1. An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
Chapter 52
An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

2. You Must Know The role of abiotic factors in the formation of biomes.
Features of freshwater and marine biomes.
Major terrestrial biomes and their characteristics.

3. Ecology: the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment
The ecological study of species involves biotic and abiotic influences.
Biotic = living (organisms – behaviors & interactions between organisms)
Abiotic = nonliving (temp, water, salinity, sunlight, soil)

4. Heirarchy Organisms: individual living things
Population: group of individuals of same species living in a particular geographic area
Community: group of populations of different species in an area
Ecosystem: community of organisms (biotic) + physical factors/environment (abiotic)
Landscape: mosaic of connected ecosystems
Biosphere: global ecosystem

6. Climate: long-term prevailing weather conditions in a particular area
Climate = temperature + precipitation + sunlight + wind
Macroclimate vs. microclimate:
Macro: work at seasonal, regional or local level
Micro: small-scale environmental variation (eg. under a log)
Climate change: some species may not survive shifting ranges

7. Global Climate Patterns: Sunlight intensity

8. Global Climate Patterns: Air Circulation & Precipitation Patterns

9. Global Climate Patterns: Ocean Currents

10. Global Climate Patterns: Mountains affect rainfall
Rain shadow

11. Which side of the canyon has more plants? Why?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison River

12. Biomes: major types of ecosystems that occupy very broad geographic regions

13. Climate and elevation determine biomes
Figure 34.7C
Figure 34.12
Figure 34.12

14. Climograph: plot of temperature & precipitation in a particular region

15. Tropical Forest

16. Desert

17. Savanna

18. Chaparral

19. Temperate Grassland

20. Northern Coniferous Forest

21. Temperate Broadleaf Forest

22. Tundra

23. Lakes

24. Wetlands

25. Streams & Rivers

26. Estuaries

27. Intertidal Zones

28. Oceanic Pelagic Zone
(Open Water)

29. Coral Reefs

30. Marine Benthic Zone

31. Biogeography: geographic distribution of species
Factors:
Dispersal – movement away from area of origin
Behavior – habitat selection
Biotic factors – other species, food resources, competition, pollinators, predators
Abiotic factors – temp, water, oxygen, salinity, sunlight, rocks & soil

32. What factors may have influenced the distribution of this species?

33. Individual Project Score
Biomes Group Project
Groups of 4 (1 group of 3)
You will draw names for groups
Due Date: Wednesday March 28
Some Class Time will be provided
Individual Project Score
Name: _______________________________
Project Score: _______ / 125
Peer Allotted Participation Points: ______/25
Total Points: ______ / 150