1. Ecology Interactions Between Organisms and their Environments

2. Lesson #1: Living and non-living parts of an Ecosystem Objectives – Identify abiotic and biotic factors in a given description of an ecosystem interaction – Generate an example relationship using abiotic and biotic factors – Determine if a solution is acidic, basic, or neutral given its pH – Set-up an experiment to test the effect of pH on the sprouting of a lima bean Develop hypothesis, procedure

3. Key Vocabulary to Define Ecosystem Abiotic Biotic pH Acidic Basic Neutral

4. The organization of our world! The earth is a biosphere Ecosystems are the living and nonliving things in an area Populations are a group of one type of organism living in an area

5. Hierarchy of Biology Molecules Organelles Cells Tissues Organs Organ systems Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems

6. What is ecology? Ecology: The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment Example problems that ecology handles: – How do humans affect the atmosphere and contribute to global warming? – How does the population of wolves in an area affect the population of rabbits? – Do clownfish (Nemo!) and anemone benefit each other?

7. Why does ecology matter? Ecology: The study of the relationship between organisms and their environment Scenario: Imagine that there is an insect that lives on peanut plants growing on farms in Northampton County. Is there a way that we can limit insect damage to the peanut crops in order to decrease the price of peanuts at the store by 20 cents per pound?

8. How do we study environments? Quadrant Studies: Tracking changes in a small section of the environment

9. How do we study environments? Sampling: Only measuring a small, random part of an environment

10. Ecosystems Ecosystem: An area containing an interaction of living and non-living factors in an area/region Example ecosystems: – North Carolina forests (pine forests) – Coastal Plains of NC – Outer banks coastal water ecosystem – Lake Gaston ecosystem

14. What is in an Ecosystem? Abiotic Factors: The non-living parts of an ecosystem – Rocks, soil, temperature, gases in the air, light Biotic Factors: The living parts of an ecosystem – Plants, animals, bacteria, fungus Producers: use light to make their own energy Consumers: eat other organisms to obtain energy Decomposers: break down dead organisms for energy

15. Biotic Humans Bacteria Fungus Plants Insects Amphibians Reptiles Mammals Birds Abiotic Water Soil Wind or Air Gases – oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen Temperature Sunlight pH – Acid or base

16. Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic (plant) Abiotic (rainwater)

17. Abiotic or Biotic? The air temperature is 45 degrees F = The soil is made of rocks and minerals = A bird lays eggs = Bacteria break down dead organisms = The pH or the water is 2 (acidic) =abiotic abiotic abiotic biotic biotic

18. Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic Abiotic

19. Which of the following is a relationship between abiotic and biotic factors? A) The rain on an open field washes away soil B) A hawk hunts a mouse and swoops down into the forest for the kill C) A lake has very acidic water which causes many fish populations to die D) A deer grazes in a field of grasses Abiotic Biotic

20. Energy Transfer in an Ecosystem NCSCOS 5.02b

21. Food Chains A food chain shows the flow of energy between the organisms in an environment

22. Food Chains Notice that the arrow points from the organism being eaten to the organism that eats it. – Like the burger you eat goes into you Plants  Cow (burger)  Human

23. What do the arrows in the food chain below indicate? A.Sunlight B.Energy flow C.Heat transfer D.Toxins

24. What is energy? The energy that is transferred in an ecosystem is stored in carbon-compounds, or organic compounds. – Organic compounds: molecules that contain a carbon atom Carbohydrates: glucose, starch, cellulose (mostly plants) Proteins: the muscles of animals (steak!) Fats: in muscle of animal tissues (fatty steak!)

