Ecology 1

Questions What is a biome? Give 2 examples. What is a biome? Give 2 examples. Distinguish between the role of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Distinguish between the role of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. What is the main source of energy in an ecosystem? What is the main source of energy in an ecosystem? Explain the ripple effect. Explain the ripple effect. What does photosynthesis do? What does photosynthesis do? What happens to the energy in an ecosystem? What happens to the energy in an ecosystem? Distinguish between producers and consumers? Give examples. Distinguish between producers and consumers? Give examples. Make a sketch and explanation of an energy/biomass/numbers pyramid. Make a sketch and explanation of an energy/biomass/numbers pyramid. Where do consumers get their carbon? Where do consumers get their carbon? How does water become purified by the water cycle? How does water become purified by the water cycle? Why is nitrogen important in living organisms? Why is nitrogen important in living organisms? Why are bacteria necessary in the nitrogen cycle? Why are bacteria necessary in the nitrogen cycle? Explain the oxygen- carbon dioxide cycle. Explain the oxygen- carbon dioxide cycle. 2

Glossary 3 Latin / GreekEnglish autoself; directed from within carbo-coal, carbon con- (co-, col-, com-, cor-)with, together eco-house heter(o)-different, other hydrate (hydr(o)-)water photolight pro-before, in front of; for, forward sum- (sumpt-)take synthesis (syn-, sy-, syl-, sym-)with trophfeed, grow

What is Ecology? Ecology - the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Ecology - the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Biosphere - contains the combined portions of the planet in which life exists: Biosphere - contains the combined portions of the planet in which life exists: 1.Land 2.Water 3.Air or atmosphere 4

Introduction to Ecology 5

Levels of Organization Species - a group of organisms so genetically similar to one another that they can breed. Species - a group of organisms so genetically similar to one another that they can breed. Population - groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area. Population - groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area. Communities - assemblages of the different populations that live together in a defined area. Communities - assemblages of the different populations that live together in a defined area. Ecosystem - collection of all the organisms that live together in a particular place as well as their nonliving or physical environment. Ecosystem - collection of all the organisms that live together in a particular place as well as their nonliving or physical environment. Biome - group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. Biome - group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. 6

Energy Flow What is the main source of energy for life on Earth? What is the main source of energy for life on Earth?SUNLIGHT Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemical compounds Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemical compounds Autotrophs (producers) use energy from the environment to fuel assembly of simple compounds into complex organic molecules Autotrophs (producers) use energy from the environment to fuel assembly of simple compounds into complex organic molecules 7

Energy Flow Autotrophs The best known autotrophs are those harnessing the power of the sun through photosynthesis. — What do they do? The best known autotrophs are those harnessing the power of the sun through photosynthesis. — What do they do? The second type of autotrophs use chemical energy to make carbohydrates. This is performed by several types of bacteria. — Where have we seen evidence for this? The second type of autotrophs use chemical energy to make carbohydrates. This is performed by several types of bacteria. — Where have we seen evidence for this? 8

Energy Flow Consumers Heterotrophs - rely on other organisms for their energy and food Heterotrophs - rely on other organisms for their energy and food 1.Herbivores - obtain energy by eating plants 2.Carnivores - obtain energy by eating meat 3.Omnivores - obtain energy by eating plants & meat 4.Detritivores - obtain energy by eating dead organic material, esp. plant detritus 5.Decomposers - obtain energy by decomposing organic material 9

Energy Flow Relationship between autotrophs and heterotrophs Relationship between autotrophs and heterotrophs 10

Introduction to Energy Flow 11

Energy Relationships Energy flows from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) then to various heterotrophs (consumers) Energy flows from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) then to various heterotrophs (consumers) Food Chains are a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten Food Chains are a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten Food webs show the complex interactions within an ecosystem Food webs show the complex interactions within an ecosystem Each step in a food chain or web is called a trophic level. Each step in a food chain or web is called a trophic level. Producers make up the first step, consumers make up the higher levels Producers make up the first step, consumers make up the higher levels 12

Food Webs & Food Chains 13

Food Webs and Chains 14

Ecological Pyramids Ecological pyramid is a diagram showing the amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food web or food chain Ecological pyramid is a diagram showing the amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food web or food chain Energy Pyramid - 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level Energy Pyramid - 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level 15

Ecological Pyramid 16

Pyramids Continued Biomass pyramids show the total amount of living tissue available at each trophic level Biomass pyramids show the total amount of living tissue available at each trophic level Numbers pyramid shows the number of species at each trophic level Numbers pyramid shows the number of species at each trophic level Because each trophic level harvests only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it can support only about 0.1 the amount of living tissue Because each trophic level harvests only about one tenth of the energy from the level below, it can support only about 0.1 the amount of living tissue 17

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Pyramids 19

Cycles of Matter Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems These cycles are the These cycles are the 1.Water Cycle 2.Nutrient Cycle 3.Oxygen / Carbon Cycle 4.Nitrogen Cycle 5.Phosphorus Cycle 20

Carbon Cycle 21

Water Cycle 22

Nitrogen Cycle 23

Oxygen / Carbon Cycle 24

Questions What is a biome? Give 2 examples. What is a biome? Give 2 examples. Distinguish between the role of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem Distinguish between the role of biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem What is the main source of energy in an ecosystem? What is the main source of energy in an ecosystem? Explain the ripple effect. Explain the ripple effect. What does photosynthesis do? What does photosynthesis do? What happens to the energy in an ecosystem? What happens to the energy in an ecosystem? Distinguish between producers and consumers? Give examples. Distinguish between producers and consumers? Give examples. Make a sketch and explanation of an energy/biomass/numbers pyramid. Make a sketch and explanation of an energy/biomass/numbers pyramid. Where do consumers get their carbon? Where do consumers get their carbon? How does water become purified by the water cycle? How does water become purified by the water cycle? Why is nitrogen important in living organisms? Why is nitrogen important in living organisms? Why are bacteria necessary in the nitrogen cycle? Why are bacteria necessary in the nitrogen cycle? Explain the oxygen- carbon dioxide cycle. Explain the oxygen- carbon dioxide cycle. 25