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Ecosystems Ecosystems are areas where the abiotic and biotic interact to form a community of populations May be large or micro Each is individual in its combination of factors Niche How an organism obtains its four needs: Food, water, space, shelter Includes breeding and childrearing behavior Often defined by natural selection Ecosystem Evolution Niches within ecosystems are usually filled Organisms with the adaptations to overcome limiting factors survive to pass on the traits 1 Ecosystem Evolution As time passes, organisms within the system have evolved characteristic traits for the system. Each individual ecosystem is fairly unique in its evolution Evolutionary patterns Two basic patterns of evolution Generalists Specialists Evolutionary Patterns Generalists Can tolerate a wide range of conditions Seldom need any special condition to survive Niche is large and common 2 Evolutionary patterns Specialists Usually has one narrow tolerance range Often needs a special condition to do well Often occupies a limited niche Abiotic Factors Non-living factors These factors cause many young to die before reproductive age. Adaptations that allow organisms to survive get passed on and become common If the factor is extreme, many adaptations will evolve to overcome it Main abiotic factors 2 main abiotic limiting factors Precipitation Heat 3 Precipitation Water needed for digestion of nutrients Can get too much Need excretion adaptations Can be too little Need to obtain or conserve Heat Minimal amount needed to maintain enzyme function Need to obtain or slow metabolism Too much can shut down enzyme action Need to cool body down Lesser abiotic factors Light Needed for photosynthesis Regulate body cycles Helps form vitamins Wind Impact height of plants Increase impact of temperature 4 Lesser abiotic factors Soil Particle size determines types of plant life possible Nutrient content Moisture retention pH Main biotic factors 2 main biotic limiting factors Intraspecific competition Interspecific competition Interspecific / Food Chains Obtaining food • best to obtain most energy for least energy expended • A key herbivore often develops Key herbivore often fluctuates on a regular cycle/ prolific reproduction Predators must evolve strategies to survive low cycles 5 Energy flow May determine evolution of hunting/feeding behaviors Due to limit of energy to carnivores, most efficient have advantage Stalking, pack hunting, ambush, trapping behaviors evolved Interspecific / Food Chains Avoiding predation Speed, size, camouflage works Chemicals, herding and mimicry also used • These protect the species, not the individual Early gestation allows for species to survive high predation rates Intraspecific Competition Reduced by avoidance Eating different foods at different stages in life / metamorphasis … by Mom Parental care tends to bring about equality among siblings … by heirarchy Know your place and be stress free 6 Ecosystem Evolution The final assemblage of organisms are the result of all of these factors 7