1. Chapter 3:Ecosystems and Communities
Georgia Performance Standards:
Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems.
Determine how organisms depend on one another and the flow of energy and
matter within their ecosystems.
Define population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
Essential Questions:
EQ: How does the change in temperature and climate affect life in different ecosystems and communities?
EQ: How are ecosystems organized?
EQ: If you had to design another biosphere on another planet, what would you include?

2. 3–1 The Role of Climate Warm-up
1. When does the area in which you live experience the lowest temperatures? Does the temperature ever get below freezing? If so, how often does this occur?
2. When does the area in which you live have the highest temperatures? About how high is the highest temperature?
3. How often does it rain where you live? Is one season rainier than the others?
4. Does it ever snow where you live? If so, what is the heaviest snowfall you can remember?
5. What are two factors that may affect climate?
How would you describe your climate, or the average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation where you live?
Does your area receive a great deal of precipitation—rain and snow—or is your area very dry?

3. 3-1: The Role of Climate
Weather is the day-to-day condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.
Climate, on the other hand, refers to the average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

4. The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect
Section 4-1
Sunlight
Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and a few other atmospheric gases trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range
These gases allow solar radiation to enter the biosphere but slows down the loss of heat to space
Some heat
escapes
into space
Greenhouse
gases trap
some heat
Atmosphere
Earth’s surface

5. The Effect of Latitude on Climate
As a result of differences in latitude and thus the angle of heating, Earth has three main climate zones: polar, temperate, and tropical.

6. Climate Zones:
Polar - cold areas where the sun’s rays strike Earth at a very low angle.
Temperate - sit between the polar zones and the tropics.
Tropical - receive direct or nearly direct sunlight year-round, making the climate almost always warm

7. Heat Transport in the Biosphere
The unequal heating of Earth’s surface drives winds and ocean currents, which transport heat throughout the biosphere.
The upward movement of warm air and the downward movement of cool air create air currents, or winds, that move heat throughout the atmosphere, from regions of sinking air to regions of rising air .
Continents and other landmasses can also affect winds and ocean currents

8. Warm-up: EQ: What Shapes an Ecosystem?
Organisms not only live together in ecological communities, but they also constantly interact with one another.
These interactions, which include predation and competition, help shape the ecosystem in which they live.
Based on your own experiences, define predation. Give one example of predation.
2. Based on your own experiences, define competition. Give one example of competition.

9. What Shapes an Ecosystem?
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Niche
Community Interactions
Ecological Succession

10. Abiotic & Biotic Factors:
Abiotic factors are nonliving factors
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
Wind
Nutrient availability
Soil type
Sunlight
Biotic factors are living factors
Ecological community
Ex: bull frog, what is eats, other organisms with which it interacts.

11. Abiotic & Biotic Factors:
Together, biotic and abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity of the ecosystem in which the organism lives.
The area where an organism lives is called its habitat. A habitat includes biotic and abiotic factors.

12. Niche Habitat is to address as niche is to occupation
A niche is an organism’s role or job in an ecosystem.
Ex: an organisms place in the food web.(earthworm-decomposer)

13. Community Interactions
Competition, predation, and various forms of symbiosis, can powerfully affect an ecosystem.

14. Competition
Organisms of the same or different species attempt to use an ecological resource in the same place at the same time.
Direct competition in nature often results in a winner and a loser—with the losing organism failing to survive
Competitive exclusion principle - no two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time.

15. Predation
An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism.
Ex: Anglerfish on Finding Nemo.

16. Symbiosis Any relationship in which two species live closely together
Mutualism – both species benefits
Ex: bee and flower
Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is neither hurt nor harmed.
Barnacles on whale
Parasitism – one species benefits and the other is harmed
Flea on dog

17. Checkpoint!!!
How are the three types of symbiotic relationships different? How are they similar?

18. Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances.
As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further changes in the community.
Ecological succession - predictable changes that occur in a community over time.

19. Primary Succession:
On land, succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists.
The first species to populate the area are called pioneer species.
occurs on the surfaces formed as volcanic eruptions build new islands or cover the land with lava rock or volcanic ash.
occurs on bare rock exposed when glaciers melt.

20. Secondary Succession:
When a disturbance of some kind changes an existing community without removing the soil.
Land cleared for farming
Wildfires and other natural disasters.

