SUCCESSION Natural, orderly process of change in the community of an ecosystem. Characterized by a change in the types of species populating the ecosystem.

Primary Succession The first organisms to inhabit an area, primary or secondary succession, are called pioneer species.

#1. Primary Succession 2 TYPES OF SUCCESSION Succession that occurs where the soil has been removed and only rock remains. Also where volcanic activity creates new rock.

Ex: Receding glaciers

Primary Succession The first species (called pioneer species) inhabit the area are lichen & moss. They begin to grow on the rock and start the process of soil production.

Primary Succession The second organisms to inhabit the area will be grasses and small shrubs.

Primary Succession The third group of populations to inhabit the area will be the fast growing soft wood trees.

Primary Succession Last, slow growing hard wood trees establish themselves.

#2. Secondary Succession Since secondary Succession starts with soil already available, the pioneer species will be the grasses and small shrubs.

Climax Community Eventually the ecosystem will stabilize and undergo little or no more change. This is referred to as a climax community. The climax community is determined by the abiotic factors.

Habitat vs. Niche Habitat is the ecosystem/community it lives in (it’s address!) ex. Deer in woods Niche is the relationship it has to the ecosystem and the community it lives in. Ex. Deer is a heterotroph that eats autotrophs (herbivore) and is prey for wolves. It competes with other organisms for food, water and shelter.

How is it all connected? Yellowstone

What happens when we add a species? Invasive Species

Water Cycle Water in our Ecosystems

Water Cycle Water is found on the Earth as a solid (ice), or a liquid and in the atmosphere as a gas. 1. The Water cycle starts when plants absorb water through their roots. Animals can get water by drinking it or get from their food.  2. Plants and animals lose water by: Respiration –lost during the breakdown of sugars (breathing) Transpiration – lost from plants leaves Excretion – lost from animals by sweating, panting, urinating, etc.

Water Cycle 3. After an animal or plant dies decomposition releases water from the organism. 4. Water on the earth’s surface (lakes, oceans, streams, etc) is returned to the atmosphere by evaporation (liquid to gas). 5. Water in the atmosphere returns to the earth when condensation causes precipitation such as rain, sleet, or snow.

Water Cycle 6. Water landing on the earth will either be absorbed by the earth to become ground water, or it will run off across the earth’s surface and enter streams, rivers, lakes or oceans.

Nitrogen Cycle You are what you eat!

Nitrogen Cycle B. Nitrogen is found primarily in the atmosphere as N2, actually makes up about 78% of the air. Plants and animals cannot utilize nitrogen directly from the air. 1. Some bacteria have the ability to break the nitrogen bond and combine it with Hydrogen to form NH3 or Nitrates. This is called nitrogen fixation. This bacteria is found living in the soil or in the nodules of the roots of bean plants, alder trees and other plants.

Nitrogen Cycle 2. Nitrates are easily absorbed by plants and are used to build proteins and nucleic acids. 3. Animals obtain the nitrogen required to survive by consumption. 4. Nitrogen is returned to the cycle via excretion and decomposition when an organism dies.

Carbon Cycle Carbon and the Earth

Carbon Cycle C. Carbon Cycle also occurs between the biotic and abiotic factors of the biosphere. 1. Most Carbon is found in the environment in either the atmosphere as CO2 or in the oceans as carbon sink. 2. Carbon in oceans is constantly cycled in and out by wave action. 3. The CO2 in the atmosphere is absorbed by the plants in the terrestrial biomes and by algae in the aquatic. Through photosynthesis it is converted to sugars, which are used by the plant to build leaves, stems and other plant parts.   4. The plants and algae are then eaten by primary consumers who then may be consumed by other heterotrophs. 5. Carbon is released from animals during cellular respiration as CO2. 6. If the plant is burned CO2 is released into the atmosphere. 7. Carbon that is retained in an organism after death is either released by decomposition, or can be buried and after millions of years forms fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. When these fuels are burned CO2 is released into the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle 4. The plants and algae are then eaten by primary consumers who then may be consumed by other heterotrophs.  5. Carbon is released from animals during cellular respiration as CO2. 6. If the plant is burned CO2 is released into the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle 7. Carbon that is retained in an organism after death is either released by decomposition, or can be buried and after millions of years forms fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. When these fuels are burned CO2 is released into the atmosphere.