Download Ecosystem - Manasquan Public Schools

Chapter 19
Ecosystems
Ecosystem
All
the living and
nonliving elements in a
given place.
Ex: Marsh, coral reef,
rain forest, and a city.
Ecosystem
They
are not all the same
size.
–Ex. Can be as big as the
Earth, or as small as the
tip of your finger.
Living things are adapted
to their ecosystems.
Not Adapted
Community
All
the animals and plants
living in one area within an
ecosystem.
Several communities can be
in one ecosystem.
Members of an ecosystem can
belong to multiple
communities.
Ecological Pyramid
Ecosystem
(biggest)
Community
Population (one species)
Organism (smallest)
Balanced Ecosystems
 Balance
ecosystems remain
stable.
 Predator and prey populations
will always be in balance
 Interrelatedness
–A change or removal of one
feature in an ecosystem may
affect the entire system.
Interrelatedness
Predator vs Prey
Ecosystem Recovery
Succession
-The gradual
repopulating of a
community by different
species over a period
of time.
Succession of a Forest
Ecosystem Changes
1.Short-Term (few months)
– Quick succession
– Ex. Change in seasons
2. Long-Term (many years)
– Ex. Slow succession
– volcanic eruptions/natural forest fires
– global climate changes
– Human activities
– Introduction of nonnative species
Short-Term
Season Change
Long-term
Climate Change
Long-term
Climate Change
Long-term
Climate Change
The Jurassic Era’s Al Gore
Long-term
Human Activities
 Human
caused forest fires
 Pollution entering ecosystems
 Over development (building roads,
logging, over irrigating)
 Over hunting (bringing species
near extinction)
Long-term
Over Development
Long-term
Pollution
Long-term
Over Hunting
Long-term
Over Hunting
Long-term
Introduction of Nonnative Species
 They
may have no natural
predators to keep population in
check.
 Brings in unnatural food and
habitat competition
 They may become an unnatural
predator, and wipe out another
species.
Long-term
Introduction of a
Nonnative Species
Energy and
Resources
19.2
Need for Energy
The Earth at Night
Sources of
Energy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Fossil fuels (most common)
Sun
Wind
Alternative Sources
Water
Geothermal
Nuclear
How We Use Our
Sources
1. Fossil Fuels
 Any
carbon based fuel formed from
the remains of plant and animal life.
 Coal, oil, and natural gas
 Nonrenewable Resources
-any resource that is used faster
than it can be replaced.
 We are running out of them
 Inefficient, dirty energy source
2. Solar Power
 The
sun produces enough
energy a day, to power the USA
for one year.
 Solar power is renewable
–Any resource that can be
continually replaced.
 Harnesses
the energy by using
solar cells
 The
problem is storing the energy.
Solar Cells
3. Wind Power
Oldest
source of
alternative energy
Collected by windmills.
Very low cost.
Problem is that wind
can be unpredictable.
Wind Farms
4. Water Power
 Dams
are built on fast moving
rivers to create large holding
places for water.
 Running water spins the
turbines to generate clean
efficient hydroelectric power.
 The building of dams can be
very destructive to the near by
ecosystems.
Water’s other Source?
Is Water a Renewable
Resource?
Thirst for WATER.PPS
5.
Geothermal Energy
 The
energy from heated
steam/water within Earth’s
crust near beds of molten
magma.
 Hot steam and water are used
to turn turbines to generate
power.
 Problem is only a few areas of
the world have access to this
form of energy.
Geothermal Power
Plant
6. Nuclear Power
Use
nuclear fission.
Reaction produces
tremendous energy to heat
water to turn a turbine.
Very efficient energy
little fuel is needed
compared to coal.
No air pollution
Nuclear Power
BAD
NEWS
-radioactive waste which
can’t be disposed
-power plants only last 30
years, then need to be
completely shutdown
-fear of meltdown
Efficiency of
Energy
Energy
is lost each time it
is converted to another
form.
Fossil fuel burning plants
only 30-40% efficient.
How Can We Be More
Efficient?
Use alternative energy
 Use and Make vehicles that are more
fuel efficient.
 Make Mass Transit more available
 Use energy efficient appliances.
 Be aware about how you are using
your electricity at home.

Energy Efficient Home
Pollution and
Recycling
19.3
What is
Pollution?
Contamination
of the air,
water, or soil from:
–Litter
–Smog and smoke
–Dust and gases
–Chemicals poured out
Litter
Litter
Litter
Smog and Gases
Smog and Gases
Chemicals in the water
Pollution
Two
Types:
–natural
Volcanic
eruptions
and natural fires
–Manmade
More
common
Natural Pollution
Manmade
Air Pollution
1.
Particulates (PM)
-dust, smoke, asbestos
2.
3.
4.
CO and CO2 gases
-products of any combustible fossil fuel
NO2 and SO2
–formed from burning fossil fuels which
lead to acid rain.
VOCs and ozone
–volatile compounds that can cause
breathing and health problems
-increase in smog
Particulates
CO2 is on the rise.
The affects of acid rain
VOCs
Manmade
Water Pollution
 Water
is our most vulnerable
resource that is polluted by:
–Industrial Waste
–Pesticides (DDT)
–Fertilizers (causes Eutrophication)
–Boat oil/gasoline spills
–Pouring chemicals down a drain.
–Flushing the toilet
Industrial Waste
DDT
Eutrophication
Eutrophication
Oil Spills
Manmade
Land Pollution
Litter
Contaminants
in the
soil (Hg and Pb)
Running out of room for
our garbage.
Litter
ex. cigarettes
Garbage
The
average person
throws away a half a
ton a garbage a year.
Towns tax residents
based on how much
garbage they produce.
Where do we put our
garbage?
Reducing Pollution
Using non-fossil fuel burning efficient
energy.
 Reducing Use
– save electricity, carpool, buy less
 Reusable Products
 Recycling
– Town make money from people recycling
more, reducing taxes.
– Buy materials made from recycled
materials

Recycling
Batteries
 Paper
 Glass and cans
 Most plastics
(check for the triangle)

What else can we do?
Reuse!!!!
 Compost
 Use less plastic (green bags instead)
 Think how “Stuff Happens” after we do
things.
 Remember in the words of Bill Nye,

– WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD