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travismulthaupt.com Chapter 50 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
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travismulthaupt.com Ecology Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Ecology and evolution are closely related.
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travismulthaupt.com Ecology and Evolution Darwin made many observations regarding the distribution of organisms and their adaptations. He asserted that evolutionary change could result from interactions between organisms and their environment.
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travismulthaupt.com Biogeography When Wallace, Darwin, and other naturalists began identifying distribution patterns of organisms based on biogeographical realms, the science of biogeography took off. The various flora and fauna are found within the major biogeographical realms. Additionally, they are associated with patterns of continental drift.
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travismulthaupt.com Biogeographical Realms These realms were identified as being major barriers that have impeded the free flow of organisms. They represent major barriers such as deserts and mountain ranges Continental drift has played a major role in their formation.
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Biogeography Dispersal is the movement of organisms throughout the biosphere. Movement of organisms from a highly populated region throughout the globe contributes to the global diversity of organisms. To study this movement, scientists have developed a flow chart to examine dispersal and distribution.
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travismulthaupt.com The Flow-Chart The analysis of the flow chart analyzes the answers to the following questions: 1. Does dispersal limit distribution? 2. Does behavior limit distribution? 3. Do biotic factors limit distribution? 4. Do abiotic factors limit distribution?
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travismulthaupt.com 1. Does Dispersal Limit Distribution? How do animals expand their natural range? What factors govern these dispersal and distribution patterns?
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travismulthaupt.com 2. Does Behavior Limit Distribution? This is the least understood question. How does an animal’s behavior and its interaction with the environment influence the habitat selection?
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travismulthaupt.com 3. Do Biotic Factors Limit Distribution? Is the distribution of species governed by interactions with other species-- parasites, predators, disease, and competitors?
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travismulthaupt.com 4. Do Abiotic Factors Limit Distribution? Abiotic factors govern many distribution patterns--the amount of temperature, water, sunlight, and wind--the major components of climate.
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travismulthaupt.com An Organism’s Environment Any organism’s environment includes both biotic and abiotic components. Biotic-include all living organisms in the environment. Abiotic-all non-living portions of the environment. Questions regarding the influence of these environmental variables is at the heart of many ecological studies.
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travismulthaupt.com Common Ecological Questions: These deal with distribution and abundance. More specifically: 1. Where do the organisms live? 2. Why do they live there? 3. And how many are there? Examining these patterns are difficult because of the influence of biotic and abiotic factors.
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travismulthaupt.com Ecology Vs. Environmentalism It is important not to get these terms confused. Ecology studies organisms and their interaction with the environment. Environmentalism seeks to use ecological studies for the advocacy and protection of the environment.
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travismulthaupt.com Climate To understand the environment, you need to understand not only the organisms, but the climate as well. Climate can be discussed on two scales: 1. Macroclimate 2. Microclimate
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travismulthaupt.com 1. Macroclimate Climate patterns on the global, regional, and local level are referred to as macroclimate.
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travismulthaupt.com 2. Microclimate The microclimate refers to the very fine, small-scale patterns encountered on the local level such as underneath a fallen log.
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travismulthaupt.com Global Climate Global climate patterns are determined largely by the input of solar energy and to the planet’s movement through space. This influences the temperature of air, land, and water. These cycles influence the movement of air, and ultimately the climate patterns of Earth.
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Global Climate In addition to the solar input and movement of Earth, land masses also influence the climate. Bodies of water and mountain ranges also shape weather patterns.
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travismulthaupt.com Bodies of Water Offshore vs. onshore breezes. Ocean currents.
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travismulthaupt.com Mountain Ranges For every 1000m increase in elevation, there is a 6°C drop in temperature. When warm air meets the windward side of the mountain, its water is wrung out. The leeward side of the mountain is subjected to a cool, dry, descending air mass that absorbs moisture. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/11000/11521/Madagascar.TMOA2003155.jpg
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travismulthaupt.com Bodies of Water These are sensitive to changes in temperature. When the temperature changes, turnover occurs. In the fall, the surface water cools and sinks to the bottom. In the spring, the surface water warms (from 0°C) and sinks. Each time, oxygen rich water sinks to the bottom and nutrient rich water rises to the top. www.takemefishing.org
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travismulthaupt.com Biomes Biomes are the major types of ecological associations that occupy large geographical regions. Aquatic biomes occupy about 75% of the Earth’s surface. 1. Marine biomes. 2. Freshwater biomes.
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1. Marine Biomes Have an average salt concentration of 3%. The temperature of the oceans and their currents have a great effect on the Earth’s temperature and wind patterns. Marine biomes also contain algae and photosynthetic bacteria that produce much of the Earth’s O 2 and consume large amounts of CO 2.
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travismulthaupt.com 2. Freshwater Biomes These are closely linked to the soils and biotic components of terrestrial biomes through which the water passes.
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travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes Many aquatic biomes are physically and chemically stratified. Light gets absorbed by water and the organisms in it. They can be broken up into the photic zone and the aphotic zone. The photic zone receives sufficient light for photosynthesis. The aphotic zone receives little light.
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travismulthaupt.com Benthic Zone At the bottom of an aquatic biome is the benthic zone. It is made up of sand and inorganic sediments.
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travismulthaupt.com Water Temperature Water temperature is stratified along what is known as a thermocline. The thermocline is fairly narrow and the upper portion of the body is all that’s warmed. The vast majority of the water remains quite cold.
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Aquatic Communities The communities of organisms in aquatic environments are distributed according to depth, amount of light, distance from shore, and open water vs. the bottom.
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travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes Aquatic biomes consist of both fresh water and marine environments. These biomes are affected by the physical and chemical environments, geological features, photosynthetic organisms, animals, and humans.
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travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes Freshwater biomes consist of: 1. Freshwater Lakes 2. Wetlands 3. Streams and Rivers 4. Estuaries
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travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes Marine Biomes consist of: 1. Intertidal Zones 2. Oceanic Pelagic Biomes 3. Coral Reefs 4. Marine Benthic Zones
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travismulthaupt.com Terrestrial Biomes Terrestrial biomes consist of: 1. Tropical Forests--equatorial, subequatorial 2. Deserts--30° N and S latitude 3. Savannahs--equatorial, subequatorial 4. Chaparral--midlatitude coastal regions 5. Temperate Grasslands--usually on the interior 6. Coniferous Forests--northern edges of N. hemi 7. Temperate Broadleaf Forests--usually mid lat. 8. Tundra--expansive areas of the arctic
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