Principles of Ecology Chapter 2

Ecology: Branch of biology that describes relationships between organisms and the environments in which they live -eat different foods -seek different shelter -different environment for young

Law of Conservation of Matter: Applies to everything that exists Most organisms use only those materials that make up their food supply Little waste is generated Most waste is recycled through natural processes Human waste is not this way

We may change them to make them more compatible with the environment, but it never goes away Properly dispose of all waste Use fewer materials that are disposable by recycling

Industrial waste pollution: Include: harmful chemicals, poisonous metallic compounds, acids, and other caustic materials Pollute surface water (rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes) Aquatic plants and animals can’t survive

Effort to reduce: Water treatment plants Special equipment in smokestacks Burn combustible portion of solid waste as an energy source Trap pollutants when burned (expensive and use limited)

Pesticide pollution: Insecticide: used to kill insects Herbicides: used to control plants Rodenticide: used to poison rodents

Petroleum: An oily, flammable liquid that occurs naturally in large underground deposits -AKA- crude oil -when they leak or spill, it damages land and water -law says that underground tanks must regularly be inspected for leaks

Laws of Energy: Energy: the ability to do work or to cause changes to occur The power or force that enables animals to move or the tide to flow Energy can’t be recycled but it can be stored for later

Energy example: Solar energy (sunlight) – captured by plants – stored as molecules of sugar and starch – eaten by animal – energy released and allowing animal to do work or stored as fat, carbs, or protein until needed – animal dies – energy stored in the form of fossil fuels or eaten by decomposers

First law of energy: States that energy can’t be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form of energy to another Exp: Radiant energy (sun) to chemical energy (sugars and starches) by photosynthesis

Second Law of Energy: States that every time energy is converted from one form to another, some is lost in the form of heat Heat lost is not destroyed but is not available for later use

Carbon Cycle: