The Biosphere The Global ecosystem

Ecology Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment Helps us understand environmental issues - like pollution, wildlife management, using natural resources

Vocabulary Biotic Factors - bacteria, animals, fungi, plants and other animals Abiotic Factors - chemical and physical conditions (like water, wind, temperature, fire, sunlight, soil, )

BREAK!!! Write your answer in the margin of your handout Choose which one is a Biotic Factor in an ecosystem. A. Water B. Bears C. Sunlight D. Soil Share your idea with your neighbor

Biotic Factors Bacteria on the top of a lake (scum) New animal in an area (like catching a crocodile in the Sheboygan river) Adding a piranha to a fish tank Bugs

Abiotic Factors Wind Water Dirt Temperature change Acid rain Fire New buildings

Levels of Study Organism1 living animal PopulationMany animals, all the same kind (like all the same wolf) CommunityAll living organisms in an area (wolves, coyotes, birds, trees) EcosystemAll living organisms and non-living things (wolves, coyotes, birds, trees, rocks, wind, water, amount of sunlight) BiosphereMany ecosystems

BREAK Categorize the following items according to the ecological levels: 5 Black Bears A pirahna The Sahara Desert in Africa Share your ideas with your neighbors. Add their ideas to your list

BREAK What level will contain the following items? 5 Black Bears - Community A pirahna - Individual Organism The Sahara Desert in Africa - Ecosystem

The Biosphere isnt the same everywhere Earth is divided into habitats - or different environments where organisms live Desert Temperate grassland Temperate Deciduous Forest Savanna Tundra Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Rain Forest

Habitats Each Habitat has its own characteristics What are the characteristics of a desert? Dry, little rain, sand, snakes, scorpians, lizards, etc What are the characteristics of grassland? Flat, windy, dusty, wildflowers

Abiotic Factors Sunlight Water Temperature Soil Wind Severe Disturbances

Sunlight What organisms will be affected by the amount of sunlight? Plants - trees, grass, flowers Some need more sun and will grow taller Animals - Eating - some animals only hunt at night (raccoon, owl, bats) others are more out during the day Warming their body - reptiles need the sun to keep warm

Water The amount of water is important Too Much - everything can flood Too Little - drought

Temperature Animals have learned how to deal with the temperatures in their environment Here animals get a thicker coat in the winter or put on weight (like bears eat a lot before hibernation). React to temperature change for mating season

BREAK Assess which abiotic factor has the greatest impact on the height of trees? Share your ideas with your neighbors

Soil Type of Soil in an area will effect what plants can grow there

Wind Moves clouds, rain and thunderstorms Can spread seeds and pollen for plants

Severe Disturbances Fires, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Drought, Floods, Volcanoes Some organisms have adapted to these sudden changes Jack Pine - the pinecones wont open until there is a fire Some wild flowers can grow from their roots (instead of from a seed)

Break Describe a situation where abiotic factors can affect a biotic factor? Example - Dandelion flowers die and become the fluffy ball of seeds. A strong wind comes and spread the seeds even farther than the year before. The dandelions can now be found in more places and have more plants Share your ideas with your neighbors