Slide 1 What is Ecology? The Scientific study of interactions among & between organisms and their environment. Chapter 3, 4 and 5 in the Prentice Hall Biology Book

Slide 2 The Biosphere Extends to 8 km above the earth’s surface The part of the environment that hosts existance. (includes land,water, air.) Extends to 11 km below the surface of the oceans.

Levels of Organization in Ecology Slide 3 Levels of Organization in Ecology Species: Group of organisms so similar they breed and produce offspring. ex. A bear A horse Populations: Groups of individuals that belong to the same species in the same area . (Ex: den of bears)

Slide 4 Levels, cont. Community: Groups of different populations living together in a defined area. Ex: bears and elk in Yellowstone Natl. Park Ecosystem: Collection of all organisms that live in a particular place together with nonliving organisms. Ex: animals, plants, rivers, rocks

Slide 5 It takes Energy! All organisms need energy to survive. The flow of energy through an ecosystem is one of the MOST IMPORTANT facts that determine if the system can sustain life.

And Energy Starts with… Slide 6 And Energy Starts with… Sunlight is the main energy source for life on earth! Chloroplasts! Sun’s energy Carbon Dioxide + water + energy  glucose + oxygen 6 CO2 + 6 H2O  C6H12O6 +6 O2

We classify based on energy… Slide 7 We classify based on energy… Heterotroph Can’t make their own food. (animals) Autotrophs Can make their own food! (plants) Also called PRODUCERS Also called CONSUMERS!

Autotrophs/Producers Slide 8 Autotrophs/Producers plants, some algae, some bacteria. These organisms can capture energy directly from the sun or chemicals and use this energy to produce their own food. Also called Producers. Photosynthesis- An autrophoph that uses light energy to power chemical reactions which converts CO2 and water into O2 and sugars and starches. Ex plants Chemosynthesis- An autotroph that produces food in the absence of light. Relies on energy within chemical bonds of inorganic molecules. ex: some bacteria

Heterotophs/Consumers Slide 9 Heterotophs/Consumers Consumers- cannot harness energy directly from the physical environment. a. Heteretrophs- Can’t make their own food. (animals) 1. Herbivores- Animals that eat plants. (cows, deer) 2. Carnivores- Animals that eat other animals (Snakes, owls) 3. Omnivores- Eat both plants and animals. (humans, bears) 4. Decomposers- Group of heterotrophs that break down organic matter. (bacteria/ fungi)

Name all these herbivores! Slide 10 Herbivores Name all these herbivores!

Name these common omnivores. Add two of your own examples. Slide 11 Omnivores Name these common omnivores. Add two of your own examples.

Name all these Carnivores! What’s your favorite carnivore? Slide 12 Carnivores Name all these Carnivores! What’s your favorite carnivore?

Decomposers and Scavengers Slide 13 Decomposers and Scavengers Decomposers and scavengers break down dead plants and animals. They also break down the waste (poop) of other organisms. Decomposers are very important for any ecosystem. If they weren't in the ecosystem, the plants would not get essential nutrients, and dead matter and waste would pile up. There are two kinds of decomposers, scavengers and decomposers.

Slide 14 Decomposers

Slide 15 Food Chains Food Chain- Series of steps in the ecosystem in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten.

Slide 17 Food Webs Food Web- Network of interactions that link all the food chain in an ecosystem. Tropic Level- Each step in a food chain. Producers make up the first level, consumers make up the higher levels. Each level depends on the lower level for energy.

Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems. Slide 18 Cycles of Matter Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

Slide 19 1. The Water Cycle- All living things require water for survival! Water changes from liquid to gas in two ways: a. evaporation- liquid to a gas b. transpiration- evaporation from leaves. Where does the water go after it forms puddles on the pavement? Evaporation or condensation? Wet clothes are put into a dryer and come out dry. Where does the water go?

The Water Cycle Diagram Slide 20 The Water Cycle Diagram

Slide 21 Three Nutrient Cycles every living organism must have nutrients to survive Carbon Cycle- Carbon is the key ingredient in living tissues. CO2 in the air, calcium carbonate in the soil and animal bones. Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen builds amino acids to make proteins. Atmosphere and soil contain Nitrogen. 3. Phosphorus Cycle- Phosphorus is essential to living organisms because it forms part of the DNA and RNA.

The Carbon Cycle Watch the Carbon Cycle Animation! Slide 22 The Carbon Cycle Watch the Carbon Cycle Animation! Answer the questions on your notes Take the Quiz! - Carbon is the key ingredient in living tissues. CO2 in the air, calcium carbonate in the soil and animal bones.

Slide 23 Global Nitrogen Nitrogen Fixation- Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia. Plants can convert this into proteins. Denitrification- Process that releases the nitrogen back into the atmosphere. Result of decomposition

Nitrogen Cycle

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Slide 25 Phosphorus Cycle- Phosphorus is essential to living organisms because it forms part of the DNA and RNA. See Diagram on the next slides

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