Chapter 4 Section 1 Ecosystems

Climate Atmosphere, temperature, precipitation, and other environmental factors combine to produce ____________&__________. Weather is the day-to-day condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular ________ & ________.

Climate is average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular _________. Climate is caused by many factors: latitude, wind and ocean currents, precipitation, land elevation and shape.

The Greenhouse Effect The atmosphere serves as an insulating “__________” for Earth that provides suitable temperatures for life to exist.

Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other atmospheric gases trap heat energy & maintain Earth’s temperature range. They function like the ________ __________ of a greenhouse.

The Effect of Latitude on Climate The Earth has 3 main climate zones as a result of the differences in latitude and angle heating. 1. 2. 3.

The Polar Zones: are cold areas where the sun’s rays strike the earth at a very ______ angle. The Temperate Zones: sit between the polar zones and tropics. Temperate Zones are more affected by the changing angle of the sun = season changes of hot and cold.

The Tropical Zone (Tropics): near the equator and receive direct or nearly direct sunlight year-round. The climate is almost always ________.

Heat Transport in the Biosphere The unequal heating of the earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents, which ___________ heat throughout the biosphere.

Winds form because warm air tends to rise and cool air sinks. Similar to air currents, patterns of heating and cooling occur in the oceans creating ocean _________.

Surface ocean currents warm or cool the air above them, which affects the weather and climate of nearby landmasses. Ex. East Coast & Central USA Continents and other landmasses can also affect winds and ocean currents. Landmasses can interfere with the movement of ______ ________. Example:

Chapter 4 Section 2 What determines & shapes an ecosystem? Living & Non-living Factors

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Ecosystems are influenced by a combination of biological and physical factors. Biotic and Abiotic factors determine the___________&________of an organisms and the _____________of the ecosystem in which the organism lives.

Examples: Abiotic Biotic

Habitat vs. Niche Habitat: Niche: Habitats include both __________ &__________ factors. Example: Niche:

Community Interactions Community interactions include:____________,______________, & ______________. Competition: Competitive Exclusion Principle: Predation:

Symbiosis Any relationship in which 2 species live closely together 3 Main Types: Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Mutualism Both species benefit Example: Insects & Flowers

Commensalism One benefits & the other is neither helped nor harmed. Example: Barnacle & A whale

Parasitism One organism lives on or inside another organism & harms it. Parasite & Host Example: Tick & Dog

Ecological Succession Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural & human disturbances Ecological Succession = the series of predictable changes that occur in a community over time.

Ecological Succession 2 Types: Primary Secondary

Primary Succession Occurs on surfaces that have NO soil Example: after a volcanic eruption or on bare rock when a glacier melts The first species to occupy an area during primary succession is a Pioneer Species

Secondary Succession Succession following a disturbance that destroys the community without destroying the soil. Example: Forest Fire, Flood, Tornado

SB4. Students will assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystems. Investigate the relationships among organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. Explain the flow of matter and energy through ecosystems by Arranging components of a food chain according to energy flow. Comparing the quantity of energy in the steps of an energy pyramid. Explaining the need for cycling of major nutrients (C, O, H, N, P).

Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems. Assess and explain human activities that influence and modify the environment such as global warming, population growth, pesticide use, and water and power consumption. Relate plant adaptations, including tropisms, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions. Relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions.

Chapter 4 Section 4: Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic Ecosystems are determined primarily by the _________,______, _____________, and chemistry of the overlying water.

Freshwater Ecosystems can be divided into 2 main types: Flowing-Water Examples: Standing –Water

Plankton: tiny, free-floating organisms that live in both __________ and ____________environments. Phtyoplankton: unicellular algae that form the ________ of many aquatic food webs. Zooplankton: planktonic ___________ that feed on _____________.

Freshwater Wetlands A wetland is an ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the ___________ of the soil for at least part of the year. There are 3 main types 1 )_________ 2)_________ 3)__________

Estuaries Estuaries are wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea. Contain a mixture of ________& ________water. Estuaries serve as ______________ & __________ grounds for fish and shellfish.

Marine Ecosystems: Sunlight penetrates only a relative short distance through the surface of the water. Photosynthesis is limited to the _________ ________ (about 200 m) Only in this region can algae and other producers grow.

The _________ _______ lies below the photic zone and is permanently _______. Chemosynthetic ___________ are the only producers that can survive in the aphotic zone. Underwater sea vents

Marine ecosystems are also divided based on the _________ and ___________ from shore: 1)__________ Zone 2)__________ Ocean 3)__________ Ocean

Intertidal Zone: Organisms are exposed to _________ &_________ changes in their surroundings. They are both submerged and exposed two air during the same day.

Coastal Ocean: The Coastal Ocean extends from the low-tide mark to the outer edge of the continental shelf.

Coral Reefs: Coral reefs are found in the warm shallow water of _________ coastal oceans. They are among the most ___________& productive environments are earth. Coral reefs are named for the coral ___________ that they are made of.

Great Barrier Reef Australia

Open Ocean: Open Ocean is also known as the _________ ________. It begins at the edge of the continental shelf and extends outward. It is the ____________ marine zone.  Productivity is ______ in this zone.

Benthic Zone: The Benthic Zone is found on the ocean floor. It contains organisms that live attached to or near the bottom called Benthos.