1. Ecology Chapter 15

2. Objectives OB59 study a local habitat, using appropriate instruments and simple keys to show the variety and distribution of named organisms OB60 understand that living things are affected by their environment and respond to changes that occur in that environment, and understand that their numbers depend on the availability of food and the presence or absence of other organisms

3. OB61 list examples of producers, decomposers and consumers in an ecosystem OB62 select a food chain and a food web from a named habitat and identify examples of adaptation, competition and interdependence

4. Ecology is the study of how living things interact with each other and their environment. Examples of how organisms interact 1. Animals need plants for food e.g. rabbit eats grass 2. Animals need plants for shelter eg. Robin builds next in hawthorn hedge.

5. 3. Plants rely on animals to scatter pollen and seeds. E.g. blackbird eats blackberry or bee carries pollen from one dandlion to another. Habitats The habitat of an organism is the place where it lives

6. Each habitat has its own collection of plants and animals e.g. earthworms, daisies, robins, greenfly are found in a grassland habitat. An ecosystem is the habitat plus the community of organisms.

7. Each habitat is made up of different populations of plants and animals. E.g. a hedgerow might have a population of woodlice, a population of nettles and a population of hawthorn bushes.

8. The numbers in a population of plants and animals can vary depending on such things at the weather, light, food, predators etc.

9. Feeding Relationships in a Habitat Three Types: 1. Producers – Green plants are known as producers because they make their own food by photosynthesis 2. Consumers – All other organisms get their food either by eating plants or eating other animals.

10. There are three types of consumers a) Herbivores – Organisms that feed on plant material only e.g. snails b) Carnivores – Organisms that feed on animal material only e.g. ladybird c) Omnivores – Organisms that feed on both plant and animal material. E.g. badger

11. Decomposers Decomposers feed on dead plant and animal matter.

14. Food Chains A Food Chain is the way in which energy and nutrients are passed form one organism to another. e.g. grass -> rabbit -> fox Habitat = grassland

15. Energy Flow in a Food Chain Energy from the sun is used to make food in the leaves The leaves in turn provide energy for the consumers. Each organism needs to eat a large number of leaves to meet their energy needs.

16. Food Webs A food web is a series of interconnected (overlapping) food chains.

18. Adaptation Adaptation is when an organism has characteristics that make it well suited to its environment. e.g. a ladybird has a bright red colour to warn away predators

20. Competition Competition is when organisms fight over the things that they need.

21. Competition Plants compete for light, water space and minerals E.g. daisies and grass compete for light in grassland Animals compete for food territory mates and shelter Thrushes and blackbirds compete with each other for earthworms and insects

22. Competition takes place when organisms struggle for the same resources in the habitat.

23. Interdependence In a habitat many organisms depend on each other to stay alive Animals depend on plants for shelter and food. E.g. grey squirrels nest in beech trees Plants also depend on animals e.g bees transfer pollen from one dandlion to another

24. Interdependence The grey squirrel needs the beech tree for shelter and the squirrel spreads the beech nuts. This is known as interdependence. Interdependence is when two different types of organism need each other.

25. Habitat Study Steps in studying a habitat. 1. Make a simple map of the habitat 2. Make a note of environmental factors 3. Identify and list the types of plants and animals present 4. Estimate the number and distribution of organisms in the habitat.

26. Prepare a report on your findings.

27. Environmental factors affecting the habitat. 1. Factors relating to soil e.g. Ph, moisture 2. Weather factors e.g. rainfall, temperature 3. Physical factors e.g. direction of habitat, height above sea level 4. Biotic factors i.e. living factors such as competition

28. Environmental factorHow measured Soil pHpH meter RainfallRain guage TemperatureThermometer Light IntensityLight Meter DirectionCompass

29. Apparatus See table 17.2 pg 109

30. Identifying Plants & Animals Plants may be identified using a plant key and animals may be identified using an animal key

31. Collecting & Identifying plants and animals Apparatus + Diagram How it is usedUsed to collect 1. Pooter 2. Beating Tray 3. Pitfall Trap

32. Environmental Factors Environmental FactorHow measured Soil pHUniversal Indicator/pH Meter RainfallRain gauge TemperatureThermometer Light IntensityLight Meter DirectionCompass Soil TemperatureSoil Thermometer

33. Quadrat A quadrat is a square frame thrown at random in a habitat. It is used to estimate plant numbers. It is made of metal or wood.

34. Line Transect A line transect is a rope marked out at regular intervals across a habitat. It is used to investigate the distribution of organisms. It is marked off at regular intervals e.g. every 50cm called stations. The types of plants or animals found touching each station are recorded.

35. Line Transect

36. Conservation, Pollution and Waste Management Conservation is the protection and careful management of our natural resources. Endangered animals in Ireland e.g. Barn owl and frog

37. Habitats can be destroyed by: 1. Cutting down trees in woodlands for timber and housing 2. Bog lands being drained for farming Conservation is necessary to: 1. Prevent organisms from becoming extinct 2. To maintain the balance of nature

38. Pollution Pollution is the addition of harmful substances to the environment. E.g. Air Pollution

39. Pollution CauseEffect Air PollutionSmoke & DustIrritates lungs CFC’sDamage ozone layer and cause skin cancer Water PollutionUntreated sewageDecomposers use up oxygen and cause fish to die OilPoisons birds and fish Soil PollutionFertilisersSoil damage

40. Examples of Air Pollution

41. Examples of Water Pollution

42. Examples of Soil Pollution Soil pollution can be caused by: Acid Rain Over use of fertilisers Improper dumping of waste material

43. Waste management Waste management is the way that we deal with our waste We can manage our waste by using a) Landfill sites b) Incinerators c) Recycling d) Composting

44. Waste Management

45. The three Rs in Waste Management

46. Problems of Poor Waste Management Examples: Poisonous chemicals from waste may get into air, water or soil and have serious effects on organisms Dumping waste at sea may pollute the seas and kill fish.

47. Human Effects on the Environment Positive Effects 1.Reduction in number of plastic bags thrown away in Ireland because of plastic bag tax Negative Effects 1. Temperature of planet rising due to increased burning of fossil fuels eg. Oil.