool air tends to sink. This creates air currents, or winds, that move heat through the atmosphere, from regions of sinking air to regions of rising air. The prevailing winds bring warm or cold air to a region, affecting its climate.

Heat Transfer in the Biosphere – Winds and Currents Similar patterns of heating and cooling occur in Earth’s _______. Cold water near the poles ______ and then flows parallel to the ocean floor. oceans sinks It eventually _____ again when it reaches warmer regions in a process called __________. At the same time, winds are pushing the _____________ to new areas. The temperature of the surface currents affects the weather and climate of nearby ___________. rises upwelling surface water landmasses