2. In 1788 settlers brought 2 bulls and 5 cows to Australia Problem: Each cow deposited 10-20 dung pats a day.

3. Finally in 1968 the National Science Committee brought in 2 species of dung beetle from S. Africa Today there are over 50 species of dung beetle in Australia. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-04/there-are-calls- for-the-state-government-to-fund/3632110

4. Overview: The Scope of Ecology Ecology: – Is the scientific study of the interactions between organisms and the environment These interactions – Determine both the distribution of organisms and their abundance **Events that occur in ecological time…. Affect life on the scale of evolutionary time

5. Ecology is not Environmentalism Ecology seeks to generate knowledge about interactions within the natural world. Environmentalism uses the knowledge to inform and make personal and public decisions.

6. biosphere ecosystem community population Studying organisms in their environment organism

7. What determines the distribution of organisms in our world? Climate- a factor that determines if an organism can survive and reproduce.

8. Sunlight intensity – Plays a major part in determining the Earth’s climate patterns Figure 50.10 Low angle of incoming sunlight Sunlight directly overhead Low angle of incoming sunlight North Pole 60  N 30  N Tropic of Cancer 0  (equator) 30  S 60  S Atmosphere LALITUDINAL VARIATION IN SUNLIGHT INTENSITY Tropic of Capricorn South pole

9. Descending dry air absorbs moisture Ascending moist air releases moisture Descending dry air absorbs moisture 30  23.5  00 30  Arid zone Tropics Arid zone 60  N 30  N 0  (equator) 30  S 60  S GLOBAL AIR CIRCULATION AND PRECIPITATION PATTERNS Air circulation and wind patterns – Play major parts in determining the Earth’s climate patterns Figure 50.10

10. Environmental components – Affect the distribution and abundance of organisms Figure 50.2 Kangaroos/km 2 > 20 10–20 5–10 1–5 0.1–1 < 0.1 Limits of distribution Climate in northern Australia is hot and wet, with seasonal drought. Red kangaroos occur in most semiarid and arid regions of the interior, where precipitation is relatively low and variable from year to year. Southeastern Australia has a wet, cool climate. Southern Australia has cool, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Tasmania

11. Biome: The environment defined by its climatic and geographic attributes. Has similar organisms, similar dominant plants. Climate largely determines the distribution and structure of terrestrial biomes

12. Climate and Terrestrial Biomes Figure 50.18 Desert Temperate grassland Tropical forest Temperate broadleaf forest Coniferous forest Arctic and alpine tundra Annual mean precipitation (cm) Annual mean temperature (ºC) 100200300400 30 15 0  15

13. The distribution of major terrestrial biomes 30  N Tropic of Cancer Equator Tropic of Capricorn 30  S Key Tropical forest Savanna Desert Chaparral Temperate grassland Temperate broadleaf forest Coniferous forest Tundra High mountains Polar ice Figure 50.19

14. Biomes You will fill out the Biome chart using your textbook. Select one Biome to create a travel brochure. This is the unit project, due at the end of Ecology. The best travel brochures get prizes.