Levels of Ecology: Ecosystems Ecosystems are subunits of biomes. They consist of a “system” involving non-living abiotic components which impact what living organisms (biotic) can reside there. Example: The climate (Hot/Humid, Cold) effects the types of organisms that can live here such as deciduous trees which lose their leaves in winter and animals which feed on their leaves, flowers, sap, and nuts.

Ecological Address Tells about: Where the environment in which you live. The effect of human interaction on that environment. There are Nine (9) Major Components of your Ecological Address: River Basin Topography Soil Groundwater Wetlands Biodiversity Air Climate Energy Your (mis)use of these 9 resources is called your Ecological Footprint! http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/ecoaddress.htm

Why is this not considered a population? Levels of Ecology: Communities Zebra and Wildebeests Communities are gatherings of different populations that live together in a defined area. Why is this not considered a population? Because populations consist of all the same species which can mate and produce viable offspring. Zebras and Wildebeests don’t mate and produce viable offspring.

Levels of Ecology: Populations & Species Populations are groups of individuals that belong to the same species AND also live in the same area. Horse and colt Zorse or Zebroid A species is a group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring. Geographic location of monarch butterflies

Let’s review…Mario Style! What level of Ecology? Biospheres

Temperature and Precipitation Let’s review… What 2 abiotic factors limit these areas? Temperature and Precipitation Biomes

Let’s Review… Ecosystems

Let’s Review… Community

Let’s Review… Population +

Let’s Review… Species

Review…

What kinds of things could effect an ecosystem? (Think big)

Disturbances to Ecosystems Ecological succession is a series of predictable, orderly and natural changes and species replacements that occur in a community over time until it reaches its final and stable species (climax community.) Takes a long time and not easily observable. Occurs in stages. Note: Depending on the biome, climax communities can vary from place to place.

Primary Succession A pioneer species is the first species to populate an area that has had a disturbance and is barren. Example: Lichens are often the pioneer species on volcanic rock Grasses grow and then are over taken by taller grasses and shrubs. As they die, they add more organic material to the soil. Small softwood trees replace shrubs and then get replaced by Larger Hardwood trees. Continues until it reaches the climax community.

Secondary Succession Occurs when interrupted by natural disasters or human actions. Occurs in areas that previously contained life and soil. Occurs by the same process as primary succession. Takes less time, since there is no need for pioneer species. When the interactions are over, the community interactions tend to restore the ecosystem to its original condition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeX_Jr1t3YQ Fact: Some seeds need fire in order to sprout!

The Big Idea: Effect of Latitude on Climate Earth has 3 main climate zones caused by the unequal heating of the Earth’s surface due to the Earth’s 23.5° tilt due to its revolution around the sun. The 3 main climate zones are: 1. Polar- very cold areas where the sun’s rays strike the earth at a low angle. 2. Temperate- sit between the polar and tropical zones, they are most effected by the changing angle of the sun which causes seasons. 3. Tropical- most near the equator, receive direct or nearly direct sunlight year-round making the climate almost always warm.