ECOLOGY

Ecosystem All of the organisms living in an area and the non-living features of their environment. In this ecosystem, name some biotic and abiotic factors.

Nonliving and Living Components of Ecosystems Ecosystems consist of nonliving (abiotic) and living (biotic) components. Figure 3-10

Energy and matter flow through ecosystems Autotrophs (plants/producers) are organisms that can make their own food through the process of photosynthesis. Autotrophs use solar energy and convert it into usable organic compounds such as glucose.

Heterotrophs must consume other organisms for energy. They can NOT make their own food. The energy stored in their chemicals bonds is used to carry out daily life functions. Photosynthesis ProducerPrimary Consumer Secondary consumer Tertiary consumer Decomposer Heat lost through respiration Nutrients returned to environment

Decomposers Help break down organic wastes and dead organisms and return the raw materials to the environment Bacteria and fungi

Habitat The location or environment where an organism lives. A habitat provides 4 important things for an organism: shelter, water, food, and space Examples of habitats are forests, meadows, rivers, and marshes.

Niche The role of the organism in its habitat. The organisms job and function Example 1: I am teacher, friend, shopper, etc Example 2: a squirrel is nut consumer, food for cats, etc.

Biomass The total mass of living matter in a given space.

A food chain, shown above, shows one path the energy can take. A food web is a collection of several food chains, linked together. WheatMouse Snake Owl

Organism Any living thing that is self- sufficient, can grow and reproduce.

Species A group of like organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. Some examples would be humans, lions, zebra, and giraffes. Animals, Plants, and Microorganisms all have different species.

Population All the organisms in an ecosystem that belong to the same species.

Community All of the populations in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem A community of different species interacting together & with the chemical & physical factors making up its non-living environment.

Biosphere The sum of all the ecosystems; anywhere on earth that supports life

Producers An organism that uses solar energy to manufacture its food. Contains 100% of available energy

Primary Consumer (herbivore) An organism that feeds directly on all or parts of plants. Contains 10% of available energy.

Secondary Consumer (carnivore or omnivore) An organisms that feeds on primary consumers. Contains 1% of available energy.

Tertiary Consumer (carnivore) Animals that feed on other carnivores. Ex. hawks, lions, bass, and sharks These top predators contain only 0.1% of available energy.

Quaternary Consumer An animal that feeds on tertiary consumers. These are usually scavengers or detritivores and contain only 0.01% of available energy.

Limiting Factor Anything that restricts the number of individuals in a populations Limiting factors can be biotic (living) or abiotic (non-living) components of an environment. Examples would be competition for food from other organisms (biotic) or temperature changes (abiotic). Natural disaster such as drought or hurricane can also be limiting.

A food (or energy) pyramid shows that the greatest amount of energy in the ecosystem is stored in the producers. There are very few tertiary consumers in ecosystems because it takes a lot of energy feed one.

10% Rule We assume that 90% of the energy at each energy level is lost because the organism uses the energy. (heat) It is more efficient to eat lower on the energy pyramid. You get more out of it! This is why top predators are few in number & vulnerable to extinction.

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem: Losing Energy in Food Chains and Webs Only 10 % of energy is transferred to the level above it. 90% of energy at each level is lost as HEAT! Figure 3-19

Biological Magnification- Toxins(poisons) can build up in the food chain. The higher an animal is on the food pyramid, the more poision he has consumed.

Carrying Capacity- the number of organisms that an environment can support.

Some changes may cause a population to increase. At some point during population growth, resources become limited and the population slows in growth and becomes stabilized.

What did the rabbit population do in June? What happened in August?

What did the deer population do in 1925? What caused the carrying capacity to fall?

Symbiosis: Organisms can have dependent relationships with one another. Mutualism(+,+)- both or organisms benefit from the relationship. Ants protect the aphids and aphids supply “honeydew” for ants to eat The flower provides food for the insect and the insect pollinates the flower

Algae and Fungus (+, +) If the fungus and alga are compatible, they can make a lichen.

Mutualism (+, +) The ants harvest “honeydew” as a food source from the aphids and in exchange provide aphids with protection.

Mutualism (+, +) The Nile Crocodile has leaches removed and the Plover receives a meal and is not harmed

Commensalism (+,0) – one organism benefits, the other is not effected. Algae growing in the sloth’s hair is eaten by a moth, but the sloth is not bothered. The Cattle Egret eats insects that cattle stir up while grazing, the cattle are not affected Spanish moss grows on trees receiving light and nutrients from the air. The tree is not helped or harmed.

Pilot Fish and Shark (+, O) Pilot fish feeds on scraps and is not preyed on by the shark.

Shrimp and Sea Anemone (+,O) Shrimp receives protection and food scraps, anemone is not affected

Parasitism(+,-): one organism benefits, the other is harmed. The tick receives food, the dog is bitten. Brown-headed Cowbird

Tapeworm and Human (+,-) The tapeworm is a parasite and feeds on the nutrients inside the human intestinal tract.

Virus and Human (+,-) Virus requires a human host to survive and human is harmed.

Parasitism (+, -) The flea feeds on a dog. The flea is the predator and the dog is its prey.

Parasitism(+, -) The Catalpa Worm is parasitized by tiny wasp larvae. The adult wasps sting the caterpillar, injecting their eggs. The eggs hatch and larvae emerge and spin cocoons.

Predation An organisms that captures & feeds on parts or all of another animal.

Prey An organisms that is captured & serves as a source of food for another animal.

Predator/Prey Cycle