25. Food Webs When we put many food chains together in one ecosystem, it is called a food web

26. Food Webs Food webs show the direction that energy flows in an ecosystem.

27. Energy Moves in a Food Web Plants make glucose from light Some animals get glucose from plants Other animals get energy from the fat and protein in other animals

28. Parts of a Food Web Producers: organisms that use light to store energy in organic compounds. – (examples: plants, algae, phytoplankton)

29. Parts of a Food Web Where are the producers in the food web below?

30. Parts of a Food Web Consumers: organisms that eat other organisms to get organic compounds that they use for energy – (examples: humans, cows, insects, birds…)

31. Parts of a Food Web Where are the consumers in the food web below?

32. Parts of a Food Web Tertiary consumers: organisms that eat secondary consumers for energy Secondary consumers: organisms that eat primary consumers for energy Primary consumers: organisms that eat producers to obtain energy compounds

33. Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer

34. How is energy stored and transferred in an ecosystem? A.In light B.In oxygen and carbon dioxide C.In carbon compounds like glucose D.In the process of decomposition

35. Which of the following organisms is a primary consumer in the ecosystem shown? A.Hawk B.Rabbit C.Mountain lion D.Frog

36. Population Impacts in a Food Web If the population of organisms at any level of the food web changes, it will affect the population at other levels

37. Population Impacts in a Food Web If the population of producers decreases, then the population of primary consumers will decrease if they don’t have enough food.

38. Population Impacts in a Food Web If the population of primary consumers decreases, then… – The producers will increase because there are less consumers eating them – The secondary consumers will decrease because there is less food for them

39. Which organism would be most affected if the cricket population decreased? A.Snake B.Deer C.Frog D.Hawk

40. Energy Pyramids Energy Pyramids show the amount of energy at each level of a food web – Trophic Level: the total amount of energy in all organisms at one level in the food web.

41. Energy Pyramids More energy at the bottom, decreases as the pyramid moves up the food web More Energy Less Energy

42. Energy Pyramid Labels Producers Tertiary Consumers Primary Consumers Secondary Consumers

43. Energy Transfer in Energy Pyramids Each trophic level of the energy pyramid supplies energy to the level above it. Each transfer loses 90% of the energy Only 10% of the energy at a level is passed to the next level up!

44. Energy Transfer (percents) 100% 0.1% 10% 1%

45. Energy Transfer (calories) 1,000 calories 1 calorie 100 calories 10 calories

46. Energy Transfer in Energy Pyramids We can say that the energy transfer from level to level is inefficient – (not a lot of the energy at each level makes it up) This means that there can’t be many levels ina food web or pyramid – The amount of energy decreases, and it cannot typically support organisms at higher levels than tertiary consumer

47. Why are there a limited number of energy levels in an energy pyramid or food web? A.Energy transfer is very efficient B.Energy is captured as heat C.Energy transfer is inefficient D.Energy is not transferred in a food web

48. Energy Transfer and Flow NCSCOS 5.02a, 2.05bc

49. How does energy enter the food web?

50. Better question… where does the weight of a producer come from? How does this... become this?

51. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis: a toxin process that occurs in producers and converts light, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

52. Carbon Dioxide Water GlucoseOxygenSunlight

53. More Photosynthesis a.Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the air. b.The carbon dioxide in the air is the building block for glucose. c.The light energy helps bond CO 2 and H 2 O together to make glucose.

54. The energy in light is now stored in the glucose molecule

55. Light CO 2 H 2 O GlucoseO2O2 Starch Fat (nuts)

56. How do consumers get energy? Digestion of organic molecules – Consumers eat other organisms to obtain organic molecules, which are forms of stored energy. – Energy is stored in the bonds of the molecules.

57. The Carbon Cycle NCSCOS 5.02a

58. Carbon Cycle Carbon is found throughout the environment – Carbon is found in the atmosphere and in water as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) – Carbon is found in organisms as organic molecules, like glucose (sugars) and fats – Carbon is found buried in the ground as fossil fuels

59. Carbon Cycle Carbon is cycled, or moves 1)Atmosphere: Carbon is in the form of CO 2

60. CO 2

61. Carbon Cycle 2) Producers: Use photosynthesis to make sugars from CO 2 in the atmosphere (carbon is moved!)

62. C 6 H 12 O 6

63. Carbon Cycle 3) Consumers: Eat organic molecules and release CO 2 into the atmosphere during respiration, or die and go into the soil

64. CO 2

66. Carbon Cycle 4) Soil: decomposers break down organisms, releasing carbon into the atmosphere OR trapping it in the ground (fossils)

68. Carbon Cycle 5) Fossil Fuels: carbon from some dead organisms are trapped as fossil fuel until we burn it

70. Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming Greenhouse Effect Heat is trapped near the Earth’s surface because once light gets in, it warms the surface but cannot escape out of the atmosphere. – It is trapped by the gases in the atmosphere, like CO 2

73. Global Warming The Earth has been warming on average. Could be due to increased CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere, which enhances the greenhouse effect and traps extra heat.

