Ecology definedThe study of interactions between organisms and their environments

Ex: population dynamics; food webs; trophic levels; nutrient cycling

EcosystemAll of the interactions among the populations in a community and the communitys physical surroundings Includes all the BIOTIC (living) factors and the ABIOTIC (non-living) factors

Ex of ecosystems: tide pool; stream; field: drop of pond water; a tree; woods

What are some connections within Ecosystems?

Connections in EcosystemsEcosystems endlessly recycle materials and energycommon to all ecosystems.

Linked within ecosystems: chemically (nutrients)biologically (food web)physically (shared abiotic factors)

Pyramid of Energy:its a one-way street: WHY?

Pyramid of EnergyProducersPhotosynthesis (energy + H2O + nutrients (CO2)

Pyramid of EnergyProducersHerbivores

Pyramid of EnergyCarnivores

Pyramid of EnergyCarnivoresOmnivores

Pyramid of EnergyCarnivoresOmnivoresParasites

Pyramid of EnergyCarnivoresOmnivoresParasitesDecomposers

Trophic LevelsPhotosynthetic autotrophsFirst order consumersSecond order consumersThird order consumers

BiomassPyramid of Size: Generally amount of matter stored in organism is inversely proportional to the size of the animalsMediumSmallMicroscopic

BiomassDiatomsDaphniaMinnowsTroutHawkProducerHerbivore or Primary or 1st order consumerPrimary Carnivore or secondary or 2nd order consumerTertiary or 3rd order consumer or secondary carnivoreTertiary carnivore or Quaternary or 4th order consumer

Energy and BiomassWhy is there only 1 hawk at the top?

Food Chains and Food WebsFood Chain: single line of feedingEvery food chain must begin with a producer and end with a decomposerFood WebsMany food chains with multiple choices at different trophic levels

Application QuestionTurn to your neighbor and each of you give an example to the other of how an abiotic factor can effect a biotic factor Now, can you reverse that?? give an example of how a biotic factor can effect abiotic factors

NicheAn organisms role in its ecosystemWhat it eatsWho eats itWhere it livesHow it affects its environmentInterrelationships**No two species can occupy the same niche at the same time in the same place.

Niche, contEx:Antelope and African deer: same niche: different place =okayHares and kangaroos:Same niche, same place & same time = in competition for food & spaceGalapagos finches: same place & time, diff niches - feeding, nesting sites, habitat all varied based on feet and beak adaptationsFisher and eaglehttp://www.txtwriter.com/Backgrounders/graphics/evolution/page5.jpghttp://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/17864/australia,..arri%20gate.jpg

Interrelationships - SymbiosisPredation: (+/-)Only one benefits; one harmed. (can be +/+ to population-how?)

Mutualism: (+/+)Both benefit-examples?

Commensalism & ParasitismCommensalism: (+/0)One benefits; one neutral

Parasitism: (+/-) or (-/-)- why?http://www.greenwaterimages.com/bahamas2005/images/sharkwithremora.jpgttp://ruina.tam.cornell.edu/Personal%20photos/KonMin_A2_MacroSamples/originals/mosquito.JPG

(go to adaptation/population )ppt

BIOME: All the ecosystems that are identified by particular vegetation and climate: GrasslandsDesertTemperate deciduous forestTropical rainforestMarineFreshwaterEstuariesTundraTaiga (boreal forest/ coniferous forest)

Biomes: climate

Biome in different locations can have varying species:Ex: grassland differencesAmerican PrairieAfrican Savannah

See summary chart in notes

Biomes

Aquatic Zones: Planktonic vs. nekton vs benthicPlanktonic: floaters*Phytoplankton:diatoms(90% O2 produced in world)*Zooplankton

Nekton: free swimmersEx. whales, jellyfish etc.Benthic: bottom dwellersEx: flounder, clams,coral

Aquatic Zones: Photic vs AphoticPhotic Light penetrates Photosynthesis and Respiration*Make O2 and food(producers)*Use CO2 and raw nutrients (from the aphotic zone/all the heterotrophs)Aphotic No light Respiration and decomposition only *Use O2 and food (from producers) *Make CO2 and raw nutrients (through respiration-give to photic)

Intertidal= ecotone Zones of great diversity * Often called nursery of the sea

Estuaries and Marshes= EcotonesWhy are wetlands important ?

******Predict: What does the energy pyramid start with?*What might eat the grass?*What might eat the deer?*What is an animal that might eat plants and animals?********http://www.bigelow.org/edhab/fitting_algae.htmlhttp://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/lsps07.sci.life.eco.oceanfoodweb/

*Is the mouse a predator?? Which O are prey?****Can a cow prey on grass? Is the Cow a predator?

*http://www.oceanfootage.com/oceans/search?screen=search&savesearch=1&keyword_sorter=cat&cat_keyword_sorter=and&keywords=shark+remora&search_rights=ALL**********