EcologyEcology

Why study ecology?Why study ecology?

What is ecology?What is ecology?

Ecologists study the Ecologists study the biospherebiosphere..

The study of the interactions The study of the interactions among living things, and between among living things, and between

living things and their surroundingsliving things and their surroundings

Organisms live within the Organisms live within the biospherebiosphere!!

The regions of the The regions of the surface and surface and atmosphere of the atmosphere of the earth occupied by earth occupied by living organisms.living organisms.

– Atmosphere = airAtmosphere = air– Lithosphere = groundLithosphere = ground– Hydrosphere = waterHydrosphere = water

So why do So why do ecologists study ecologists study the biosphere?the biosphere?

Because all organisms must Because all organisms must share the biosphere and share the biosphere and ecologists must understand ecologists must understand how they interact individually how they interact individually and collectivelyand collectively

Ecologists use particular levels of Ecologists use particular levels of organization.organization.

BiomeBiome

EcosystemEcosystem

CommunityCommunity

PopulationPopulation

OrganismOrganism

BiomesBiomes

A biome is a major regional or global A biome is a major regional or global community of organisms.community of organisms.

Biomes are characterized by the Biomes are characterized by the climate conditions and plant climate conditions and plant communities that thrive there.communities that thrive there.

Tropical rain forest Tropical rain forest biomes produce biomes produce lush forests.lush forests.

– warm temperature– abundant

precipitation all yearSource: World Meteorological Organization

Grassland biomes are where the Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.primary plant life is grass.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

– Temperate grasslands are dry and Temperate grasslands are dry and warm during the summer; most warm during the summer; most precipitation falls as snow.precipitation falls as snow.

• Grassland biomes are where the primary plant life is grass.

– Tropical grasslands are warm through the year, with definite dry and rainy seasons.

Desert biomes are Desert biomes are characterized by characterized by a very arid a very arid climate.climate.– very low amount of

precipitation– four types: hot, semi-

arid, coastal, and cold

Tucson, Arizona

Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Temperate forest biomes include Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.deciduous forests and rain forests.

– Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.

– Average precipitation– Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.

Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Burlington, Vermont

– Deciduous trees are the dominant plant Deciduous trees are the dominant plant species.species.

– The temperate rain forests have a long The temperate rain forests have a long wet season and relatively dry summer. wet season and relatively dry summer.

• Temperate forest biomes include deciduous forests and rain forests.

– Temperate deciduous forests have hot summers and cold winters.

– Ferns and moss cover the forest floor. 

The taiga biome is The taiga biome is located in cooler located in cooler northern climates.northern climates.– boreal forest– long winters and short

summers– small amount of

precipitationSource: Environment Canada

Banff, Canada

The tundra biome The tundra biome is found in the far is found in the far northern latitudes northern latitudes with long winters.with long winters.

– winter lasts 10 months– limited precipitation– permafrost

Barrow, Alaska

Source: National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Minor biomes, such as chaparral, Minor biomes, such as chaparral, occur globally on a smaller scale.occur globally on a smaller scale.

Polar ice caps and mountains are Polar ice caps and mountains are not considered biomes.not considered biomes.

Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community. Polar ice caps have no soil, therefore no plant community. The climate and organisms found on mountains change as The climate and organisms found on mountains change as

the elevation changes.the elevation changes.

Biomes are made up of smaller Biomes are made up of smaller units called ecosystems.units called ecosystems.

An An ecosystemecosystem includes all the includes all the organisms as well organisms as well as the climate, soil, as the climate, soil, water, rocks, and water, rocks, and other nonliving other nonliving things in a given things in a given areaarea

Ecosystems may Ecosystems may be large or small.be large or small.

Ecosystems are Ecosystems are very complex!very complex!– They can contain They can contain

hundreds or even hundreds or even thousands of thousands of interacting species.interacting species.

Within an ecosystem, there are Within an ecosystem, there are living and nonliving components.living and nonliving components.

Each organism depends in some way Each organism depends in some way on other living and nonliving factors on other living and nonliving factors in its environmentin its environment

Living components are referred to as Living components are referred to as Biotic Biotic factors.factors.

Nonliving components are referred to Nonliving components are referred to as as AbioticAbiotic factors. factors.

Biotic FactorsBiotic Factors

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors

CommunityCommunity

A A communitycommunity is a group of different is a group of different species that live together in one areaspecies that live together in one area

PopulationPopulation

A A populationpopulation is a group of the is a group of the same species the lives in one areasame species the lives in one area

OrganismOrganism

An organism is an individual living An organism is an individual living thingthing

OrganismOrganism

Population

Population

Community

Community

Ecosystem

Ecosystem

BiomeWrap Up: Ecologists study levels!

