Download 1. Organismal Ecology Ways the individual meets

AN INTRODUCTION
TO ECOLOGY AND
THE BIOSPHERE
•Ecology is the Study of
Interactions Between
Organisms and the
Environment
Distribution of the Red
Kangaroo in Australia
What are the different
subfields of ecology or
levels of organization?
Biosphere
Biome
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Species
A View of the Biosphere
From Space
Subfields of Ecology:
1. Organismal Ecology

Ways the individual
meets challenges
posed by the
environment
2. Population Ecology

Factors that affect
population size and
composition.
3. Community Ecology

Involves
predator/prey
relationships,
competition and
disease.
4. Ecosystem Ecology

Energy flow,
chemical cycling,
primary
productivity.
Rachel
Carson
Most
Famous
Book:
Silent
Spring
•Interactions Between
Organisms Limit the
Distribution of Species
•Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Influence the Structure
And Dynamics of Aquatic
Biomes
What types of abiotic
factors affect the
biosphere?
Abiotic Factors of the
Biosphere:
temperature
 water
 sunlight
 wind
 rocks and soil
 periodic disturbances (e.g.
tornadoes, hurricanes…)

Figure 50.5 Flowchart of factors limiting geographic distribution
Seasonal Variation
•Climate Largely
Determines the
Distribution and Structure
of Terrestrial Biomes
Deciduous Forest
Grassland
Savanna
Chaparral/Temperate
Woodland and Shrubland
Tundra
Tropical
Rain Forest
Coniferous Forest/Taiga
Desert
What mountain ranges would be
in the same locations in S. California?
Rain Shadow

Consider a coastal mountain range
•Windward side of the mountain

Winds rise

Release moisture
•Leeward side

Dry winds subside

Existing water evaporates rarely rains

Rain shadow
Global Wind Patterns
Aquatic Biomes
Aquatic Life Zones

Plankton
•Important community in fresh water and
salt water


Phytoplankton - Algae

Zooplankton - Animals
Life Zones
•Littoral zone - Closest to shore
•Limnetic zone – Areas too deep to
support plants
•Profundal zone - Below light penetration
•Benthic zone - Soil-Water interface
Oligotrophic Eutrophic
Lake
Lake
Neritic Zone – over the continental shelf
Abyssal Zone – deepest
regions of the ocean
Pelagic Zone – open water