Warmup Describe how the nitrogen and carbon cycles are out of equilibrium. Create a diagram to go with your description.

JANUARY 25, 2011

Predator-Prey Relationships The limiting factor for prey is often how long they are able to survive without being eaten. The limiting factor for predators is often how much food they can get, i.e. how often they can find and kill prey. The predator-prey relationship limits the size of both species in a negative feedback cycle.

Predator Prey Relationships 1)If prey ↑ 2)Then predators ↑ 3)Then prey ↓ 1)If prey ↓ 2)Then predators ↓ 3)Then prey ↑ 1)If predators ↑ 2)Then prey ↓ 3)Then predators ↓ 1)If predators ↑ 2)Then prey ↓ 3)Then predators ↓

Negative Feedback Systems A negative feedback system is where the status of the system is pushed in the opposite direction it has moved, always back towards the middle. This self-balances and achieves equilibrium. Ex: Your HVAC system (heating ventilation air conditioning). Your motivation to do things. Your nervous and endocrine systems. A predator-prey relationship.

Prominent Biome Types Mountains Desert Savannah Grassland Tundra Tropical Dry Forest Tropical Rainforest Temperate Forests Sub-Arctic Forests (Taiga) Deep Sea Shallow Sea Estuary/Littoral Zone

Mountains Trees don’t grow above the tree- line where the air is too thin (13,500 ft in some cases).

Tundra Frozen over for large portions of the year. Seasonal wildflowers reproduce quickly when growing conditions are good.

Desert

Grassland Cooler than a savanna, warmer than a tundra.

Savanna Known for some of the largest herds of herbivores.

Temperate Forests Temperate forests have adapted to seasonal climates by having broad leaves in the summer but losing leaves so as not to break branches in the winter. Most plants can switch between two different forms of photosynthesis depending on the temperature of their habitat. Temperate trees and tropical trees

Tropical Dry Forests

Tropical Rainforests Best capture of sunlight and lots of rain. Carbon and nitrogen are cycled quickly and are not stored well in the soil. Highest diversity and most complex food web.

Sub-Arctic Forests (Taiga) Pine trees grow very skinny where places with large amounts of snow could break branches. Trees which lose their leaves during winter have a harder time competing in locations with shorter growing seasons.

Deep Sea Sunlight is unavailable. There are no producers, so the ecosystem is built off of decomposers who eat materials that fall from above.

Shallow Sea Good amount of sunlight allows cyanobacteria, algae, kelp, and seaweed to support a large energy pyramid.

Estuary/Littoral Zone Estuaries have a mix of fresh and salt water species. Tidal/Littoral Zones have lots of light, animals which can retain moisture during part of the day, and are subject to predation by birds.

Organization IndividualsSingle organisms PopulationsA group of one species CommunitiesA symbiotic group Biomes/EcosystemsAll species, same location BiosphereThe biologically active part of Earth Categorize these: 1)Earth, Zebra, Savanna, Zebras, Giraffe 2)Mike, Spot (dog), suburban, Earth, Rocklin