Energy in EcosystemsEnergy in Ecosystems

We talked about biotic and abiotic We talked about biotic and abiotic factors. What else is an important factors. What else is an important part of an ecosystem?part of an ecosystem?– Energy FlowEnergy Flow

Energy is needed to fuel life Energy is needed to fuel life processes, such as breathing and processes, such as breathing and growing.growing.

Where does this energy come Where does this energy come from?from?

All organisms must have a source of All organisms must have a source of energy in order to surviveenergy in order to survive

NOT all organisms obtain their NOT all organisms obtain their energy by eating other organismsenergy by eating other organisms

The simplest way to look at energy The simplest way to look at energy flow in an ecosystem is through a flow in an ecosystem is through a

food chain.food chain. A A food chainfood chain is a sequence that is a sequence that

links species by their feeding links species by their feeding relationships.relationships.– Shows connection between ONE Shows connection between ONE

producer and a single chain of producer and a single chain of consumers within an ecosystemconsumers within an ecosystem

There are different ways organisms There are different ways organisms obtain energy.obtain energy.

ProducersProducers

Organisms that get their energy from Organisms that get their energy from nonliving resourcesnonliving resources– They make their own foodThey make their own food

Producers are also called Producers are also called autotrophsautotrophs

All ecosystems depend on producers. All ecosystems depend on producers. Why?Why?

Not all producers depend on sunlight Not all producers depend on sunlight for their energy.for their energy.

Remember Remember chemosynthesischemosynthesis??– Process by which organisms form Process by which organisms form

carbohydrates using chemicals, rather carbohydrates using chemicals, rather than light, as an energy sourcethan light, as an energy source

ConsumersConsumers

Organisms that get their energy by Organisms that get their energy by eating other living or once-living eating other living or once-living resources such as plants and animalsresources such as plants and animals

Consumers are also called Consumers are also called heterotrophsheterotrophs

Types of ConsumersTypes of Consumers HerbivoresHerbivores

CarnivoresCarnivores

OmnivoresOmnivores

DetritivoresDetritivores

DecomposersDecomposers

HerbivoresHerbivores

Organisms who eat only plants (eat Organisms who eat only plants (eat only producers)only producers)

CarnivoresCarnivores

Organisms who eat only animalsOrganisms who eat only animals

OmnivoresOmnivores

Organisms who eat both plants and Organisms who eat both plants and animalsanimals

DetritivoresDetritivores

Organisms that eat detritus, or dead Organisms that eat detritus, or dead organic matterorganic matter

DecomposersDecomposers

Organisms that break down organic Organisms that break down organic material into simpler compoundsmaterial into simpler compounds

Specialists and GeneralistsSpecialists and Generalists

SpecialistsSpecialists are are consumers who consumers who primarily eat one primarily eat one specific organismspecific organism

Example: Florida Snail KiteExample: Florida Snail Kite

GeneralistsGeneralists are are consumers who consumers who have a varying diethave a varying diet

Example: Gray WolfExample: Gray Wolf

Trophic LevelsTrophic Levels

Trophic levels are the levels of Trophic levels are the levels of nourishment in a food chain.nourishment in a food chain.

Food WebsFood Webs

Because generalists have a varying Because generalists have a varying diet, they may be part of several diet, they may be part of several food chainsfood chains

A food web is a model that shows the A food web is a model that shows the complex network of feeding complex network of feeding relationships and the flow of energy relationships and the flow of energy within an ecosystemwithin an ecosystem

Remember our food web activity?Remember our food web activity?

Food WebFood Web

Energy PyramidEnergy Pyramid

An An energy energy pyramidpyramid is a is a diagram that diagram that compares compares energy used by energy used by producers, producers, primary primary consumers, and consumers, and other trophic other trophic levelslevels

Create an energy pyramidCreate an energy pyramid

You and your table mate will create an You and your table mate will create an energy pyramid using the provided energy pyramid using the provided organisms.organisms.

Step 1: Color organismsStep 1: Color organisms Step 2: Cut out organisms.Step 2: Cut out organisms. Step 3: Arrange organisms on Step 3: Arrange organisms on

appropriate pyramid stepappropriate pyramid step Step 4: Calculate kilocalories per stepStep 4: Calculate kilocalories per step

Cycling of MatterCycling of Matterin Ecosystemsin Ecosystems

Matter changes form but it does NOT Matter changes form but it does NOT disappeardisappear– What happens if you crush a rock?What happens if you crush a rock?

