Ecology Chapter 4 : Climate and Communities Chapter 4

Objectives: 4.1 Identify the causes of climate. Explain how Earth’s temperature range is maintained. Identify the Earth’s 3 main climate zones.

What is Climate? Climate – the average conditions of temperature and precipitation in an area. How is weather different from climate? What can cause climate changes? Trapping of heat by atmosphere, latitude, winds, currents and precipitation.

Effect of Latitude on Climate Solar radiation strikes different parts of the Earth’s surfaces at different angles. This also causes SEASONS

Three Climate Zones Polar = cold areas Temperate = hot to cold seasons Tropical = direct sunlight, always warm

Sunlight Some heat escapes into space Greenhouse gases trap some heat Atmosphere Earth’s surface Section 4-1 The Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect CO2, methane, water vapor, and other gases stay in atmosphere. Solar energy enters but cannot always leave –Trapped heat is reflected back to Earth… HEATING it up! Some heat escapes into space Greenhouse gases trap some heat Sunlight Atmosphere Earth’s surface

Heat Transport The unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents Warm air near the equator rises, and cooler air near the poles sinks Air currents - move heat throughout the atmosphere Ocean Currents..

Quick Check 1. Which zone has obvious seasons? a) polar b) temperate c) tropical 2. What causes the seasons? a) tilt of the earth b) distance of the earth from the sun c) the path the earth takes around the sun 3.Latitude is a measure of how far a place is from the: a) sun b) poles c) equator 4. The Greenhouse Effect is caused by: a) trapped gasses b) sun flares c) weather 5. Average year round conditions is ________________

Quick Check 1. Which zone has obvious seasons? a) polar b) temperate c) tropical 2. What causes the seasons? a) tilt of the earth b) distance of the earth from the sun c) the path the earth takes around the sun 3.Latitude is a measure of how far a place is from the: a) sun b) poles c) equator 4. The Greenhouse Effect is caused by: a) trapped gasses b) sun flares c) weather 5. Average year round conditions is climate

What Factors Shape an Ecosystem? Objectives: 4.2 Explain how biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem. Identify community interactions. Describe how ecosystems recover from a disturbance.

What shapes an Ecosystem? Biotic - ALL living organisms Abiotic – non-living components (soil, rocks, sunlight, wind, rain) Habitat – The place where a population lives Zoo exhibits often try to recreate habitats so that the animals are comfortable.

Niche (“neesh” or “nich”) The role an organism plays in its environment or how it lives –What is it’s home like? –Where does it get food? –Where does it get water? –Who does it interact with? –Where it mates? What role do you play in your environment?

Bay-Breasted Warbler Feeds in the middle part of the tree Yellow-Rumped Warbler Feeds in the lower part of the tree and at the bases of the middle branches Cape May Warbler Feeds at the tips of branches near the top of the tree Spruce tree Section 4-2 Figure 4-5 Three Species of Warblers and Their Niches Can two warbler species occupy the same “niche” on the tree? NO!!! WHY?? Competitive Exclusion Principle

What about these 3 birds: Kingfisher Heron Loon *All live on lakes and eat fish. How are they not in the same niche?

Community Interactions Competition – two organisms using the same resource at the same time Predation – one organism feeding on another

Symbiosis – two species living together 1. Mutualism – both benefit 2. Commensalism – one benefits while other is neither helped or harmed 3. Parasitism – one benefits and other is harmed Community Interactions

Name that symbiotic relationship: Cattle and livestock stir up food on the ground for the egret. Looks a bit painful, but somebody’s having a good time.. The clownfish and the anemone are protected by each other.

Ecological Succession Predictable changes in a community over time. Primary succession – first colonization of life by PIONEERS where no soil exists. - Volcanic eruptions, melted glaciers Secondary succession – re-growth of plants and colonization of species where only soil remains. - Fires, land clearing, farming

Primary Succession Lichens (fungus + algae): often the pioneer species

Secondary Succession Climax community – last stage which has the most mature and stable communities.

Quick Check 1. When two organisms live in close association with one another, it is called: a) symbiosis b) succession c) exclusion d) latitude 2. Two organisms are placed in an aquarium. Animal A stays mostly at the top of the aquarium and eats food that floats. Animal B stays on the bottom and eats food that sinks. This illustrates: a) symbiosis b) competitive exclusion c) mutualism d) succession 3. The competitive exclusion principle states: No two species can occupy the same _________. 4. The first species to enter an ecosystem after it has been destroyed by a fire is called a(n): a. opportunist b) successor c) technician d) pioneer 5. What is an example of an ABIOTIC factor?

Quick Check 1. When two organisms live in close association with one another, it is called: a) symbiosis b) succession c) exclusion d) latitude 2. Two organisms are placed in an aquarium. Animal A stays mostly at the top of the aquarium and eats food that floats. Animal B stays on the bottom and eats food that sinks. This illustrates: a) symbiosis b) competitive exclusion c) mutualism d) succession 3. The competitive exclusion principle states: No two species can occupy the same NICHE 4. The first species to enter an ecosystem after it has been destroyed by a fire is called a(n): a. opportunist b) successor c) technician d) pioneer 5. What is an example of an ABIOTIC factor? Water, rocks, soil, gas

How are Biomes determined? What kind of Biomes are there?

Land Biomes Abiotic factors: rain, temperature, soil type These will govern what organisms can live there

Aquatic Biomes Freshwater – Rivers, lakes, streams, ponds Saltwater – Oceans, seas Mix (salt and freshwater) – Estuaries Abiotic factors that affect biome: water temp., salinity, oxygen content