Ecology

Ecology Ecology: Study of interaction between organisms and their environment Ecology: Study of interaction between organisms and their environment Population – same speciesPopulation – same species CommunityCommunity EcosystemsEcosystems Biotic and abiotic factors Biotic and abiotic factors

Habitat – physical surroundings – place it lives Habitat – physical surroundings – place it lives Niche – role (example feeding) Niche – role (example feeding)

Biosphere – part of earth where life exists Divided into biomes – based on temperature and precipitation. Examples: Divided into biomes – based on temperature and precipitation. Examples: TundraTundra TaigaTaiga Deciduous ForestsDeciduous Forests GrasslandsGrasslands DesertDesert Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest

The Cycles Water Cycle Water Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus Cycle

Changes in Populations Ecological Succession – populations of species in a given area change over time Ecological Succession – populations of species in a given area change over time Primary Succession – developing from a newly exposed habitat devoid of life (rock) Primary Succession – developing from a newly exposed habitat devoid of life (rock) Secondary Succession – sequence in an area that previously supported life (burned area, old field, clearcut) Secondary Succession – sequence in an area that previously supported life (burned area, old field, clearcut)

Primary Versus Secondary Secondary originates with soil Secondary originates with soil

Pioneer Community – the original plant forms that colonize an area Pioneer Community – the original plant forms that colonize an area Climax Community – final stage – very stable Climax Community – final stage – very stable

Examples Field ---shrubs ---- pine --- hardwood Pond –field -shrub --pine – hardwood Lichen on rock –field (etc)

Food Chains and Food Webs Predator Predator Prey Prey Food Chain Food Chain Food Web Food Web Trophic Level Trophic Level

Food Chains and Food Webs Producers (autotrophs) Producers (autotrophs) Consumers (heterotrophs) Consumers (heterotrophs) HerbivoresHerbivores CarnivoresCarnivores OmnivoresOmnivores Scavengers Scavengers Decomposers Decomposers

Ecological Pyramids Energy Pyramids Energy Pyramids Biomass Pyramids Biomass Pyramids Numbers Pyramids Numbers Pyramids

Impact of Human Activity Just think bad – depleting resources, destroying habitats, pollution Just think bad – depleting resources, destroying habitats, pollution Fossil fuels – release CO2 – greenhouse effect/global warming Fossil fuels – release CO2 – greenhouse effect/global warming Smog – combination smoke and fog Smog – combination smoke and fog Acid Rain- rain with sulfuric acid Acid Rain- rain with sulfuric acid

More Evil Human Stuff Strip Mining – leads to erosion Strip Mining – leads to erosion Pollutants – biodegradable or not Pollutants – biodegradable or not

How to fix the Evil Human Impacts Recycle and Reuse Recycle and Reuse No more deforestation No more deforestation Contour plowing or terracing Contour plowing or terracing Conserve water Conserve water

Plant and Animal Responses to Environment Behavior – response to environment Behavior – response to environment ReflexReflex InstinctInstinct Tropisms in plants Tropisms in plants GeotropismGeotropism PhototropismPhototropism thigmotropismthigmotropism

Response and Adaptations Adaptations – allow an organism to survive in a particular area Adaptations – allow an organism to survive in a particular area Cactus and Polar Bears are ADAPTED to their environment Cactus and Polar Bears are ADAPTED to their environment Remember HOMEOSTASIS – maintaining a stable internal environment. Warm blooded and cold blooded animals maintain their temperatures in different ways. Remember HOMEOSTASIS – maintaining a stable internal environment. Warm blooded and cold blooded animals maintain their temperatures in different ways.