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Essential Question: What Is ecology?

Ecology- the study of the interactions among
organisms and their interrelationships with the
physical environment.

No organism exists as an entity, separate and distinct
from its environment. All living organism are
dependent upon other living things as well as
dependent on the nonliving environment.
Essential Questions: What are Abiotic factors? How do they
influence organisms?
Abiotic Factors- the physical
(nonliving) parts of an
environment. Exs.
Light, temperature,
water wind currents,
soil nutrients, supply of
gases, and pH.
Light:
•
Essential for
Photosynthesis.
•
Strength of light:
•
mossespoor light
•
Sunflowers strong
light
•
Very important in
aquatic environments>light penetrates about
600 feet, thus plant life.
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Light
d. Influences behavior:
Diurnal-robins,
squirrels
Nocturnal-owls, mice
Opossums
Abiotic Factors
Temperature: Affects
the type of organism
that can live in a
particular area.
Exs. Bass and trout
live in cold water,
catfish live in warm
water, killer bees
Adaptations to Temperature Changes:
Feathers
and fur
•
•
•
layers of fat
(adipose)
migration
hibernation Ex.
Squirrels, bats
Water-needed by organism as:
• habitat
• nutrient
• to regulate internal temperature
• an environment for chemical reactions
Essential Question: What is an habitat?
Habitat- where an
organisms lives. Exs.
Under a rock, in the
water
Soil- where organisms live
depends on the type of
soil.
Exs. Sandy soil- pine trees
Acid soil-azaleas
Water filled soil
(swamps, bogs)cranberries, cedar, and
cypress
Essential Question: What are the levels of
organization in Ecology?
Biotic Factors: Organisms
Exs. insects, whales,
bats
II Levels of Organization in
Ecology:
Population-group of
organisms of one
species that can
interbreed and live in
the same place at the
same time. Ex. Zebras
Community- collection of
interacting populations
Ex. Zebras and Giraffes
Community
Ecosystem- interaction
among the
populations in a
community and the
community’s abiotic
factors.
Biosphere-portion of the Earth that supports
life. High in the atmosphere to the bottom
of the ocean.
• Organism Species Population
Community Ecosystem Biosphere
Essential Questions? What is
symbiosis? What are the three types
of symbiotic relationships?
Organism Relationships:
• A close and permanent
association among organisms
and different species is called
symbiosis (living together).
Types of Symbiosis:
Mutualism-relationship
in which each
organism benefits.
Exs. Ants and acacia
trees, termites and
protozoans.
Commensalism:
Relationship in which
one species
benefits and the
other species is not
harmed nor does it
benefit. Exs. Pilot
fish and shark,
Spanish moss and
trees.
Commensalism
Parasitism:
Relationship in which one species
benefits while the other is harmed.
Exs. tapeworm, fleas, ticks
Parasite-species that harms.
Host-species that is harmed.
Meet Mr. Tapeworm
I Love to Drink Your Blood!!!
Essential Questions: What are heterotrophs?
What is their relationship to a food web or food
chain?
Types of Heterotrophs:
Herbivore: Plant eating
organisms. Exs.
cows
Herbivores
Carnivore: Meat eating
organisms. Exs.
snakes, lions

Includes
predators and
scavengers.
Predator-kills and feeds
on other organisms
(prey). Ex.
Mice/snake
Scavenger-feeds on
already dead
organisms. Exs.
Crow, hyenas,
vultures
Omnivore-organisms
that eat both plants
and animals. Exs.
man, raccoon,
opossums, bears
Decomposers:
•
Break down dead
and decaying plants
and animals into
simpler molecules.
• Returns nutrients
back to soil. Exs.
bacteria, fungi,
protozoan
• Without
decomposers
nutrients could not
be recycled back
into the cycles.
Food Chains/Food Webs:
Food chain:
•
Simple model used
to show how matter
and energy move
through an
ecosystem.
Maximum of five levels
(trophic levels).
• Ex.
Grassmouseow
l
Food Chain
•
•
Decomposers are
always present in a
food chain.
Energy is lost at
each trophic level
(as heat).
Food Web:
•
Series of
interconnecting food
webs.
• Composed of
producers,
consumers, and
decomposers.
• Energy is lost at
each
Food Pyramid
Essential Questions: What is a limiting factor? How
does it influence the type and number of organisms
living in a particular habitat?
Limiting Factor- any abiotic or biotic factor
that restricts the existence, numbers,
reproduction, or distribution of organisms.
Exs Amount of sun light, amount of
nutrients, availability of a mate.
Essential Questions: What is ecological
succession? What is a niche?
Ecological Succession:
•
Process by which an
existing ecosystem is
gradually replaced by
another ecosystem.
•
Occurs in stages.
•
Different species at
different stages create
conditions that are
unsuitable for others.
•
Can take decades or
even centuries.
•
Continues until a
climax community
is reached.
Pioneer Organism- first
organism in ecological
succession.
Climax Community A stable mature
community that under
goes little or no
changes in species.
 Ex. Hardwood forest

