Classification and Ecology

What is a Species? Species – Distinct form of life Creates much diversity or variety within life Biological Species concept – defines species as a population or group of populations whose members have the ability to reproduce

Micro and Macro Evolution Microevolution – changes or mutations within the genes of a population Macroevolution – major biological changes evident in the fossil record Ex. Extinction of a species, new features like wings

Reproductive Barriers Between Species Reproductive Isolation – condition in which a reproductive barrier keeps two species from interbreeding Timing – Different breeding seasons Behavior – Different courtship or mating behaviors Habitat – Adapted to different habitats in the same general location Physical differences – reproductive structures are physically incompatible Fertility – unable to reproduce

Geographic Isolation and Speciation Geographic Isolation – separation of populations as a result of geographic change or migration to geographically isolated places Ex. Mountain forms, glacier movement This can lead to new evolutionary developments and then new species Speciation – formation of a new species

Geographic Isolation and Speciation

Modern Taxonomy Taxonomy – branch of biology that deals with identifying, classifying, and naming species Classification – organizing species into larger groups of related species

Modern Taxonomy Carolus Linnaeus Binomial Nomenclature – two part naming system Genus and species name Ex: Domesticated dogs Genus: Canis Species: familiaris Wolves Genus: Canis Species: lupus

7 Levels of Classification 1. kingdom 2. phylum 3. class 4. order 5. family 6. genus 7. species When moving down this list, organisms in each classification level are more closely related

The Three Domains of Life Domain – Broadest category of classification Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya Kingdoms – category of classification after domains 4 kingdoms within Eukarya domain Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists 1 kingdom within Archaea domain Archaebacteria 1 kingdom within the Bacteria domain Eubacteria

Ecology Ecology – the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and environment (Haeckel, 1866) Interdependence – dependence between or among individuals or things

Levels of Organization Biosphere – largest level, our entire planet - portions of planet where life exists (land, H2O, air) 8 km above to 11 km below

Levels of Organization Biome – group of ecosystems that share similar climates (temp. and rainfall)

Levels of Organization Ecosystem – collection of all organisms in a particular place together with the abiotic (physical) environment.

Levels of Organization Community – groups of different populations that live together in a defined area. Population – groups of individuals of same species that live in same area. Species – group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Levels of Organization

Biotic and Abiotic Factors Biotic – living part of the environment Plants, Animals ,Mold, Fungi, Bacteria, Protist Abiotic – Nonliving part of the environment Sunlight, heat, soil, wind, water, temperature Environment – all conditions or factors surrounding an organism; includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

3.2 Energy, Producers, and Consumers At the core of every organism’s interaction with the environment is its need for ENERGY to power life’s processes

Producers (Autotrophs) Can trap energy to produce food Use solar or chemical energy to produce food by assembling inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules Plants Some protist Some bacteria

Primary Producers Photosynthesis – captures solar energy and converts it to chemical energy sunlight 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 Chemosynthesis – Chemical energy used to produce carbohydrates bacteria in harsh environments deep sea volcanic vents or hot springs

Consumers (Heterotrophs) Can’t trap energy directly; must acquire it from other organisms Herbivores – eat plant leaves, roots, seed or fruits (cow, catepillar, deer) Carnivores – eat other animals (snakes, dogs cats) Omnivores – eat both plant and animal (human, bear, pigs)

Consumers (Heterotrophs) Scavengers – consume carcasses of other animals (vultures and hyenas) Decomposers – break down organic matter (bacteria and fungi) – produces detritus (small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains) Detritivores – feed on detritus (earthworms and many types of snails, mites, shrimp, crabs)

3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems Food Chains Food Webs How Ecosystems Work (3:23)

Food Chains and Food Webs SUN Autotrophs Heterotroph Food Chain – energy trapped by producers passed on when organisms eat and are eaten Food Web – relationship more complex than a chain

Food Web Activity

Trophic Levels and Ecological Pyramids Trophic Levels – each step in a food chain/web Ex: producers, then consumers Ecological Pyramids – shows relative amount of energy at each trophic level of a food chain or web. Biomass – total amount of living tissue within a trophic level

