1. ES101 9/14/10
Ecology I
If you’re using a laptop,
please sit in one of the first
three rows.

2. ES101 9/14/10 Ecology I If you need to setup your clicker, press “GO”
(or “Ch”), then “4,” then
“1,” then “GO.” You
should see a green light.
See me after class if you
have questions.

3. ES101 9/14/10
To be sure your clicker is communicating with the computer:
when you answer a question, hold down the button until you see the green light.
if you see a green light, you are all set.
see me at the end of class if you have questions.

4. ES101 9/14/10 Ecology I Bring your field guide to lab this week
Dress for weather
Long pants recommended
No sandals or open-toed shoes
1st lab report due this week
Tutor – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Frangelica Odell
M&W, 6-8pm
MH201

5. 4. Global Environmental Citizenship
Global environmentalism is the recognition that we share one environment
Social justice issues included – sharing of resources is critical for sustainable future

6. In your opinion, the greatest global environmental problem that humans face is
species extinctions
ozone depletion
global climate change
pollution in the oceans

7. ES Goal: Sustainability
= Ecological “balance” and human progress that last over the long term
= meeting the needs of the present generation (of all species) without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

8. How to achieve Sustainability?
Study the problem – scientific method, critical thinking
Understand the natural world
Understand human impacts
Learn how to change human behavior! Via laws, persuasion, communication, business, arts, etc.!

9. Ecological Principles and Sustainability
Ecology=Study of the interactions between organisms and the non-living environment
These interactions create
Ecosystems which have:
Energy flows
Nutrient cycles
Evolutionary pathways
Sustainability depends on understanding these systems

10. Ecological Principles and Sustainability
Ecology=Study of the interactions
between organisms and the
non-living environment
Sustainability depends
on understanding these systems
Let’s start with organisms
Levels of Biological Organization

11. Levels of Biological Organization
1. individual organisms – single life form
2. populations of many indivs. of the same species living in the same area
3. species
includes all organisms genetically similar enough to reproduce and produce fertile offspring

12. An ecological community includes
all individuals of a single species living in one place
all interacting species living in one place
all plants living in one place
the biological community and its physical environment

13. An ecosystem includes
all individuals of a single species living in one place
all interacting species living in one place
all plants living in one place
the biological community and its physical environment

14. Levels of Biological Organization
3. species
includes all organisms genetically similar enough to reproduce and produce fertile offspring
4. communities
all interacting species in one place
5. ecosystems
the biological community and its physical envt.
(all interacting living and non-living parts in one area)

15. (all interacting living and non-living parts in one area)
Biotic Factors
living organisms and interactions btwn. organisms that can affect species in the community
exs: predators, parasites, competition, etc.
Abiotic Factors
non-living features of the environment
exs: water, nutrients, sunlight

16. Abiotic Factors
non-living features of the environment
exs: water, nutrients, sunlight
A key feature of any ecosystem is
species diversity –
the number of different kinds of species present

17. Why should we care about the number of species in an ecosystem?
it’s important to know if an ecosystem is losing species (intelligent tinkering)
some species are useful to humans
all species have the right to exist
all of the above
1. and 2. only

18. Why should we care about the number of species in
an ecosystem?
will help us determine whether the ecosystem is losing species in the future (intelligent tinkering)
species may be of use to humans
some believe all species have the right to exist
Terrestrial Biomes of the World

19. Terrestrial Biomes of
the World
Biome =
Dominant ecosystem
in a region

20. Type of biome depends on temperature & precipitation

21. Tropical Rain Forest
Highest Precipitation
Greatest Species Diversity

25. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Major biome in eastern US
Med. precipitation
Very good soil
Forest re-grows easily
In general, greater diversity than
forests further north

26. Temperate Deciduous Forest
Major biome in eastern US
Med. precipitation
Very good soil
Forest re-grows easily
In general, greater diversity than
forests further north

27. Boreal Forest also called northern coniferous forest
Evergreen, conifer trees

28. also called northern coniferous forest
Evergreen, conifer trees
most common biome in much of Canada
in general, diversity is lower than forests further south

29. most common biome in most of Canada
in general, diversity is lower than forests further south
Franklin Pierce is located near the boundary btwn temperate deciduous forest and northern coniferous forest.