1.  ECOLOGY: The study of the interactions between organisms, and the living and nonliving components of their environment.

2.  “TAIGA” Russian “little sticks” Also known as a “Boreal Forest” It is the largest biome in the world. The taiga is located near the top of the world, just below the tundra biome. Sunlight, temperature and precipitation determine the plants and animals that can survive in this biome

3. Characterized by coniferous, or (needle bearing trees) forest totaling about 30% of the worlds forest cover

4.  Alaska’s Boreal forests

5.  Subarctic climate with wide variations in temperature ranges,(86°F to -65°F) and daylight

6.  On average; 108 frost free days in the growing season

7.  Average 19in/year precipitation,but low evaporation due to indirect sunlight means enough water to support lush growth

8.  Soils are thin due to cold (permafrost in areas) roots are shallow nutrient uptake is slow fallen leaves and moss can remain for a long time which limits their organic contribution

9.  Needles from spruce create acidic soil called “Podzol” Al & Fe are leached out to lower horizons as well as clays and other minerals

10. Fires in 2004 Anchorage Smoke

11. Brick red– fires pink—flames green--vegetation

12. SUCCESSION IN THE BOREAL FOREST

13. HERB STAGE Grasses and Flowering Plants  1-8 years after impact  Annual plants that grow, produce seeds and die in 1 year.  Sunlight penetrates to the ground

14. SHRUB STAGE Sitka Alder & Bebb Willow  6-25 years after impact  Shade intolerant perennial shrubs like Willow and Alder.  Provide good cover for animals.  Willow is primary moose browse  Direct sunlight available

15. Young Forest Stage White Paper Birch  26-50 Years  Deciduous trees (leaf bearing)Birch, Aspen, & Poplar dominate  Shade intolerant shrubs begin to disappear except where direct sunlight is available  Shade tolerant plants dominate as ground cover (mosses, dwarf dogwood, low bush cranberry, wood fern)

16. Mature Forest White/Black Spruce vs Birch  51-150 years  Spruce & Birch are equal in abundance  Lots of ground cover diversity w/ shade tolerant plants  Small open areas at preceding stages

17. Climax Forest  150-300 plus years  White Spruce is the dominate tree  Canopy more open  This stage will not change; only a disturbance will cause succession to repeat.

18. Energy through the ecosystems Ecology  ENERGY  PRODUCTIVITY  FOOD CHAINS

19.   Is the source of biological energy for living things.  Is light energy that is changed to chemical energy(sugar) by plants.  1 of 3 major components that determine the plants, thus animals that can live in an ecosystem.  Temperature & precipitation are the others The SUN..

20. Plants (producers)  1. Produce chemical energy(sugar) from light energy by photosynthesis: thus they are “producers”  2. Are considered autotrophs or “self feeders”  3.Create biomass or stored energy for all other living organisms

21. Net primary productivity  The rate at which plants capture energy  NPP varies depending on seasons & locations.  Winter=low to none  Spring&summer= high productivity  Results in migration patterns of animals seeking energy(in the form of food)

22. Biomass  1. The organic material found in an ecosystem.  2. Represents stored energy available to other organisms  3. The rate biomass accumulates is net primary productivity

23. Consumers all heterotrophs  1. Any organism that gets its energy by “eating” biomass  2. Do not photosynthesize  3. Can be categorized by their diet as herbivore, omnivore, carnivore,detritivore. decomposer

24. Herbivores 1. Consumers that rely on eating plants to gain energy. 2. Are typically prey species for carnivores. 3. Often referred to as 1st order consumers or Primary consumers

25. Omnivores  1. Animals that eat both plants and other animals as part of their diet.  2. Maybe considered 1st order or 2nd order consumers

26. Carnivores 1. Organisms that eat other animals.(prey) 2. Are considered predators, & 3rd order or greater consumers. 3. Their populations are controlled by the number of prey species

27. Trophic levels  1.A trophic level is a feeding level where energy is passed from one level to the next; ie herbivore to carnivore  2. 90% of captured energy is lost in the transfer from one level to the next  3. Detritivores and decomposers are found in all trophic levels and are considerd the FINAL energy acceptors in

28. A pyramid is used to show relationships between organisms, Energy, and biomass. There is a 10% transfer(or 90% loss) from one level to the next. (going up the pyramid)

29. Detritivores heterotroph  1. Detritivores are found in all trophic levels.  2. Detritivores(bugs, worms, millipedes) feed on dead;decaying matter, breaking it down but leaving behind some nutrients

30. Decomposers: heterotroph 1. Bacteria, molds, rusts 2. Found in all trophic levels 3. They are considered the FINAL energy acceptors: leaving only nutrients and molecules that are available for plants to take up again.

31.  Bugs and bacteria

32. Food webs 1. The relationship many plants and animals have with each other. 2. These relationships are dependent on one another 3. The loss of one affects the survival of the others.