3.4 Cycles of Matter *Recycle Matter*

Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis – uses CO2 from atmosphere Happens in the CHLOROPLAST 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 Respiration – returns CO2 to atmosphere Happens in the MITOCHONDRIA C6H12O6 + O2 H2O + CO2

Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle Volcanoes, respiration, fossil fuels, and decomposition add CO2 to atmosphere. Organic carbon is locked deep beneath the Earth’s surface – high pressure converts layers of sediment (dead organisms and waste) to carbon-rich fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are extracted and processed to make gasoline and oil –burning fossil fuels release CO2 Plants take CO2 and make carbohydrates - glucose (C6H12O6). Plants are eaten by animals and carbohydrates are passed through the food chain. As the animal breathes and eventually dies and decomposes, CO2 is returned to the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycling

Water Cycle

Water Cycle Water enters the atmosphere by: Evaporation – water changes from a liquid to a gas Transpiration – Evaporation through leaves As water rises it cools condenses into tiny droplets that form clouds. Droplets returns to Earth as precipitation. Water enters the rivers, ground water, ocean or plant roots to restart cycle.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of atmosphere Nitrogen Fixation: bacteria take nitrogen gases and turn it into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Plants and animals use nitrate to make amino acids. Animal dies and decomposes returning nitrates to the soil. Denitrification: other bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle Phosphate – parts of DNA/RNA Found in rocks that are worn down Washes into rivers/streams/oceans for marine organisms Taken in by plants and turned into organic compounds

Nutrient Limitation Primary Productivity – the rate at which organic molecules are created by producers If nutrients are in short supply, they are called LIMITING NUTRIENTS Ex: Nitrogen is often limiting in water; if there is suddenly as input of N (fertilizer runoff), organisms can grow rapidly (Algal Bloom)

Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities 4-1 The Role of Climate

Climate Climate: long-term, over entire biome area Greenhouse Effect Weather: short-term, local Greenhouse Effect It’s a good thing! CO2, H2O, CH4 all trap heat and hold it next to the surface Keeps the temperature suitable for life Video Clip 1 Video Clip 2

The Effect of Latitude on Climate Earth has 3 climate zones due to unequal heating because of the angle of the sun Polar Temperate Tropical

Heat Transport Ocean and wind currents help produce Earth’s climates They are affected by land masses and Earth’s rotation

4-2 Niches and Community Interactions

The Niche Niche – where and how something lives; the way the species obtains what it needs to survive and reproduce Habitat is the general place where an organism live (address) Niche is the organism’s how it interacts with biotic and abiotic factors (occupation)

Community Interactions Competition Organisms compete for resources Ex: Food, Mates, Shelter Competitive Exclusion Principle – no 2 organisms occupy exactly the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time. winner and a loser Predation One organism (predator) captures and feeds on another (prey).

Community Interactions Symbiosis Mutualism – both species benefit Ex: Flowers & insects, Clown Fish & Sea Anemone, Egrets & Alligators Commensalism – one benefits, the other is not helped nor harmed Ex: Barnacle (gets food) & Whale Parasitism – one benefits, other is harmed Ex: tapeworms, fleas, ticks, lice

Examples of Symbiosis 5 min video Bed bugs Grey shark with pilot fish Aphid – destructive insect pests Grey shark with pilot fish

4.3 Ecological Succession Ecological Succession - change in an ecosystem Primary Succession – no remnants of an older community (volcanic eruption, glacier erosion = reveals bare rock) 1st species to colonize barren areas are called “pioneer species” Ex: algae, fungi, lichens - composite, symbiotic organisms Secondary Succession – disturbance affects the community - soil exists (flood, hurricane, wild fires, clear cutting, plowed for farming) Climax Community – fairly stable, dominant community established after succession.

Intro to Biomes 4-4 Land Biomes

Biomes based on Precipitation and Temperature

Videos on Biomes Terrestrial Biomes: Deserts, Grasslands, and Forests (3:39) Savanahs (2:36)