Section 1.1 Pgs. 8-13 Intro to Ecology

What is Ecology? Ecology – the study of how organisms interact with each other as well as their environment Ecosystem – a complex, self-regulating system in which living things (biotic factors) interact with each other as well as non-living things (abiotic factors). These interactions help to keep the ecosystem healthy and sustainable.

Key Definitions Biotic factors – organisms such as animals, plants, fungi, bacteria and algae Abiotic factors – anything that is not a biotic factor (ie. rocks, air, water, temperature, hours of daylight) Video on Biotic and Abiotic factors

What does sustainable mean? Sustainable refers to the ability of the elements of an ecosystem (both biotic and abiotic) to continue to interact and reproduce indefinitely. What is an example of a sustainable and an unsustainable ecosystem? SUSTAINABLE UNSUSTAINABLE

Biodiversity Another aspect of sustainability would be to say that biodiversity has been preserved. Biodiversity is the number of different types of organisms that are present in an ecosystem. More organisms- Higher biodiversity. Higher biodiversity generally means a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem.

How to stay sustainable To maintain sustainability, we need to look at the entire system as a whole. Each part of an ecosystem interacts with another part; one change can have a ripple effect across the system. Looking at the system as a whole is called a holistic approach

The Spheres of Earth Earth’s ATMOSPHERE is a layer of gases extending upward for hundreds of kilometers 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, <1% argon, water vapour, carbon dioxide, and other gasses acts like a blanket to moderate surface temperature Blocks solar radiation (ie. UV rays) The atmosphere is critical to life on Earth

The Spheres of Earth The LITHOSPHERE is the rocky outer shell of Earth Consists of rocks and minerals that make up the mountains, ocean floors, and the rest of the Earth’s solid landscape 50-150 km thick

The Spheres of Earth The HYDROSPHERE consists of all water on, above, and below Earth’s surface. Oceans (97%), lakes, ice, groundwater, and clouds

The Spheres of Earth BIOSPHERE – describes the locations in which life can exist within the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. The biosphere is very thin compared to the Earth Living things need space, water, and nutrients to survive, but these resources are limited

What we're working on Pg. 21 #1-6,8-11,15