74. Global Warming Excess CO 2  Enhanced  Global Warming Greenhouse Effect

76. Relationships in an Ecosystem NCSCOS 5.01

77. Symbiosis Symbiosis: a long-term relationship between two organisms in an ecosystem.

78. Types of Symbiosis Mutualism: both organisms benefit from their relationship Commensalism: one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected Parasitism: one organisms benefits, and the other is harmed

79. Symbiosis Summary Relationship Type Species ASpecies B Mutualism ++ Commensalism +0 Parasitism +-

80. Name That Symbiosis Leeches feed off of the lamprey below, and eventually cause it to die.

81. Name That Symbiosis A clown fish lives among the sea anemone. The clown fish gains protection, but the anemone is neither harmed nor helped.

82. Name That Symbiosis Ox-peckers live on the heads of the ox, eating insects and keeping the ox clean. The birds also get a place to live.

83. Example: The Malaria Parasite Species: Plasmodium Vivax Organism: Protist Disease: Malaria, which is prevalent in Africa

85. A.Plasmodium Vivax is a one-celled organism that is transmitted to humans through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito B.It enters liver cells and begins to reproduce C.The reproductive cells infect blood cells. D.Which causes them to lyse or burst. E.The reproductive cells can be picked up by another mosquito, where they reproduce (G) and are transmitted to another human (H)

86. Population Growth and Overpopulation NCSCOS 5.03

87. Populations Population: the number of organism from one species that live in a specific area – Examples: the human population in different cities, the squirrel population in a forest, the grass population in a meadow

88. Populations Populations are affected by many resources. These include: – The amount of food available in an area – The amount of sunlight (if it is a plant population) – The amount of water – The competition for food/shelter – The predators in an area

89. Population Growth Graphs A: Slow growth as a population begins to grow Birth Rate > Death Rate

90. Population Growth Graphs B: Exponential growth as population grows rapidly Birth Rate > Death Rate

91. Population Growth Graphs C: Slow-down of growth as population maxes out its resources, like food, water, or light Birth Rate > Death Rate

92. Population Growth Graphs D: Population reaches the maximum number supported by environment, the carrying capacity Birth Rate = Death Rate

93. Carrying Capacity Carrying Capacity: the maximum number of organisms in a population that are supported by the environment

94. Population Growth Graphs Carrying Capacity Reaching Limit of Resources Exponential Growth, no limiting resources

95. Carrying Capacity Populations are typically limited by resources – They reach carrying capacity when there aren't enough resources to keep growing. – Birth Rate = Death Rate. – Logistic Growth!

96. Unlimited Growth If there are no limiting resources, populations grow exponentially. Birth Rate > Death Rate

97. Decline If population birth rate < death rate, the population will go down!

98. Which of the following graphs shows a population that is free of limiting factors?

99. Which of the following graphs shows a population that has reached carrying capacity?

100. How would a scientists determine the growth rate of a population? A.Birth Rate + Death Rate B.Birth Rate – Death Rate C.Birth Rate x Death Rate D.Birth Rate / Death Rate Click To Go Back and Analyze The Graphs In Terms of Birth And Death Rates (with the class)

101. What statement best describes the population shown in the graph below? A.Birth rate = Death rate B.Birth rate < Death rate C.Birth rate > Death rate D.Birth rate = 0

102. What statement best describes the population shown in the graph below at time “t”? A.Birth rate = Death rate B.Birth rate < Death rate C.Birth rate > Death rate D.Birth rate = 0

104. Predator vs Prey Predator and Prey populations can affect one another 1.As prey increases, predator will increase in response 2.As predators increase, prey will decrease 3.As prey decrease, predators will decrease

106. POPULATION TASK 1)What are the effects of an overpopulation of deer? Why is it a problem? 2)What are some natural ways to control the deer population 3)What are some ways that humans can help control the deer population?