21. Checkpoint!!!
What is the main abiotic factor that distinguishes primary from secondary succession?

22. Land Biomes Ten different biomes Tropical rain forest Tropical savanna
Tropical dry forest
Desert
Temperate grassland
Temperate Woodland & Shrubland
Temperate Forest
Northwestern coniferous forest
Boreal Forest
Tundra
A biome is a particular physical environment that contains a characteristic assemblage of plants and animals.
Characteristics:
Climate and Microclimate

23. Figure 4-17 The World’s Major Land Biomes
Tropical rain forest
Temperate grassland
Temperate forest
Tundra
Tropical dry forest
Desert
Northwestern
coniferous forest
Mountains and
ice caps
Tropical savanna
Temperate woodland
and shrubland
Boreal forest
(Taiga)

24. Terrestrial/land Biomes
Tundra
abiotic factors:
cold temp, Poor soil, low rain, long severe winters, permafrost
b. biotic factors: least diverse biome, lichens, mosses, small plants, polar bears, reindeer, caribou, arctic foxes, arctic hares
Climatograms- show annual precipitation & Temperature
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

25. Figure 20.25h Tundra

26. Major Biomes 2. Taiga (Boreal Forests) p. 104-climatogram &look at map
abiotic factors:
summers mild
winters long, snowy, cold
most spongy areas called bogs
Acidic soil
b. biotic factors:
evergreen trees, moose, bears, elk, wolves, porcupines, hares, bobcats
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

27. Taiga-Boreal Forest

28. 3. Temperate Deciduous forests
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?
WHERE WE LIVE!!!!
3. Temperate Deciduous forests
-climatogram & look at map
abiotic:
moderate rainfall
summer moderate
Winter cold
Rich soil
b. biotic: (lots of diversity)
deciduous trees
maples, elms, oaks,
shrubs, varied
animal life: squirrels, foxes, bears, wildcats, salamanders, snakes, lizards, rabbits, chipmunks

29. Figure 20.25f Temperate deciduous forest

30. p.102-climatogram & look at map
4. Temperate Grasslands
“The Prairies”
abiotic:
Moderate rain
central part of country
warm spring, scorching dry seasons,
winters can be snowy
biotic:
rich soil so lots of grasses- fires help
Treeless
wheat, oats, barley, corn,
bison, antelope, prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers
p.102-climatogram & look at map
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

31. Grasslands

32. Figure 50.25e Temperate grassland

33. 5. Temperate woodland/shrubland (aka) Chaparral
Pg climatogram & look at map
Abiotic:
mod. Rain
Rich soil
No trees
Biotic: shrubs, coyotes, mt. Lions, bobcats, deer, rabbits, squirrels
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

34. Figure 50.25d Chaparral

35. Figure 50.25dx Chaparral

36. 6. Tropical Savanna: special type of grassland a. Abiotic
warm all year
Clay soil
b. Biotic
Do have some trees
animals: zebra, antelopes, gazelles, elephants, wildebeest, giraffes
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

37. Figure 50.25b Savanna

38. Figure 50.25bx Savanna

39. Highest diversity here Trees in layers/zones
7. Tropical Rain forest
abiotic:
Lots of rain
hot temperature
Poor soil
b. biotic:
Highest diversity here
Trees in layers/zones
vines, ferns, large flowering trees, insects, birds, monkeys, snakes, lizards, jaguars, panthers
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

40. Figure 50.25a Tropical forests

41. 8. Tropical Dry forest abiotic: Mild temp Rich soil Rain seasonal
b. biotic:
Deciduous trees
Tigers
Monkeys
Elephants
rhinos
Pg. 100 climatogram & look at map
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

42. Moderate diversity-nocturnal animals Pg. 101 climatogram & look at map
9. Desert
abiotic:
Sandy
rainfall: less than 20 cm
hot, dry regions
Poor soil
b. biotic: cacti, insects, birds, iguanas, gila monsters, horned lizards, kangaroo rats, scorpions, spiders, snakes
Moderate diversity-nocturnal animals
Pg. 101 climatogram & look at map
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

43. Figure 50.25c Deserts

44. Northwestern Coniferous forest: (aka Temperate rain forest)
Abiotic:
High rain fall
Summer mild; winter cool
Soil is acidic & rocky
Biotic: redwoods, flowering shrubs, bears, elk, deer, beavers, owls, bobcats
Pg. 103 climatogram & look at map-Northern Pacific coast of U.S.
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

45. Figure 20.25g Coniferous forests

46. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS 1. Marine:
Abiotic: salt water, distribution of life dependent on water temperature and light
Biotic: plankton, starfish, whales, sharks, squid, rays
2. Freshwater:
Abiotic: lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, contain little salt, life distribution is dependent on dissolved oxygen content
Biotic: algae, catfish, carp, bass, trout, mosses, flowering lilies, frogs
What kinds of adaptations would the plants & animals of this biome have?

