The BiosphereThe Biosphere

The Global ecosystem

EcologyEcology

Study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment

Helps us understand environmental issues - like pollution, wildlife management, using natural resources

VocabularyVocabulary

Biotic Factors - bacteria, animals, fungi, plants and other animals

Abiotic Factors - chemical and physical conditions (like water, wind, temperature, fire, sunlight, soil, )

BREAK!!! BREAK!!! Write your answer in the margin of your handout Choose which one is a Biotic Factor in an

ecosystem.A. WaterB. BearsC. SunlightD. Soil

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Biotic FactorsBiotic Factors

Bacteria on the top of a lake (scum) New animal in an area (like catching a

crocodile in the Sheboygan river) Adding a piranha to a fish tank Bugs

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors Wind Water Dirt Temperature change Acid rain Fire New buildings

Levels of StudyLevels of StudyOrganism 1 living animal

Population Many animals, all the same kind (like all the same wolf)

Community All living organisms in an area (wolves, coyotes, birds, trees)

Ecosystem All living organisms and non-living things (wolves, coyotes, birds, trees, rocks, wind, water, amount of sunlight)

Biosphere Many ecosystems

BREAKBREAK

Categorize the following items according to the ecological levels: 5 Black Bears A pirahna The Sahara Desert in Africa

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BREAKBREAK

What level will contain the following items? 5 Black Bears - Community A pirahna - Individual Organism The Sahara Desert in Africa - Ecosystem

The Biosphere isn’t the same everywhereThe Biosphere isn’t the same everywhere Earth is divided into “habitats” - or different

environments where organisms live Desert Temperate grassland Temperate Deciduous Forest Savanna Tundra Tropical Rain Forest Temperate Rain Forest

HabitatsHabitats

Each Habitat has its own characteristics What are the characteristics of a desert?

Dry, little rain, sand, snakes, scorpians, lizards, etc

What are the characteristics of grassland? Flat, windy, dusty, wildflowers

Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors

Sunlight Water Temperature Soil Wind Severe Disturbances

SunlightSunlight What organisms will be affected by the

amount of sunlight? Plants - trees, grass, flowers

Some need more sun and will grow taller Animals -

Eating - some animals only hunt at night (raccoon, owl, bats) others are more out during the day

Warming their body - reptiles need the sun to keep warm

WaterWater

The amount of water is important Too Much - everything can flood Too Little - drought

TemperatureTemperature

Animals have learned how to deal with the temperatures in their environment Here animals get a thicker coat in the winter or

put on weight (like bears eat a lot before hibernation).

React to temperature change for mating season

BREAKBREAK

Assess which abiotic factor has the greatest impact on the height of trees?

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Year Average Temperature (*F) Average Rain (in) Average Sunlight (hr)1965 40 20 121970 42 24 121975 41 28 121980 40 22 121985 40 20 121990 37 24 121995 39 28 122000 40 24 122005 41 28 12

Height of Trees - 1965-2005

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5

10

15

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25

30

Year

Height of Trees (ft)

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

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2005

SoilSoil

Type of Soil in an area will effect what plants can grow there

WindWind

Moves clouds, rain and thunderstorms Can spread seeds and pollen for plants

Severe DisturbancesSevere Disturbances Fires, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Drought,

Floods, Volcanoes Some organisms have adapted to these

sudden changes “Jack Pine” - the pinecones won’t open until

there is a fire Some wild flowers can grow from their roots

(instead of from a seed)

BreakBreak Describe a situation where abiotic factors can

affect a biotic factor? Example - Dandelion flowers die and become the fluffy

ball of seeds. A strong wind comes and spread the seeds even farther than the year before. The dandelions can now be found in more places and have more plants

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