ECOLOGY (Ch ) 1
Species dispersal and distribution Why is species X absent from an area? Does dispersal limit its distribution? Does behavior limit its distribution? Area inaccessible or insufficient time Yes No Yes Habitat selection Do biotic factors (other species) limit its distribution? Predation, parasitism, competition, disease Do abiotic factors limit its distribution? Chemical factors Physical factors Water Oxygen Salinity pH Soil nutrients, etc. Temperature Light Soil structure Fire Moisture, etc. Problems with Introduced Species
Different factors may determine the distribution of a species on different scales – Refer to the biomes and biome characteristics Most species have small geographic ranges 9
Animal Behaviors Defensive, Mating, etc. Behavioral has both proximate and ultimate causes – Proximate: elicit a behavior – Ultimate: evolutionary significance Behavior results from both genes and environmental factors
How populations are linked 23
Trophic levels Food Chain Food Web Energy Pyramids Producers, Consumers, Heterotrophs, Autotrophs (photo, chemo) 25
Ch. 54-Ecosystems All of the biotic and abiotic factors interacting. NPP=GPP-R Limiting Factors
A General Model of Chemical Cycling
Biological Magnification When toxins become more concentrated in successive trophic levels of a food web.
Ch. 55 Conservation Biology Endangered Species Introduced Species – Invasive species