Secondary Succession -sequence of
community changes that take place after a
community is disturbed by a natural
disaster of human activity. Exs. Fire, flood
Niche:
• Role (job) of an organism. Ex. Prey it eats
No two organisms have the same niche.
Ex. Competition -> Hawk/Owl
Essentatil Questions: What are biomes? What are
the characteristics of each biome?
Biomes:
Group of ecosystems with same
climax community.
Name dafter the climax community.
Two types of biomes:
 Terrestrial
 Aquatic
Terrestrial Biomes :
Tundra
Taiga
 Temperature Deciduous Forest
 Tropical Rainforest
Grasslands
 Desert
Tundra:
• Climax flora-lichen,
mosses, grasses,
stunted trees
• Permanently frozen
subsoil (permafrost)
•
Climax fauna-caribou,
snowy owls,
lemmings
Taiga:
Climax flora-conifers
Climax fauna- moose
and black bear
Long severe winters and
short summers-with
thawing of subsoil.
Temperate Deciduous Forest:
 Climax flora-deciduous tees
 Climax fauna- gray squirrel, fox, and
deer
 Moderate precipitation
 Cold winters and warm summers
4. Tropical Rainforest:




a. Climax flora- many
species of broad-leaved
plants
b. Climax faunasnake, monkey and
leopards
c. Heavy rainfall
(200cm-600cm)
d. Constant warmth(25
5. Grass lands:
• Climax fauna-antelope
and prairie dog
• Climax flora- grasses
• Rainfall and
temperature vary
greatly.
•
Occupies more land
than any other biome.
 Prairie- US, Canada,
and Australia
 Steppe-Russia
 Savannas-Africa
 Pampas-Argentina
Desert:
• Climax flora-drought
resistant shrubs,
succulent plants,
and cacti.
• Climax faunakangaroo rat and
lizards
• Sparse rainfall.
• Extreme daily
temperate change
Aquatic Biomes:
Two Types :a. Marine
•
b. Fresh Water
Represent the largest
ecosystem
• 70% of the earth is covered
with water.
• Most stable biome
• Factors such as availability of
dissolved gases, temperature,
light and dissolved mineral
affect the kinds and number of
organisms.
A. Marine Biome:
• Most stable biome
• Absorbs and holds large
quantities of solar heat thus
stabilizes the Earth’s weather.
• Habitat for a large number or
diverse organisms.
Fresh Water Biome:
•
•





