Introduction to Ecosystems Ecology

Ecology is the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment. –An organism is any living thing Examples: Humans, animals, plant, bacteria

Ecology The Biosphere –The biosphere is the living world –Includes any organisms that are found in the air, on land, or in the water

Ecology The Ecosystem –Is a self supporting area composed of living and nonliving things such as the Rain Forest or the Desert –It produces energy, transfers energy, decomposes, and recycles –It made up of two (2) types of factors: Biotic and Abiotic

Ecology Abiotic Factors –are non living parts of the environment such as rocks, the sun, and temperature

Ecology Biotic Factors –The living parts of the environment such as plants, bacteria, and animals

Ecology Community –Is composed of all of the populations of different organisms living together in a given area such as your lawn (contains grass, insects, and worms) A population is a group of organisms that belong to the same species & live in a given area –Ex: heard of cattle or a gaggle of geese

Ecology Biome –Is a major type of ecosystem with its own temperature ranges, rainfall amounts, and types of organisms

Biomes Aquatic Biomes & Land Biomes

Aquatic Biomes Marine (Salt Water) –Location: Oceans & Estuaries –Types of Organisms: Kelp, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Tuna, Crabs, Shrimp, Lobsters, Salmon, Eels, Plankton

Aquatic Biomes Marine

Aquatic Biomes Freshwater –Location: Wetlands, Rivers, Streams, Ponds, Lakes, & Creeks –Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfish

Land Biomes Fresh Water

Aquatic Biomes Photic Zone – marine zone in which there is the presence of light from the sun (plants can grow in this zone) Aphotic Zone - marine zone in which no light from the sun is present (very few organisms live in this zone)

Aquatic Biomes Estuary – shallow area where salt water and fresh water mix

Aquatic Biomes Wetland – area where fresh water, salt water, and land mix (marshes, swamps, and bogs)

Land Biomes Tundra –Location: northern North America, northern Europe, northern Asia –Climate: Cold, ground stays covered in snow, permafrost – permanent frozen layer of ground, scarce rainfall, very short summers

Land Biomes Tundra –Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants that do need a lot of water –Animals: caribou, migrating birds (come for the short summer)

Land Biomes Tundra

Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest –Location: near the Equator, Africa, & South America –Climate: Hot and Humid, rains everyday

Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest –Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall trees, thick vegetation on the ground, dense canopy –Animals: parrots, Apes, Toucans, Monkeys, Leopards, other predatory Cats, Snakes

Land Biomes Tropical Rain Forest

Land Biomes Coniferous Forest –Location: Canada, Washington (State), Russia, China –Climate: long cold Winters, short Summers, frequent Rain

Land Biomes Coniferous Forest –Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars –Animals: Moose, Bear, Lynx, Hibernating Animals, Migrating Animals

Land Biomes Deciduous Forest –Location: eastern United States (think about where we live), most of Europe, Australia –Climate: hot Summers, cold Winters, Rainfall throughout the year

Land Biomes Deciduous Forest –Plants: Trees that lose their leaves, Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores, Willows –Animals: Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Deer, Squirrels, Birds

Land Biomes Deciduous Forest

Land Biomes Desert –Location: Africa (think Scorpion King or the Mummy) –Climate: Hot, can snow at night, sparse Rainfall

Land Biomes Desert –Plants: Succulent Plants (retain water in the leaves), Cacti, and small Shrubs –Animals: Lizards, Snakes, small Rodents, other Rodents

Land Biomes Desert

Land Biomes Grassland –Location: Midwest United States (think Little House on the Prairie), Africa (think the Lion King), Asia, South America –Climate: long dry periods with occasional fires

Land Biomes Grassland –Plants: several species of Grasses, scattered Trees, and Wildflowers –Animals: burrowing Animals – Rabbits, Moles, & Rodents, grazing Animals – Buffalo, Zebras, and Giraffes, Lions, and Hyenas

Land Biomes Grassland

Land Biomes Chaparral

Land Biomes Taiga