Unit 2: Ecology and Population Biology

Ecology: The Study of Living Organisms and their Environments

Biotic and Abiotic Factors Biosphere: The areas of the Earth which support life. Contains all the life on Earth. Ecosystem: The organisms living in an area, as well as their environment Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem: Bacteria, Plants, Animals, Decaying matter Abiotic Factors: Non-Living components of an ecosystem: Water, minerals, weather, light, toxins Which set of factors will define the type of ecosystem?

Levels of Organization: Population: The number of a single species living in an area. Community: All the populations of all species living in an ecosystem

What is the Primary Energy Source of all life? L.8.C.1 Students know how matter and energy are transferred through food webs in an ecosystem. The Sun!!! All green plants use sunlight to create food. This is the first trophic level. Plants are PRODUCERS

Photosynthesis H20 + CO2 = C6H12O6 + O2 Water + Carbon Dioxide = Glucose + Oxygen Why are most leaves broad, flat, and thin?

Photosynthesis is the Basis of the……. L.8.C.2 Students know how to characterize organisms in any ecosystem by their functions

Trophic Levels Producer : Creates its own food L.8.C.2 Students know how to characterize organisms in any ecosystem by their functions Producer : Creates its own food Primary Consumer: Eats Producers Only Secondary Consumer: Eats Primary Consumers and/or Producers Tertiary Consumers: Eats Secondary Consumers, Primary Consumers, and Producers. Decomposers: Eats dead organic materials, providing nutrients for the producers.

The Food Web The Complex relationship between all producers and consumers in called “The Food Web” L.8.C.1 Students know how matter and energy are transferred through food webs in an ecosystem.

Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together Mutualism- Both animals benefit from the relationship. Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together Commensalism – One organism benefits, and the other is unaffected Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together Parasitism- One organism benefits while the other is harmed Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

Earth’s Energy Source Only 0.000000724654% of the Light from the Sun reaches the Earth. 30% is reflected back into space 51% absorbed by land and water 18% absorbed by atmosphere and clouds So how much does that leave for life???? Only .027% of the sunlight that reaches Earth enters the food chain!!!!!

Most of the Sunlight that reaches Earth is absorbed by the…….. This is the first step in the Water Cycle

The Water Cycle Watch this epic animation........

Other Cycles in Nature…… The Nitrogen Cycle Interaction between decomposers, plants, and the atmosphere The Carbon Cycle Dead plants and animals become raw carbon for other organisms to use Food Fossil Fuels Atmospheric CO2 Component of Climate Change Earth goes through climatic cycles as well

Energy Flow Transfer of energy is usually very inefficient 2nd Law of Thermodynamics…..Energy Seeks its Lowest State! Lost to heat (useless unless re-harnessed) Lost to friction (which becomes heat) As energy is transferred from system to system, more and more of it is lost

The same LAW holds true in the food chain Sunlight strikes a blade of grass…… Most of it is reflected back Absorbed and becomes heat Small portion of it used for photosynthesis How much grass does a cow have to each every day to survive?? Only a tiny amount of the plant contains useful energy Cows have to eat most of the day to take in enough energy to survive If a cow eats and grows for 5 years, how much sunlight energy has gone into producing a T-Bone steak? How long would a single cow keep a person alive? Maybe 6 months? Huge amounts of solar energy are required to sustain life on Earth due to this incredible energy loss!

Biomes of the World

Tundra

Temperate Forest

Desert

Rain Forest

Aquatic Ecosystems: Saltwater

Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater

Activity – A Drop of Sunshine Each group will be assigned a BIOME You will trace the path of a photon from a beam of sunlight up through the food chain The path of the photon will be dependent upon the nature of your Biome! Make it a fun story!