1. Environmental Science Kathey Hoover 2009-10

2.  Ecology-comes from two greek words meaning the “study of home”  Ecology is the study of organisms in their natural habitat  Scientists who study ecology are called ecologists.

3. NON-LIVING COMPONENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT LIVING ORGANISMS  Light  Water  Wind  Nutrients in the soil  Heat  Solar radiation  Atmosphere etc.  Plants  Animals  microorganisms

4.  The living components are known as biotic.

5.  Climatology  Hydrology  Oceanagraphy  Geology  Physics  Chemistry  Animal behavior  Mathematics  taxonomy

6.  Geosphere: consists of that part of the earth which is rock  Hydrosphere: consists of that part of the earth which is water  Cryosphere: describes the portions of the earth where the water is frozen into ice.  Atmosphere: the gaseous portion of the earth that surrounds the entire planet.  Biosphere: includes the mass of all living things livings all around the earth

7.  The science of ecology views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit.

8.  A biome is a large geographic region determined by the climate and soil type.  Each biome has a distinctly different type of plant life.  Major biomes include arctic tundra, northern coniferous forest (taiga), temperate deciduous forest, prairie or grassland, desert, tropical savanna, and tropical rainforest.

9.  The climate of a region refers to its average weather pattern over a long period of time.  The amount and pattern of precipitation and the normal range of temperatures describe the climate.  The climate affects the soil type, plant life, and characteristic group of animals.

10. Can you name all seven biomes? Photos by Corel

11. No trees Low temperatures Permafrost-only surface thaws Short growing season

16. Above freezing only 2-4 months Thin acidic soils No permafrost

19. Distinct seasons Soil rich in humus (decayed matter) More decomposers

21. Distinct seasons Hot summers, cold winters Periodic droughts Deep topsoil that is very rich in nutrients

24. Can be cold, temperate, or tropical Usually great temperature variation between day and night Years of drought Flash floods sandy

25. Cool and hot dry seasons separated by rainy seasons No cold season Fertile soils Deep layer of topsoil

29. Tropical Very little variation in temperature Continuous growing season Heavy rain Thin soils with few nutrients

30.  Ecosystem-a group of organisms that live together and interact with each other and their environment.  Habitat-the place within an ecosystem where an animal prefers to live. A habitat must meet all of an organisms needs for food, water, living space, and cover.  species-similar organisms that breed to produce fertile offspring  Population-the total number of a species living in a defined region.

31. Woodpecker Species Downy WoodpeckerHairy Woodpecker Photos by Donna Dewhurst/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

32. Photos by J. Person

33. Woodpecker Species Eastern BluebirdWood DuckRuffed Grouse How have human activities affected populations of these birds? Joe Kosack/PGC Photo Edward Wagner/U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecPhoto by Corel