1. INTRODUCTION TO ECOLOGY BIOLOGY CHAPTER 3-1 UNIT CH 3 THROUGH CH 6

2. ECOLOGY The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

4. ORGANISM A living creature (Bufo americanus)

5. POPULATION A group of organisms that live together  same species: geese (Branta canadensis)

6. COMMUNITY Groups of Populations  Different species living together  Zebra, lions, elephants

7. ECOSYSTEM Self sustaining collection of organisms  Biotic factors: Living components  Abiotic factors: Nonliving components

8. HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS Diversity  More diverse = More Stable the environment  Every animal has a specific role (Niche)

9. UNHEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS Little or no diversity  Ecosystem is more susceptible to diseases  No organisms left to use or appreciate

10. HOW DO WE GET DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS? Sun provides energy to Earth  Equator: direct sunlight  Poles: low angle of sunlight

11. HOW DO WE GET DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS? Tilt of the Earth creates seasons

12. BIOMES Broad geographic regions  Characterized by climate & major vegetation  Aquatic Biomes: 75% of Earth  Terrestrial Biomes: 25% of Earth

13. TROPICAL RAINFOREST Equatorial regions 200-400 cm rain/year 25-29 ° C Species diversity extremely high

14. DESERT Near 30 ° N and S latitude Less than 30 ° cm rain/year Wide fluctuations in temperature Many species nocturnal

15. SAVANNA Equatorial regions Rainfall is seasonal 24-29 ° C Primarily grassland

16. CHAPPARAL Mid-latitude coasts Rainfall is seasonal Moderate year round weather High diversity of amphibians

17. TEMPERATE GRASSLAND Central North America 30-70cm rain/year (droughts common) Cold winters, Hot summers Historical IL Biome

18. CONIFEROUS FOREST Taiga Northern hemisphere 30-70cm rain/year Cold long winters Short warm summers Cone-bearing trees

19. TEMPERATE BROADLEAF FOREST Deciduous Forest Mid-latitudes of Northern Hemisphere 70-200cm rain/year Average winters, hot humid summers

20. TUNDRA Northern hemisphere 60cm precipitation/year Winters are long cold, summers short cool 20% of terrestrial surface