Post on 05-Jan-2016
Chapter 3: The Biosphere
Warm Up 4/20• What is Ecology? Explain in your words after looking at the
vocab.
3.1 – What is Ecology?• Ecology = Scientific study of interactions among organisms
and between organisms and their environments.
• Web of interdependence
Levels of Organization
OrganismOrganism
• Organism - an individual living thing • Ex) alligator, turtle, or egret.
OrganismOrganism
Population
Population
• Population - a group of individuals of the same species that live in one area.
OrganismOrganism
Population
Population
Community
Community
• Community - group of different species that live together in one area.
OrganismOrganism
Population
Population
Community
Community
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
• Ecosystem - all of the organisms that live in a place + the physical environment.
OrganismOrganism
Population
Population
Community
Community
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
Biome• Biome – group of ecosystems that share similar climates and type of organisms
Biosphere – the entire planet
Biodiversity• The assortment, or variety, of living things in an
ecosystem• Rain forests have more biodiversity than
other locations in the world, but are threatened by human activities.
Which biome has the greatest biodiversity?
• A keystone species is a species that has an unusually large effect on its ecosystem.
keystone
Why are they called a “Keystone” species?
Bozeman - Biodiversity and Keystone Species
• Keystone species form and maintain a complex web of life.creation ofwetlandecosystem
increased waterfowlPopulation
increased fishpopulation
nesting sites for birds
keystone species
Example of Keystone Species
Keystone Species• How might the mountain lion be a keystone
species?
• What about the honeybee?
Biotic & Abiotic Factors • Biotic factors – any living thing in an environment that an
organism might interact with.• Examples for a Bullfrog?
• Insects it eats. Lilly pads it rests on. Algae/aquatic plants it hides in. Birds that prey upon them.
• Abiotic factors – any nonliving part of the environment. Examples?• Sunlight, heat, precipitation, humidity, soil type,…
How do these factors influence in each other?
3.2 Producers & Consumers• Primary producers / Autotrophs –
• First producers of energy-rich compounds that are later used by other organisms
• Types of Primary Producers • Photosynthesis• Chemosynthesis (chemical energy used to
produce sugars)-Does not require light energy, found
in harsh environments!
Photosynthesis VS Chemosynthesis
Consumers• A.K.A - Heterotrophs• Rely on other organisms for energy and nutrients
Types of ConsumersHerbivore: Eat only plants
Deer, caterpillars, cowsOmnivore: Eat plants and animals
Humans, raccoons, bears, crowsCarnivore: Eat only animals
Hawks, snakes, lionsDetritivore: Feed on plant/animal remains and
other dead matterEarthworms, crabs, snails
Decomposer: Break down organic matterBacteria, fungi
Carnivore Herbivore
Omnivore
Scavenger Detritivore
Decomposers
What type of consumer?• Bacteria
• Decomposer• Pillbugs
• Detritivore • Raccoon
• Omnivore• Venus fly trap
• Carnivore• Slug
• Detritivore