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Introduction to Ecology Understanding the interdependence of organisms… Infer the relationship between our planet and ecology Brainstorm 3 examples of the interdependence of organisms on earth….. Ecology The study of the interactions between organisms and the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of their environment!! BRAINSTORM… What are THREE human-caused environmental problems?? Start your outline…. I. Human Caused Environmental Problems A. Exploding Human Population B. Thinning Ozone Layer C. Climate change A. Exploding Human Population requires incr. amts. Of energy, food, space, area for disposal of waste Causes disease in many species become extinct (habitat destruction, overhunting, introduced disease and predators) Scientist estimate @ 1/5 of the species in world may disappear in the next century!! B. Thinning Ozone Layer Protects organisms by absorbing UV radiation from sun Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) react with ozone destroying it 1985 British scientists discovered an “ozone hole” over Antartica treaty in 1992 to ban CFC’s By 1996 @ 50% of maximum density of Antartica’s ozone has been depleted! Result = 1% UV gets throughsunburns, skin cancers! C. Climate Change Greenhouse Effect: is influenced by the burning of fossil fuels causing an increase in CO2 in our atmosphere trapping heat resulting in “global warming” Continue outline… II. Different Levels of Organization A. biosphere B. Ecosystem C. Community D. population E. Organism A. Biosphere Broadest 5-6 miles above Earth’s surface (like skin on an apple) Thin volume of earth and it’s atmosphere that supports life! B. Ecosystem Living and non living within the biosphere in a particular place ex: pond C. Community ONLY organisms ALL the interacting organisms living in an area Ex: ALL organisms living in a pond! D. Population Includes all members of a single species that live in one place at one time. E. Organism Research focuses on the adaptations that allow organisms to overcome the challenges of their environment… Water Bear!!! This organism has unbelievable survival ability, can adapt to extreme conditions This potential life form could have come from space!! MARS???? Lives in the water Eats plants microscopic III. Responses to a changing environment… A. Tolerance Curve: performance of organisms at different temp. (optimal range = BEST) Responses to a changing environment… B. Acclimation: some organisms can adjust their tolerance to abiotic factors through acclimation ex: humans can adjust to high elevations IV. Control of Internal Conditions… dealing w/fluctuation in temp., light, salinity… 1. Conformers = do not regulate their internal conditions, they change as their external envir. Changes ex: desert lizards 2. Regulators = control some of their internal conditions ex: humans V. Escape from Unsuitable Conditions 1. Dormancy = state of reduced activity during unfavorable environmental conditions 2. Migration = move to a more favorable habitat ex: birds Resources Energy and material species needs Ex: food, energy, nesting sites, water, sunlight VI. Niche Way of life, role the species plays in it’s environment Includes: Range of conditions it can tolerate Method of obtaining resources # of offspring Time of reproduction Time it eats Time its active Niche (2 kinds) 1. fundamental niche = range of conditions species can potentially tolerate and range of resources it can potentially use 2. realized niche = range of resources a species actually uses VII. Niche Difference species niche can change within a single generation ex: butterflies/caterpillars 1. Generalists: species with broad niches can tolerate a range of conditions and use a variety of resources ex: Virginia opossum (eats everything, eggs, dead animals, fruits and plants 2. Specialist: species with narrow niches ex: koala! Virginia Opossum Koala!!