47. Aquatic Ecosystems: Determined primarily by the
Depth
Flow
Temperature
Chemistry of the underlying water
Grouped according to the abiotic factors that affect them

48. Figure 50.23 Examples of marine biomes

49. Freshwater Pond Ecosystem
Section 4-4
Spoonbill
Frogs lay eggs in the shallow
water near shore.The eggs
hatch in the water as tadpoles
and move to the land as adults.
The shore is lined with grasses
that provide shelter and nesting
places for birds and other
organisms.
The roots of water lilies
cling to the pond bottom,
while their leaves, on long
flexible stems, float on the
surface.
The bottom of the pond is
inhabited by decomposers and
other organisms that feed on
particles drifting down from the
Fish share the pond
with turtles and other
animals. Many of
them feed on insects
at the water’s edge.
Plankton and the organisms that
feed on them live near the surface
where there is enough sunlight for
photosynthesis. Microscopic algae
are among the most important
producers.
Duck
Water
lilies
Frog
Dragonfly
Mosquito
larvae
Duckweed
Phytoplankton
Snail
Pickerel
Diving
beetle
Trout
Hydra
Crayfish
Snail
Benthic
crustaceans
Go to Section:

50. Freshwater Ecosystems
Flowing-water ecosystems
Ex: rivers, streams, creeks, brooks.
Originate in mountains or hills, and often spring from an underground water source.
Standing water ecosystems
Ex: Lakes and ponds
H2O circulation helps distribute heat, oxygen, and nutrients.
Plankton, phytoplankton, and zooplankton

51. Freshwater Wetlands Three main types: Bogs Marshes Swamps
An ecosystem in which water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil for at least part of the year.
Water is either flowing or standing, and a mix of fresh and salt water.
Breeding grounds for insects, fish, and other aquatic animals, amphibians, and migratory birds.
Three main types:
Bogs
Marshes
Swamps

52. Freshwater Pond Ecosystem
Section 4-4
Spoonbill
Frogs lay eggs in the shallow
water near shore.The eggs
hatch in the water as tadpoles
and move to the land as adults.
The shore is lined with grasses
that provide shelter and nesting
places for birds and other
organisms.
The roots of water lilies
cling to the pond bottom,
while their leaves, on long
flexible stems, float on the
surface.
The bottom of the pond is
inhabited by decomposers and
other organisms that feed on
particles drifting down from the
Fish share the pond
with turtles and other
animals. Many of
them feed on insects
at the water’s edge.
Plankton and the organisms that
feed on them live near the surface
where there is enough sunlight for
photosynthesis. Microscopic algae
are among the most important
producers.
Duck
Water
lilies
Frog
Dragonfly
Mosquito
larvae
Duckweed
Phytoplankton
Snail
Pickerel
Diving
beetle
Trout
Hydra
Crayfish
Snail
Benthic
crustaceans
Go to Section:

53. Estuaries Wetlands formed where rivers meet the sea.
Mixture of fresh and salt water.
Affected by the rise and fall of ocean tides.
Many are shallow.
Estuary food webs differ:
Most primary production is not consumed by herbivores
Much of that organic material enters the food web as detritus
Spawning grounds for many fish and shellfish
Types:
Salt marshes = temperate zone estuaries that are dominated by salt-tolerant grasses above the low-tide line, and by seagrasses under water.
Mangrove swamps = coastal wetlands that are widespread across tropical regions.
Salt-tolerant trees (mangroves)
Spawning grounds
Ex: Florida’s Everglades National Park

54. Marine Ecosystems Classified by photic and aphotic zones.
Oceans are divided into zones based on the depth an distance from shore
Each zone supports distinct ecological communities.
Intertidal zone
Coastal ocean
Open ocean
Benthic zone ???

55. Intertidal Zone: Coastal Ocean:
Characterized by all areas exposed to fluctuations in tidal height.
Different types of communities.
One type of wetland
Specialized vegetation
Coastal Ocean:
Extends from the low-tide mark to the outer edge of the continental shelf
Rich in plankton
Coral Reefs = animals whose hard, calcium carbonate skeletons make up their primary structure.
Coral animals live in symbiosis with algae that lives in the coral reef.

56. Benthic Zone: Open Ocean: The seafloor
Characterized by communitites of invertebrates and fish
May include photosynthetic organisms (depending on depth)
Open Ocean:
Includes all the water and is a major habitat for phytoplankton and zooplankton, and highly motile marine invertebrates, fish, and mammals.
Aphotic & photic zones

57. Figure 4-17 Zones of a Marine Ecosystem
Section 4-4
land
Photic zone
200m
Coastal
ocean
1000m
Open
ocean
4000m
Aphotic zone
6000m
Ocean
trench
10,000m
Continental
shelf
Continental slope and
continental rise
Abyssal
plain
Go to Section:

58. Checkpoint!!!
 How might the damming of a river affect an estuary at the river’s mouth?
In general, temperature is an important abiotic factor shaping biomes on land, but it is less important in the ocean. In the ocean, light is an important abiotic factor, but it is less important on land. Explain why these factors differ in importance on land and in the sea.