107. Human Population and Impact NC SCOS 5.03

108. Objectives We can analyze the growth patterns of the human population We can explain the impacts of deforestation, pollution, and resource overuse on the environment We can inform the public about the dangers of human impacts and how to avoid resource overuse

109. Human Population Human population is currently about 6.8 billion – Human population growth has been exponential

111. Population Pyramid Graphs Developing countries tend to have high growth rates, whereas developed countries tend to have stable growth. – Population age distribution Larger at the bottom = more future growth Equal at each age = stable growth or even decline

112. Population age distribution Population age distribution Larger at the bottom = more future growth Larger at the bottom = more future growth Equal at each age = stable growth or even decline Equal at each age = stable growth or even decline

114. Overpopulation: The Bad The problems with overpopulation include abuse of resources: – Deforestation – Fossil Fuel Overuse – Freshwater Overuse – Pollution – Lack of adequate food – Non-native species

115. Deforestation Cutting down forests leads to a loss of biodiversity: not as many different species in an area – Can affect local food webs, other species, and even medicine!

118. Fossil Fuel Overuse Burning Fossil Fuels Excess CO2 in the air, traps heat Greenhouse effect enhancedGlobal warming

119. Freshwater Overuse Poor water quality, not enough freshwater in areas of need Polluted runoff from factories

121. Pollution Acid rain: – Sulfur and nitrogen gases released from factories into the air – Sulfur dioxide: SO 2 – Falls in rain drops, slowly impacts pH of water, soil, etc.

123. Pollution Ozone Layer Destruction – CFCs: chlorofluorocarbons – released into the air through old refrigerator and spray cans, destroy ozone layer. – Low ozone leads to high UV radiation – UV radiation: can cause skin cancer through mutation

125. Why you should wear sunblock!

126. Food Lack of food sources Most important in poor, developing countries

127. Introducing Non-native species Putting species into new ecosystems that aren’t supposed to be there – The introduced species generally outcompete, or do better, than the native species. – Example: pythons in the everglades.

130. What Can We Do? Use renewable resources for energy – Water, wind, solar, and geothermal energy

131. What Can We Do? Reduce carbon dioxide emissions Reduce water waste Investigate factories and their pollution levels Increase public awareness of the issues

132. What Can We Do? Promote sustainable practices – Using renewable energy, rotating crops, avoiding pesticides and toxins, making sure we keep fishing populations high, conserve resources

133. Bioaccumulation NC SCOS 5.03, 5.02b

134. Quick Vocabulary Autotroph: makes its own energy, a producer Heterotroph: gets its energy from somewhere else, a consumer

136. Quick Vocabulary Accumulate: to gain over time

137. Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation: the buildup of toxins in top consumers after eating many smaller organisms in a food web – Also called biomagnification or bioamplification

138. Bioaccumulation Imagine that a toxin, a pesticide, was sprayed on the grass in the food web below. It cannot be released by the plant and is always stored.

139. http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/print/index/publications/press_articles/beef_and_sheep/archive-10/grass-attack.htm

140. Bioacummulation Each level of organisms above the grass in the food web will accumulate more and more of the toxin because they eat so much of the level below them For example, the mouse eats a large amount of grass, and stores all of the toxins in its body. Then the snake eats many mice, storing all of their toxins. Finally the hawk eats many snakes and stores all of their toxins in its body

141. Bioaccumulation Eats 1,000 grasses =.001g Eats 100 mice =.1g Eats 10 snakes= 1g 1 grass has 0.000001g

142. Bioaccumulation More toxin, concentrated Even more toxin Highest toxin levels Lots of toxin, spread out

143. Why is biomagnification a problem? What do you think? – Depends on the type of toxin – If the toxin is toxic, it might cause problems with the functions of an organism Impairs reproduction Kills off members of a species Prevents organisms from reproducing

144. What happens to the food web? What do you think? – Decreased top consumers means more low level consumers – More low level consumers means increased amounts of the toxic toxin! – The top level consumers don’t stand a chance! Are we top level consumers? Can this happen to us?