Certain chemicals constantly cycle Certain chemicals constantly cycle through the environmentthrough the environment

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

A A biogeochemical cyclebiogeochemical cycle is the is the movement of a particular chemical movement of a particular chemical through the biological and geological, through the biological and geological, or living and nonliving, parts of an or living and nonliving, parts of an ecosystemecosystem

Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle

Aka the water Aka the water cyclecycle

The circular The circular pathway of pathway of water on Earth water on Earth from the from the atmosphere to atmosphere to the surface, the surface, below the below the ground, and ground, and back.back.

precipitation condensation

transpirationevaporation

water storagein ocean

surfacerunoff

groundwater

Oxygen CycleOxygen Cycle Plants release Plants release

oxygen as a oxygen as a waste product waste product during during photosynthesisphotosynthesis

Humans and Humans and other organisms other organisms take in Otake in O22 and and expel COexpel CO22

Plants absorb Plants absorb COCO22 for for photosynthesisphotosynthesis

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis and respiration and respiration account for account for much of the much of the transformation transformation and movement and movement of carbon.of carbon.fossil fuels

photosynthesis

carbon dioxidedissolved in water

decompositionof organisms

respiration

carbondioxidein air

photosynthesis

combustionrespiration

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycleaka Nitrogen Fixationaka Nitrogen Fixation

Certain types of Certain types of bacteria convert bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen into ammonia (NHammonia (NH33))

Much of the N cycle Much of the N cycle occurs underground occurs underground where bacteria where bacteria transform nitrates transform nitrates into, which are used into, which are used by plants to make by plants to make amino acids.amino acids.

Create a Biogeochemical FoldableCreate a Biogeochemical Foldable

You and your table You and your table mate will create an mate will create an informative informative biogeochemical biogeochemical foldable describing foldable describing one of the four cycles one of the four cycles previously discussed.previously discussed.

You must include You must include descriptive sentences descriptive sentences and an illustration of and an illustration of the cycle.the cycle.

Interactions in EcosystemsInteractions in Ecosystems

To understand what individuals, To understand what individuals, populations, and communities need populations, and communities need to survive, ecologist study the to survive, ecologist study the interactions among species and interactions among species and between species and their between species and their environmentenvironment

Habitat and NicheHabitat and Niche

A A habitathabitat can be can be described as all of the described as all of the biotic and abiotic biotic and abiotic factors in an area factors in an area where an organism where an organism lives.lives.

WHEREWHERE an organism an organism liveslives

An An ecological nicheecological niche is composed of all the is composed of all the physical, chemical, physical, chemical, and biological factors and biological factors a species needs to a species needs to survive, stay healthy survive, stay healthy and reproduce.and reproduce.

HOWHOW an organism an organism liveslives

When two species use the same When two species use the same resources in the same way, resources in the same way, competitioncompetition

occurs.occurs.

The principle of competitive The principle of competitive exclusion states that when exclusion states that when twotwo species are competing for the species are competing for the samesame resources, one species will be resources, one species will be betterbetter suited to the niche, and the other suited to the niche, and the other species will be species will be pushedpushed into another into another niche or become extinct.niche or become extinct.

Ecological equivalentsEcological equivalents

Ecological equivalentsEcological equivalents are two species are two species that occupy similar niches in that occupy similar niches in geographically separate areas.geographically separate areas.

Madagascar mantella frogMadagascar mantella frog South American poison dart frogSouth American poison dart frog

Organisms interact as individuals Organisms interact as individuals

and as populations.and as populations.

Competition and predation are two Competition and predation are two

important ways organisms interact.important ways organisms interact. CompetitionCompetition occurs when two occurs when two

organisms fight for the same limited organisms fight for the same limited resource.resource.

Two types of competition:Two types of competition:

Intraspecific Intraspecific competition – competition – organisms of the organisms of the same species same species competecompete

Interspecific Interspecific competition – competition – organisms of organisms of different species different species competecompete

PredationPredation occurs when one organism occurs when one organism captures and eats another.captures and eats another.

SymbiosisSymbiosis

SymbiosisSymbiosis is a close ecological is a close ecological relationship between two or more relationship between two or more organisms of different species that organisms of different species that live in direct contact with one live in direct contact with one another.another.

There are three major types of There are three major types of symbiotic relationships.symbiotic relationships.

1.1. MutualismMutualism

2.2. CommensalismCommensalism

3.3. ParasitismParasitism

Mutualism: both organisms benefit

Commensalism: one organism benefits, the other is unharmed

Human Our eyelashes are home to tiny mitesthat feast on oil secretions and dead skin. Without harming us, up to 20 mites may be living in one eyelash follicle.

