1. Ecology & Biomes

3. Ecology Def. – Interactions between organisms & the environment
Biotic factors
Behavior
Interaction with other species
Biota – all living organisms in an environment
Abiotic factors
Nonliving components – Temp., water, sunlight, wind
Chemical & physical factors

4. Example: Biotic Factors
Behavior is the most important factor for determining distribution of a population
Biotic factors are also important
Predators or prey may influence ability to survive
Kelp (algae) are predated by herbivorous sea urchins & limpets

5. Biotic & Abiotic Factors

6. Red Kangaroo distribution?
NOTE: Australia is dry in the center, wet in periphery
**Highest concentration is found in regions with low precipitation rates
**Lowest concentration is found in regions that are cold or hot, but always are wet

7. Climate Composed of 4 abiotic factors:
TWSW (That’s Wat She Waid?)
Temperature
Water
Sunlight
Wind
Temperature & water = Most Important Limiting Factors (MILFs)

8. Climate Patterns 2 main climate patterns Macroclimate Microclimate
Global, regional or local levels
Microclimate
Small-scale environmental variations
Under a log
Tree canopy vs. forest floor

9. Biomes
Def. – the major types of ecosystems that occupy broad geographic regions
2 main Types
Aquatic
Freshwater
Marine
Terrestrial
Forrests, grasslands, desert, etc.

10. Aquatic Biomes Vertical Zonation Photic Zone Aphotic zone Benthic zone
-- Enough sunlight for photosynthesis
Aphotic zone
-- Yep, u guessed it
Benthic zone
-- Bottom of the biome
-- Sand, organic sediment, and ooze (inorganic sediment)
Detritus
-- dead organic matter that falls from photic zone
Pelagic zone – open water

11. Thermocline
-- Layer of fast temperature change that separate a uniformly warm upper layer and a uniformly cold deeper layer
-- Ocean & most lakes
-- Especially seen during summer & winter

12. Freshwater Biomes Standing bodies of H2O Moving bodies of H2O
Lakes & wetlands
Moving bodies of H2O
Streams, rivers, & estuaries

13. Freshwater Lakes ONLY Littoral Zone -- Shallow & well-lit waters
-- Close to shore
 Features rooted or floating aquatic plants
Limnetic Zone
-- Deep, but well lit waters
-- Far from shore
Occupied by phytoplankton &cyanobacteria

14. 2 Types of Lakes Oligotrophic Eutrophic Normal, healthy water
Nutrient-poor water
Oxygen-Rich water
Eutrophic
Algal blooms
Nutrient-rich water
Oxygen poor water

15. Estuaries Transition area between river and sea Complex flow pattern
Low-density freshwater lies on top of high- density saltwater