Unit 8: EcologyUnit 8: Ecology

ECOLOGYECOLOGY

BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY

Climate zones determine communitiesClimate zones determine communities

Figure 5-2Figure 5-2

Terrestrial biomesTerrestrial biomes

Figure 5-9Figure 5-9

Nonliving and Living Components Nonliving and Living Components of Ecosystemsof Ecosystems

Populations & CommunitiesPopulations & Communities

Ecological nicheEcological niche

An organismAn organism’’s role in its communitys role in its community

Includes Includes what it needs to survivewhat it needs to survive

– NutrientsNutrients

– LightLight

– Space (habitat)Space (habitat)

– Oxygen or carbon dioxideOxygen or carbon dioxide

– Inorganic compoundsInorganic compounds

How it interacts with other speciesHow it interacts with other species

Species interactionsSpecies interactions When two organisms interact together in one of When two organisms interact together in one of

several ways.several ways.

Can be intraspecific or interspecificCan be intraspecific or interspecific

One interaction is competitionOne interaction is competition

What is the graph telling us about the effect of competition on species A and B?

Predation is another (interspecific) interactionPredation is another (interspecific) interaction

Predators adaptationsPredators adaptations Locate, sneak up on & subdue preyLocate, sneak up on & subdue prey

Prey adaptationsPrey adaptations elude & defendelude & defend

spines, thorns, toxins

horns, speed, coloration

More Interspecific interactions More Interspecific interactions

Symbiotic interactionsSymbiotic interactions parasitismparasitism (-/+) (-/+) mutualismmutualism (+/+) (+/+)

lichens (algae & fungus)lichens (algae & fungus)

commensalismcommensalism (+/0) (+/0) barnacles attached barnacles attached

to whaleto whale

commensalism

predation parasitism and competition

Symbiosismutualism

+/0

+/+

+/-

+/--/-

Two Necessities for Survival: Two Necessities for Survival: Energy Flow and Matter RecyclingEnergy Flow and Matter Recycling

Producers: Basic Source of All FoodProducers: Basic Source of All Food

Most producers capture sunlight to produce Most producers capture sunlight to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis:carbohydrates by photosynthesis:

This process of turning inorganic materials into organic materials using energy from the sun is called primary production.

Respiration: Getting Energy for SurvivalRespiration: Getting Energy for Survival

Organisms break down carbohydrates and other Organisms break down carbohydrates and other organic compounds in their cells to obtain the organic compounds in their cells to obtain the energy for internal reactions.energy for internal reactions.

This is done through This is done through aerobic respirationaerobic respiration or or anaerobic respirationanaerobic respiration..

Consumers: Eating and Consumers: Eating and Recycling to SurviveRecycling to Survive

Consumers get their food by eating or Consumers get their food by eating or breaking down all or parts of other organisms breaking down all or parts of other organisms or their remains.or their remains.Herbivores Herbivores CarnivoresCarnivoresOmnivoresOmnivores

Decomposers and DetritivoresDecomposers and Detritivores

Energy FlowEnergy Flow Energy flows through an ecosystemEnergy flows through an ecosystem

Route of energy flow is determined by an Route of energy flow is determined by an ecosystemecosystem’’s s trophic structure.trophic structure.

Trophic interactions move energy through an Trophic interactions move energy through an ecosystemecosystem

Simple example:

Food Food WebsWebs

Trophic levels are Trophic levels are interconnected within a interconnected within a more complicated food more complicated food web.web.

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem: Losing Energy Flow in an Ecosystem: Losing UsefulUseful Energy in Food Chains and Webs Energy in Food Chains and Webs

MATTER CYCLING IN MATTER CYCLING IN ECOSYSTEMSECOSYSTEMS

Nutrient Cycles: Global RecyclingNutrient Cycles: Global Recycling recycle nutrients through the earthrecycle nutrients through the earth’’s air, land, s air, land,

water, and living organisms.water, and living organisms.nutrientsnutrients are the elements and compounds that are the elements and compounds that

organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce.organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygenCarbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygen

biogeochemical cyclesbiogeochemical cycles move these substances move these substances through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms.through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms.

Nutrient cyclingNutrient cycling All organisms are made up of organic moleculesAll organisms are made up of organic molecules

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates ProteinsProteins LipidsLipids Nucleic acidsNucleic acids

Essential nutrients are those that are required to make the Essential nutrients are those that are required to make the organic moleculesorganic molecules C, H, N, O, P, SC, H, N, O, P, S

Organic matter cycles within ecosystemsOrganic matter cycles within ecosystems

Both autotrophs and decomposers play vital rolesBoth autotrophs and decomposers play vital roles

Carbon Cycle:

The Nitrogen Cycle: The Nitrogen Cycle: Bacteria in ActionBacteria in Action

Phosphorus cycle