1. Ecology Ecology- Science of the interactions between organisms and their environment

2. Principles of Energy Energy- The ability to do work Matter- Everything that takes up space and has mass –Conservation of matter: matter can be transformed, but never destroyed Thermodynamics- Study of how energy is transferred

3. Laws of Thermodynamics First Law- Energy is conserved –Energy cannot be destroyed, only moved around Second Law- With each transfer of energy, less energy is available for work –Entropy: all natural systems move from a state of order to one of disorder

4. Energy and Ecosystems Ecosystem- Organisms interacting with environment and each other through a food chain Biomass: Matter contained in living organisms. Represents both matter and energy Energy moves through ecosystems while matter is cycled.

5. Biomass

6. Photosynthesis and Respiration Photosynthesis: Producers (plants) use sunlight to build biomass out of water, CO 2,, and nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, phosphate) –Used for growth, reproduction and energy storage Respiration: Consumers (animals) break down biomass to release energy –Used for growth and reproduction

8. Decomposers and Detritivores Decomposers break down non-living matter and release nutrients that can be used by plants to make biomass –Ex: Fungi, bacteria Detritivores eat the waste productsor dead bodies of other organisms –Ex: Worms

9. Decomposers and Detritivores

10. Food Chains Food Chain- Energy and matter move from one organism to another as each eats a lower member and, in turn, is eaten by a higher member

12. Trophic Levels Each ‘link’ in the food chain is called a trophic level. (troph means food) –1 st =Primary Producer Ex: plants, algae –2 nd = Primary Consumer Ex: Grazer, herbivores –3 rd = Secondary Consumer Ex: Carnivores –4 th = Tertiary Consumer, etc… At each level, detrivores and decomposers are turning biomass into nutrients

14. Because organisms consume at various trophic levels, it is really more like a web, not a chain. Food Web

16. Ecological Efficiency and Ecological Pyramids About 90% of biomass is lost when transferred from between trophic levels –Ecological efficiency= 10% As trophic levels increase, biomass decreases –Why there are more squirrels than wolves in the world

17. Ecological Pyramid 2° Consumers 3° Cons. 1000 g Biomass 100 g 10 g 1 g Primary Producers Primary Consumers

20. Biogeochemical Cycles Hydrological Cycle: the path of water through the environment Carbon Cycle: carbon is used to make all biomass. It is a structure component for molecules and also stores energy

21. Hydrological Cycle

22. Carbon Cycle