1. Population Dynamics Unit 1: Ecology SB4: Assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within their ecosystems. Element c: Relate environmental conditions to successional changes in ecosystems Element d: Assess and explain how human activities influence the environment Essential Question (s): 1). What are the costs and benefits of building a Wal-Mart closer to a residential area? 2). What would happen to the schools’ baseball field if left undisturbed?

2. How does an ecosystem work? An ecosystem supports diverse communities. The number of species living within an ecosystem is a measure of its biodiversity. The number and variety of organisms found within a specific geographic region. An ecosystem changes over time. Species replacement is characterized by an ecological succession in which one community slowly replaces another as the environment changes. There are two types of succession: 1.Primary which is the colonization of new land that is exposed by avalanches, volcanoes, or glaciers, 2.Secondary, which refers to the sequence of community changes that take place after a community is disrupted by natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, etc) or human actions.

3. Reintroduction of Organisms The first organisms to inhabit an area are called pioneer species (lichen). The 2 nd group of organisms to inhabit the area are bacteria, protists, mosses, and fungi The 3 rd group include insects & arthropods The 4 th group include grasses, herbs, shrubs, & trees http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0qdWoLdk 1c

4. Checkpoint #1 Q: What are the 2 types of succession? A :Primary and secondary Q: The first group of species to inhabit an area are _________ example_____. A: Pioneer species example lichen Q: What are the last group of species to inhabit an area? A: trees and grass

5. How is Population Growth Predicted? K = carrying capacity refers to the number of organisms of one species an environment can support. Exponential Growth (aka “J-shaped” curve) occurs when population growth starts slow then increases rapidly. Logistic Growth (aka “S-shaped” curve) occurs when population growth reaches its carrying capacity due to limiting factors and levels off.

7. A Limiting Factor is any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms Limiting Factors 2-Main Categories Density-dependent Only become limiting when a population reaches a certain size Factors: competition, disease, predation Density-independent Limiting no matter the size of the population Factors: weather, natural disasters, seasonal cycles

8. Checkpoint #2 1.An active volcano under the ocean erupts, and the build-up of cooled lava eventually forms a new island. What type of succession will immediately occur on the newly formed island? A. primary successionC. both primary & secondary B. secondary succession D. no succession 2. A lack of food prevents further growth in a deer population. This is an example of a A. range of toleranceC. phonic zone B. limiting factorD. biome 3. When populations increase, resource depletion may result in A. exponential growthC. competition B. straight-line growthD. increase in predators

9. Continued… 4. Type of population growth that reaches carrying capacity is called________. A. demography C. logistic B. exponential D. j- shaped 5. An example of a density dependent factor is __________. A. disease C. weather B. natural disaster D. seasonal cycles 6. An example of a pioneer specie would be_______. A. pine trees C. maple trees B. lichen D. shrub