1. The Scope of Ecology Chapter 34

2. What is ecology? Ecology- the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments, focusing on energy transfer It is a science of relationships. Oikos- greek for “ house ”

3. Ecology is primarily a descriptive science but is becoming more experimental

4. 1. very difficult to control experiments 2. some research done in laboratories 3. most done in the field

5. What do you mean by environment? The environment is made up of two factors: Biotic factors- all living organisms inhabiting the Earth Abiotic factors- nonliving parts of the environment (i.e. temperature, soil, light, moisture, air currents)

6. Interaction interaction includes how the environment affects the organism and how the organism can alter the environment interaction includes how the environment affects the organism and how the organism can alter the environment

7. Interaction 1. photosynthetic organisms use sunlight (abiotic factor) and produce oxygen as a bi-product which is used by organisms for cellular respiration 1. photosynthetic organisms use sunlight (abiotic factor) and produce oxygen as a bi-product which is used by organisms for cellular respiration

8. Interaction 2. shading of the forest floor by trees can make the environment less suitable for their offspring to grow, yet more suitable for other organisms 2. shading of the forest floor by trees can make the environment less suitable for their offspring to grow, yet more suitable for other organisms

9. Levels of Ecology ecological research ranges from studying adaptations of organisms to the dynamics of ecosystems ecological research ranges from studying adaptations of organisms to the dynamics of ecosystems

10. Organism- any unicellular or multicellular form exhibiting all of the characteristics of life, an individual. Organism The lowest level of organization

11. 1. organismal ecology – study of the way organisms meet the challenges of abiotic environmental factors 1. organismal ecology – study of the way organisms meet the challenges of abiotic environmental factors e.g., reptiles retreat to shaded areas to maintain body temperature e.g., reptiles retreat to shaded areas to maintain body temperature

12. Population-a group of organisms of one species living in the same place at the same time that interbreed and compete with each other for resources (ex. food, mates, shelter) Population

13. 2. population ecology – study of populations and interaction with environment e.g., what environmental factors affect population size and composition?

14. Community- several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment and are interdependent. Community

15. 3. community ecology – study of all organisms that inhabit an area 3. community ecology – study of all organisms that inhabit an area e.g., study of predator – prey relationships, competition, disease e.g., study of predator – prey relationships, competition, disease

16. 4. ecosystem ecology – study of all abiotic factors as well as all organisms in an area 4. ecosystem ecology – study of all abiotic factors as well as all organisms in an area e.g., study of energy flow and chemical cycling among the biotic and abiotic components e.g., study of energy flow and chemical cycling among the biotic and abiotic components

17. Biosphere- life supporting portions of Earth composed of air, land, fresh water, and salt water. Biosphere The highest level of organization

18. 5. Biosphere ecology – studying the global system of living things e.g. humans effect on the ozone layer or climate change

19. Organism Population Community Biosphere Ecosystem

20. Abiotic factors Abiotic factors temperature 1. most organisms are NOT able to regulate their body temperature; i.e., they’re ectothermic as apposed to endothermic 2. temperature has a tremendous affect on metabolism 3. even endotherms function best within a temperature range

21. Abiotic factors Abiotic factors water 1. essential for life 2. poses osmotic challenges for organisms

22. Abiotic factors Abiotic factors wind amplifies the effects of temperature by increasing heat loss and evaporation

23. Abiotic factors Abiotic factors

24. Climate Weather over a long period of time most important components – Precipitation – Temperature – Wind

25. Convection Heat transfer in a fluid (liquid or gas) Heat rises The current formed is a Convection Cell

28. Desert Latitude 30 degrees N or S Cool dry falling air limits precipitation

30. Rain-Shadow Effect

31. Rain Shadow Effect Air flowing over mountain ranges rises and cools, losing moisture Climate is much dryer on the backside of the mountain range

32. Coriolis Effect Coriolis effect is the apparent curvature of global winds, ocean currents, and everything else that moves freely across the Earth's surface.

40. Northern Hemisphere- everything turns right causing counterclockwise rotation of weather systems

42. Polar Easterlies Westerlies Northeast Tradewinds

43. Seasons Seasons are caused by the Earth ’ s tilt on its axis

45. Terrestrial Biomes

46. Biome- geographic areas that have similar climates and ecosystems

47. Terrestrial Biomes The most common biomes are: Tundra Taiga Temperate Deciduous Forest Tropical Rain Forest Grassland Savanna Desert

49. Terrestrial biomes Tundra is located in areas where temperatures minimize plant growth but not covered completely with ice

50. Tundra Found in parts of Canada, Alaska, and Siberia

51. Tundra – “ The Cold Desert ” Found at latitudes around the North Pole Less than 25 cm precipitation yearly Very cold year round (-40ºC in winter) Cold, dry, treeless region

52. Tundra – “ The Land of the Midnight Sun ” Winter lasts 6 to 9 months with no daylight Summer is short and cold with 24 hours of sunlight a day

53. Tundra- Soil is poor Permafrost – Layer of permanently frozen soil

54. Plants of the Tundra Tundra plants are resistant to drought and cold

55. Plants of the Tundra Reindeer moss – It ’ s a lichen!

56. Plants of the Tundra Lichens

57. Plants of the Tundra Lichen

58. Plants of the Tundra True Mosses

59. Plants of the Tundra Small shrubs and flowers

60. Plants of the Tundra Small shrubs and flowers

61. Plants of the Tundra Small shrubs and flowers

62. Plants of the Tundra Grasses

63. Animals of the Tundra Many animals of the tundra migrate there during the short summer

64. Animals of the Tundra Biting insects Mosquito Blackfly

65. Animals of the Tundra Snowy owl

66. Animals of the Tundra Arctic hare

67. Animals of the Tundra Caribou – “ Reindeer ”

68. Animals of the Tundra Musk oxen

69. Animals of the Tundra Lemmings

70. Animals of the Tundra Lemmings