1. Unit 2: Ecology and Population Biology

2. Ecology: The Study of Living Organisms and their Environments

3. Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Biosphere: The areas of the Earth which support life. Contains all the life on Earth.
Ecosystem: The organisms living in an area, as well as their environment
Biotic Factors: Living components of an ecosystem:
Bacteria, Plants, Animals, Decaying matter
Abiotic Factors: Non-Living components of an ecosystem:
Water, minerals, weather, light, toxins
Which set of factors will define the type of ecosystem?

4. Levels of Organization:
Population: The number of a single species living in an area.
Community: All the populations of all species living in an ecosystem

5. What is the Primary Energy Source of all life?
L.8.C.1 Students know how matter and energy are transferred through food webs in an ecosystem.
The Sun!!!
All green plants use sunlight to create food. This is the first trophic level. Plants are PRODUCERS

6. Photosynthesis H20 + CO2 = C6H12O6 + O2
Water + Carbon Dioxide = Glucose + Oxygen
Why are most leaves broad, flat, and thin?

7. Photosynthesis is the Basis of the…….
L.8.C.2 Students know how to characterize organisms in any ecosystem by their functions

8. Trophic Levels Producer : Creates its own food
L.8.C.2 Students know how to characterize organisms in any ecosystem by their functions
Producer : Creates its own food
Primary Consumer: Eats Producers Only
Secondary Consumer: Eats Primary Consumers and/or Producers
Tertiary Consumers: Eats Secondary Consumers, Primary Consumers, and Producers.
Decomposers: Eats dead organic materials, providing nutrients for the producers.

9. The Food Web
The Complex relationship between all producers and consumers in called “The Food Web”
L.8.C.1 Students know how matter and energy are transferred through food webs in an ecosystem.

10. Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together
Mutualism- Both animals benefit from the relationship.
Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

11. Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together
Commensalism – One organism benefits, and the other is unaffected
Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

12. Symbiosis-Two Organisms living together
Parasitism- One organism benefits while the other is harmed
Describe symbiotic relationships within an ecosystem. (L.8.C.2)

13. Earth’s Energy Source
Only % of the Light from the Sun reaches the Earth.
30% is reflected back into space
51% absorbed by land and water
18% absorbed by atmosphere and clouds
So how much does that leave for life????
Only .027% of the sunlight that reaches Earth enters the food chain!!!!!

14. Most of the Sunlight that reaches Earth is absorbed by the……..
This is the first step in the Water Cycle

15. The Water Cycle
Watch this epic animation

16. Other Cycles in Nature……
The Nitrogen Cycle
Interaction between decomposers, plants, and the atmosphere
The Carbon Cycle
Dead plants and animals become raw carbon for other organisms to use
Food
Fossil Fuels
Atmospheric CO2
Component of Climate Change
Earth goes through climatic cycles as well

17. Energy Flow Transfer of energy is usually very inefficient
2nd Law of Thermodynamics…..Energy Seeks its Lowest State!
Lost to heat (useless unless re-harnessed)
Lost to friction (which becomes heat)
As energy is transferred from system to system, more and more of it is lost

18. The same LAW holds true in the food chain
Sunlight strikes a blade of grass……
Most of it is reflected back
Absorbed and becomes heat
Small portion of it used for photosynthesis
How much grass does a cow have to each every day to survive??
Only a tiny amount of the plant contains useful energy
Cows have to eat most of the day to take in enough energy to survive
If a cow eats and grows for 5 years, how much sunlight energy has gone into producing a T-Bone steak?
How long would a single cow keep a person alive?
Maybe 6 months?
Huge amounts of solar energy are required to sustain life on Earth due to this incredible energy loss!

19. Biomes of the World

20. Tundra

21. Temperate Forest

22. Desert

23. Rain Forest

24. Aquatic Ecosystems: Saltwater

25. Aquatic Ecosystems: Freshwater

26. Activity – A Drop of Sunshine
Each group will be assigned a BIOME
You will trace the path of a photon from a beam of sunlight up through the food chain
The path of the photon will be dependent upon the nature of your Biome!
Make it a fun story!