Demodicids Eyelash mites find all they need to survive in the tiny folliclesof eyelashes. Magnified here 225 times, these creatures measure 0.4 mm in length and can be seen only with a microscope.

+

Organism benefits+

Ø

Ø Organism is not affected

Commensalism

ParasitismParasitism: one organism benefits, : one organism benefits, the other is harmedthe other is harmed

Organism benefits+

_

Organism is not affected

Hornworm caterpillarThe host hornworm will eventually die as its organs are consumedby wasp larvae.

Braconid waspBraconid larvae feed on their host and release themselves shortly before reachingthe pupae stage of development.

_

Parasitism

+

+

Each population has a Each population has a density and a density and a dispersion. dispersion.

Population density Population density is the number of is the number of individuals that live in a defined area. individuals that live in a defined area.

Population density is a measurement of the number Population density is a measurement of the number of individuals living in a defined space.of individuals living in a defined space.

Scientists can calculate population density.Scientists can calculate population density.

DispersionDispersion of a population shows how of a population shows how individuals in a population are spaced. individuals in a population are spaced.

Population Population dispersion refers dispersion refers to how a to how a population is population is spread in an spread in an area.area.

There are three types of There are three types of dispersion. dispersion.

1.1. ClumpedClumped

2.2. UniformUniform

3.3. RandomRandom

Clumpeddispersion

Uniformdispersion

Randomdispersion

Populations grow in predictable Populations grow in predictable patterns.patterns.

Changes in a population’s size are Changes in a population’s size are determined by:determined by:

Immigration Immigration – movement of individuals into a – movement of individuals into a population form another populationpopulation form another population

Births – new offspringBirths – new offspring

EmigrationEmigration – movement of individuals out of a – movement of individuals out of a population and into another populationpopulation and into another population

Deaths – death of an individualDeaths – death of an individual

Population growth is based on available Population growth is based on available resources.resources.

Exponential growthExponential growth is a rapid population increase due to an abundance of is a rapid population increase due to an abundance of resources.resources.

Often referred to as the “J Curve”Often referred to as the “J Curve”

Logistic growth Logistic growth is due to a is due to a population facing limited resources. population facing limited resources.

Often referred to as the “S Curve”Often referred to as the “S Curve”

Carrying capacity Carrying capacity is the maximum is the maximum number of individuals in a population number of individuals in a population that the environment can support.that the environment can support.

• A population crash is a dramatic decline in the size of a population over a short period of time.

After an ecosystem experiences a devastating After an ecosystem experiences a devastating catastrophe, it begins to re-grow through a process catastrophe, it begins to re-grow through a process

called succession.called succession.

SuccessionSuccession is the sequence of biotic is the sequence of biotic changes the regenerate a damaged changes the regenerate a damaged community or create a community in community or create a community in a previously uninhabited area.a previously uninhabited area.

There are two types of succession.There are two types of succession.– Primary successionPrimary succession– Secondary successionSecondary succession

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession Primary succession Primary succession is the establishment is the establishment

and development of an ecosystem in an and development of an ecosystem in an area that was previously uninhabited.area that was previously uninhabited.

The first organisms to live in a previously The first organisms to live in a previously uninhabited area are called uninhabited area are called pioneer pioneer speciesspecies..

Steps of primary succession:Steps of primary succession:

1.1. Exposed bare rock begins to crack and break into smaller Exposed bare rock begins to crack and break into smaller pieces (because of wind, rain and ice)pieces (because of wind, rain and ice)

2.2. Wind brings in lichen and moss spores. These organisms Wind brings in lichen and moss spores. These organisms grow in the cracks and break the rock even more. When grow in the cracks and break the rock even more. When these organisms die, their remains mix with the rock to these organisms die, their remains mix with the rock to form a thin layer of soil.form a thin layer of soil.

3.3. With time, seeds are introduced by wind or birds. Small With time, seeds are introduced by wind or birds. Small flowers and hardy shrubs grow.flowers and hardy shrubs grow.

4.4. The soil continues to grow thicker. Small trees take root, The soil continues to grow thicker. Small trees take root, and different animals move into the area.and different animals move into the area.

5.5. Different tree species take root and eventually replace the Different tree species take root and eventually replace the original trees.original trees.

Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession Secondary succession is the Secondary succession is the

reestablishment of a damaged reestablishment of a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact.was left intact.

Plants and other organisms that Plants and other organisms that remain start the process of regrowth.remain start the process of regrowth.

Time for a Scavenger Hunt!!!Time for a Scavenger Hunt!!!