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CHAPTER 52
An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
Ecology: the scientific study of the interactions
between organisms and the environment

The ecological study of species involves
biotic and abiotic influences.
 Biotic
= living (organisms – behaviors &
interactions between organisms)
 Abiotic
= nonliving (temp, water, salinity,
sunlight, soil)
Heirarchy
Organisms
 Population: group of individuals of same
species living in a particular geographic area
 Community: group of populations
of different species in an area
 Ecosystem: community of organisms
+ physical factors
 Landscape: mosaic of connected ecosystems
 Biosphere: global ecosystem

Biomes: major types of ecosystems that occupy
very broad geographic regions
Climate and elevation determine biomes
Tropical Forest
Desert
Savanna
Chaparral
Temperate Grassland
Northern Coniferous Forest
Temperate Broadleaf Forest
Tundra
Lakes
Wetlands
Streams & Rivers
Estuaries
Intertidal Zones
Oceanic Pelagic Zone
(Open Water)
Coral Reefs
Marine Benthic Zone
Day 1 STOP

Biome Grid:
 Your
Textbook: Ch. 52: 1159 – 1169
 Bio In Focus: Ch. 40: 5: 824 – 829
 On-line textbook
 Front Tables = terrestrial
 Back Tables = aquatic
 Ea. student gets 1 – 2 biomes (share with table when done)
 Will share with tables next day
Climate: long-term prevailing weather conditions
in a particular area

Climate = temp. + precip. + sunlight + wind

Macroclimate vs. Microclimate:
 Macro:
work at seasonal, regional or local level
 Micro: small-scale environmental variation
(Ex: under a log)

Climate change (∆):
 Can
alter ecosystems
 Some species may not survive shifting ranges
Global Climate Patterns:
Sunlight intensity

Curvature creates variation

Tropics: more heat & light
 Mostly

direct hit
Higher Lat.: oblique angle
 More
diffuse (less energy)
Global Climate Patterns:
Air Circulation & Precipitation Patterns
Global Climate Patterns:
Air Circulation & Precipitation Patterns

Driving Force: Intense Solar Radiation @ equator

High Tropic Temp: cause water to evaporate
 Creates
warm and wet air masses (which rise) BLUE arrows
 Flows toward the poles (high altitudes)

Dry Descension @ 30° creating and arid climate
 Deserts

common at this latitude
Trade winds: name after their location of origin
 Tropics:
flow west
Temperate: flow east
Global Climate Patterns:
Air Circulation & Precipitation Patterns
Global Climate Patterns:
Ocean Currents
Global Climate Patterns:
Ocean Currents

Gyre: circulation/spiral motion

Water = warmer @ the equator
 Flows
North and South (towards poles) in both directions

Cooling Effect = brings the water back

Trade winds connection
Global Climate Patterns:
Ocean Currents
Global Climate Patterns:
Mountains affect rainfall
Global Climate Patterns:
Mountains affect rainfall

1) Cool air blows inward from water
 Moderates

2) Windward side: air encounters mountains  rises
 Cools

temperatures near shoreline
at high altitudes, releases precipitation
3) Leeward side = less precipitation (dryer)
 “Rain-shadow”
Climograph: plot of temperature precipitation in
a particular region
Biogeography: geographic distribution of species

Factors:
 Dispersal:
movement away from area of origin
 Behavior:
habitat selection
 Biotic
factors: other species, food resources,
competition, pollinators, predators
 Abiotic
factors – temp, water, oxygen, salinity,
sunlight, rocks & soil