Includes lake ponds,
streams and rivers
Shows considerable
variations in :
Size
Current velocity
Concentration of
gases
Rate of succession
Concentration of
suspended particles
Essential Questions: What is biological diversity?
Why is biological diversity essential to the survival
of an ecosystem?
Carrying Capacitythe amount of
organisms a
particular
ecosystem can
contain.
Biological Diversity- variety of life in an
area
 Biodiversity increases as you move
towards the equator.
 Areas of largest biodiversity: Tropical rain
forest, coral reef, tropical lakes
 Large islands have a larger biodiversity
than smaller islands. (More habitats)
Importance of Biodiversity:
•
Beautiful Ex. parking lot versus
forest
•
Organisms are dependent upon
each other. Exs. Food chain, lack
of pollination, lack of decomposers
to bring nutrient back to soil.
•
Biodiversity brings stability to an
ecosystem. Ex. Corn in a farmer’s
field versus a rain forest
•
Humans depend on organism for
food, oxygen, clothing, building
supplies, and medicine.
Medicines:
•
Taxol (anticancer drug)-Pacific Yew
•
Rosy Periwinkle-Hodgkin’s and
leukemia
•
Willow Bark-aspirin
•
Loss of Biodiversity:
Extinction-disappearance of a species. Exs.
Passenger pigeon, relic leopard frog
Threatened-species is rapidly declining in
numbers Exs. Wild elephant, 3 million in
1970’s to 700,000.
Endangered-numbers of a species became
so low that extinction is possible. Exs.
Black rhinoceros
Essential Question: What are some threats to
biodiversity?
Threats to Biodiversity:
 The biggest threat to
biodiversity is habitat
loss.
•
Altering the habitat for
the growing human
population:
Exs. Rain forest---cattle
pasture
Meadows---parking lots
Coral reef---mined for
building materials
Habitat Fragmentationseparation of wilderness
areas from other wilderness
areas. Ex. A road
Results in:
•
Decreased food supply for
large predators
•
Doesn’t allow for migration
of some organisms. Exs.
Zebras, wildebeest
•
Can change climate of area.
Habitat Degradation-damage to
a habitat by pollution.
Three Types of Pollution:
Air Pollution:
Acid rain:
• Result of sulfur dioxide (coal burning factories),
nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide (cars)
•
Combines with water in the air, Forms acid
droplets.
• Leaches Ca, K and nutrients out of soil.
• Damages plant tissue and interferes with growth
• Lowers pH of lakes, streams, etc., thus killing
organisms.
CFC(chlorofluorocarbons):

Chemicals used in refrigerators and air
conditioners, propellant in aerosol cans
and in the production of polystyrene.

Is breaking down the ozone layer.
Ozone layer-layer of gases that protect
organism from receiving damaging or
lethal doses of UV radiation.
Smog-mixture of fog and smoke.
• Break down of
ozone layer will
result in:
• Genetic mutations
• Skin cancer
• Cataracts
Essential questions: What are some sources
of water pollution? How do they affect the
environment?
Water Pollution:
• A variety of pollutants
can affect aquatic life.
• Exs. Excess fertilizers
(phosphates) and
animal wastes--cause algal bloom.
Thermal pollution-adding warmer water
back to ecosystem, thus killing organisms
and reducing oxygen levels. Ex. Nuclear
power plants
Chemicals in runoff (PCB, Hg) and
dumping toxic chemicals.
Can cause death and illness
Reduced oxygen supply, thus only
scavenger can survive.
Silt from eroded soil—clogs gills in fish,
prevents sunlight from reaching
organisms.
•
•
•
Use of
underground
wells and
aquifers.
Aquifers provide
50% of drinking
water in US.
Predict ground
water will be
depleted in 50
years.
Essential Questions: What are biocides? What
impact do they have on the environment
Land Pollution:
•
Garbage buried in
landfills (destroys
wildlife habitat
Sanitary landfill- a layer of
wastes covered by a
layer of soil and
repeated until a
mountain of garbage is
formed. Ex. La Guardia
Airport
Toxic waste sites:
 Areas filled with toxic and radioactive
substances.
 Result of industry, nuclear power plants,
and certain medical procedures.
 Continue to give off harmful radiation for
thousand s of years.
 Can leach into fresh water supplies. Ex.
Love Canal- built on and near to a toxic
dump.
Love Canal
• Super fund Act 1980-provides money to
clean up toxic waste dumps.
• Depletion and removal of topsoil- nutrient
rich soil Due to construction,
contamination, poor farming practices, and
deforestation.
Deforestation
Cutting down forests for
alternate uses.
Desertification:
 Land is lost due to droughts or poor farming
practices.
 Severe threat to our soil supply,
 Land becomes dry and nutrient poor. Ex.
Grazing land is stripped of all vegetation
(including roots) and is compressed into a hard
surface. Land becomes bare and plants can’t
grow.—Sahara in Africa increasing in size.
Use of Biocides:
Pesticides- chemicals that kill
pests. Exs. wasps, locust,
Mediterranean fruit fly,
mosquitoes-West Nile
Virus-biocide (Breaks down
within 24 hours- however if
inhaled will cause severe
liver and nervous system
damage).
Herbicides:
•
Chemical that kills plants.
•
Have contaminated soil, air,
and water supplies.
•
Disrupted food webs.
Essential Questions? What is biological
magnification? What are some examples of
biological magnification?
Biological Magnification:
• process by which substances are
passed up each trophic level in
increasing concentrations. Exs. DDT
and Hg
DDT:
•
Pesticide mainly used to kill
mosquitoes (yellow fever, malaria)
• Entered into ground water.
• Fish and fish eating birds died. Exs.
Pelicans, Ospreys, and Eagles
• Caused Ca to be excreted from birds,
thus laid soft-shelled eggs.
• DDT accumulated in organisms.
Hg:
•
Waste product of battery production
in Minamata Bay, Japan.
• Affects the CNS-causes paralysis,
mental illness, birth defects, and
death.
Over hunting:
•
Uncontrolled hunting,
trapping, and fishing
occur in many parts of
the world.
•
Extinction of the dodo
bird and passenger
pigeon.
•
Severely threatened
marine organisms.
Exs. sharks, whales
(Japan).
Direct Harvesting:
•
The destruction or
removal of species from
their habitats. Exs.
Monkeys, parrots.
Essential Questions? What are invasive
species? What is their impact on the
environment? What are some examples
of invasive species?
Invasive species:
 Intentionally or accidentally imported
organisms to where they have no natural
enemies.

