Warm-up 1. What is the INDEPENDENT variable in the radish lab? Why? 2. What is the DEPENDENT variable in the radish lab? Why? Send ONE person from your group to water your radishes. How much water will you give each cup? 20 15 Remember to read from the bottom of the meniscus!!!

The study of organisms and their interaction with the environment Ecology! What is Ecology? The study of organisms and their interaction with the environment

Name as many outdoor areas as possible Then, think of a question about ecology!

Biotic vs. Abiotic Both: an ecosystem Abiotic Factors Biotic Factors List examples of each!!!

Vocabulary! (on other sheet!) Species- Population- Community- Ecosystem- Biome- (not on sheet) Biosphere- Vocabulary! (on other sheet!) a distinct life form, capable of reproducing a group of the same species in the same area All the populations in an area All the abiotic and biotic factors in an area Large areas of similar ecosystems Habitat – Niche- Where an organism lives An organisms role or job in the environment Everywhere on earth where living things exist

Analogy Time! Ecosystem Individual Organism Niche Population Community Abiotic factors Biotic factors Football field Quarterback Throw, handoffs, run the ball, call plays Whole football team Team, coaches, fans, band, cheerleaders, parents, other teams that use the field Helmet, ball, playbook, stands, scoreboard People in the ‘community’

Weather / Climate Short term? Long term? What’s the difference?

Label the climate zones on your map!

Why are there climate zones? Radiation from the sun! Earth is a sphere, different levels of solar radiation reach different parts of the curved surface All areas near the equator receive more solar radiation & heat. This leads to variation in weather and climate.

Other Factors that influence climates Altitude: Height above sea level. As altitude increases temperature tends to decrease. Ocean Currents Mountains: Rain shadow effect Lack of rain on one side of the mountain. Rain shadows can lead to almost desert like conditions.

In The Zone!!! Write down descriptions about the climate zone. Think about location, temperatures, seasons… TROPICAL ZONE – (Hint- Florida, Mexico, most of Africa, Indonesia) TEMPERATE ZONE – (Hint- Most of US, Europe, Mongolia, Argentina) ARTIC/POLAR ZONE – (Hint – Antartica, Northern Canada, Greenland)

BRAIN POP! (if time)

Climatograms Precipitation scale on the left Always BARS Temperature scale on the right Always LINE PLOTS Months on the bottom

Climatogram Practice Questions: What is average precipitation for January? (BARS) What is the average temperature for May? (LINE PLOT) In which months is the average temperature above15oC? What is the lowest average temperature in Chicago, IL? In which month does the lowest temperature occur? Which month has the least precipitation? Which month has the highest temperatures? What is the range of average precipitations in Chicago?

Warm-up Match the example with the vocab words! (like our analogies!) ***One example has two vocab words that go with it!*** Habitat Individual Niche Population Community Abiotic factors Biotic factors Hunter/Predator, mother Soil, water (in rivers/lakes and precipitation) All the jaguars in the area Rainforest Single, female jaguar Jaguars, parrots, lemurs, tree frogs, spider monkeys, trees and flowers.