Exs. Japanese beetle, Zebra Mussels,
Purple loosestrife, goats (Catalina), lamprey
eel (Great Lakes), rabbits.
 Takes over niche of native species.
Essential Questions: What is Conservation Biology?
What is renewable and nonrenewable resources?


Renewable Resources-resources that can be
replaced. Exs. Wood, water
Nonrenewable resources-resources that
cannot be replaced. Exs. Fossil fuels, minerals
Conservation Biology-studies methods and implements plans to protect
biodiversity.
Strategies of Conservation Biology:
 A. Population Control:
 Family planning.
 ZPG
Conservation of Resources:
 Recycle Exs. Glass-Asphalt in NYC
 Reuse- use own shopping bags, cloth towels.
 Reforestation and covercropping (to reduce erosion)
 Preserving habitats-parks, nature preserves.
Sustainable Use-use resources of wilderness in ways that won’t harm
ecosystem. Exs. Brazil nuts, Rubber trees
Reintroduction Programsreleasing organisms back in to
natural habitats. Exs. Wolves-Yellow
Stone Park, Brown Pelican 507,000(Louisiana)
Use renewable energy sources.
Exs: Water, wind, solar energy.
Development of better methods to
control air and water pollution. Ex.
Scrubbers.
•
•
•
•
•
Use of Biological Controls instead of
pesticides.
Sex hormones (pheromones)
Natural parasites.
Sterilization
Helping developed and developing countries
find economic alternatives to habitat
reduction. Ex. Parks-tourists
Laws:
In recent years, new and tougher laws, which
regulate and guide the use of natural habitats,
have been enacted throughout the country.
Endangered Species Act- regulates wide
range of activities that affect threatened or
endangered plants and animals.
Fresh Water and Wetlands Acts- laws
designed to regulate the use of fresh water
and wetlands.
SEQR- NY law designed for the citizens and
community to review its environmental impact
Global Warming:
1. Due to an increase in levels of
greenhouse gases (gases that trap
and absorb infrared radiation).
Called the greenhouse effect.
2. Green house gases have
increased due to:
Deforestation
Industry
Burning of fossil fuel.
Results in the average temperature
rising, thus called global warming.
Results in:
Drowning of coastal cities
Saltwater contamination of coastal;
freshwater rivers and ground water
(drinking water) aquifers
Damage or destruction of the
ecology of coastal wetlands, salt
marshes, swamps, and bayous
Changes in precipitation patterns
and amounts
An increase in number and intensity
of hurricanes
Drought conditions in areas
presently used to grow grains
Serious loss of plant and animal life.