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Transcript
The Role of Climate Living things adjust to their environment—up to a point Things you won’t see…. Animals have limits on how much variance from their normal conditions they can tolerate The climate is an important part of this What is Climate? In the atmosphere, temperature, precipitation, and other environmental factors combine to produce weather and climate. What is the difference? What is Climate? Weather is the day-to- day condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place. Climate refers to the average, year-afteryear conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular area. Factors that affect Climate Trapping of heat by the atmosphere Latitude Winds and Ocean Currents Precipitation Shape and Elevation of Land Masses The Greenhouse Effect Atmospheric gases trap heat energy from the sun Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor Acts like a blanket, keeping earth’s temperature within a suitable range for life The earth’s atmosphere would be 30 º C (54 ºF) cooler without greenhouse gases Sunlight takes multiple paths as it enters Earth’s atmosphere Greenhouse gases reflect infrared radiation back to earth The Effect of Latitude on Climate Why is it colder in December than it is in July? Because the earth is round Sunlight strikes earth at different angles throughout the year Climate Zones Differences in latitude cause different angles of heating Think of sitting in the sun---what parts of you get burned the most? Climate Zones Heat Transport in the Biosphere Warm air rises, cool air falls Air near equator will? Rise Air near the poles will? Sink This creates air currents, or winds Transfers heat energy throughout biosphere Heat Transport in the Biosphere Ocean currents form for the same reasons Cold water near poles sinks Warmer water rises closer to equator Winds create ocean waves and currents Surface ocean currents affect temperature of air above them Heat Transport in the Biosphere Landmasses affect winds and ocean currents Can interfere with movement of air masses Rain Shadow What shapes an Ecosystem? What Shapes an Ecosystem? Biotic and Abiotic Factors Niche The full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those conditions. Community Interactions Ecological Succession Non-living Components Includes: Air Water Sunlight Temperature Rocks Sand - Non-Living parts of the ecosystem Living Components - living and once living components of an ecosystem Includes: Dead organisms Dead parts of an organism (leaves) Waste products of an organism Interact with each other in the ecosystem Can you think of any examples of these interactions? Ecosystem Terms Habitat The area where an organism lives (its “address”) within an ecosystem Niche The function or position of an organism within an ecological community (its “occupation”) An organism’s niche includes: Feeding relationships Space and temperature requirements Impact on environment Both include biotic and abiotic factors Lynx Primary Habitat Niche of the Lynx With their long legs and large furry paws, lynx are built for hunting in deep snow. Their main food source is the snowshoe hare, but they are also known to take rodents, birds and fish. Lynx are cautious and secretive, and will avoid large open areas. They need a mosaic of stand types to den and find prey, but also need unbroken forest to provide stalking and security cover. Even when hunting, lynx prefer some cover and they typically won't cross openings more than 300 feet across. Types of Community Interactions Competition Predation Symbiosis Parasitism Commensalism Mutualism Community Interactions Competition COMPETITION is a relationship in which different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resource. A resource refers to any necessity of life, such as Water Nutrients Light Food Space Community Interactions Predation An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism Organism that does the killing-PREDATOR!!!!!!!!!! Organism that is the food is the PREY Examples: snakes eating mice, bats eating insects, whales consuming krill. Why are adaptations (like mimicry or camouflage) useful in this type of species interactions? Symbiosis- when two organisms live in close association 3 main interactions Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism A relationship where one species (the parasite) benefits from the other species (the host) and usually harms it. Difference between a parasite and a predator: Parasite spends some of its life in or on host Parasites don’t usually kill their host A close relationship between two species in which each species provides a benefit to the other. Bacteria/digestive system A relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped. Remoras/sharks Birds nesting in trees ECOLOGICAL Succession Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances. As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further changes in the community. ECOLOGICAL Succession Primary Succession Occurs on surfaces where no soil exists Ex. Volcanic eruptions Secondary Succession A disturbance of some kind changes an existing community Ex. wildfires Pioneer Species The first species to populate the area Often are lichens Break up rocks as they grow Add organic material to form soil when they die Stages of Primary Succession Secondary Succession A disturbance changes the community without removing the soil When does this happen? Clearing farmland Wildfires Mowing your yard Weeding your garden Yellowstone Fire 1988 Yellowstone 2002 Then Now Succession in a Marine Ecosystem p. 96 p. 87 Large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community . Temp. Range: -30 Celsius – 15 C (-22 - 5 F) Rainfall: Less than 20 cm/year Soil: Layer of frozen soil called permafrost; thin topsoil, lacking nutrients Short growing season, long summer days Plant Life: lichens, mosses, grasses, small bushes, dwarf shrubs, cushion plants Animal life: caribou, musk oxen, polar bears, lemmings, snowy owls, arctic foxes, mosquitoes Temp: -20-20 Celsius (-4 - 68 F) Rainfall: 30-40 cm rain/year (11-16 in) Soil: water logged, peat swamp habitat; topsoil develops from decaying coniferous needles Animal Life: Moose, weasels, mink, snowshoe hare, lynx, caribou (migrate from tundra in winter) Plant Life: Evergreen trees: spruce, fir, hemlock (also known as the BOREAL FOREST) Temp: 10-40 degrees Celsius (50-104 F) Rainfall: Less than 25 cm rain/year ( 10 in) Soil: sandy Animal Life: lizards, snakes, scorpions, mice, hawk, owl, kangaroo rat Plant Life: cacti, small bushes, mesquite trees, creosote bushes Rainfall: 25-75 cm of rain/year (10-30 in) Temp Range: 0-30 degrees Celsius (32-86 F) Occupies more area than any other terrestrial biome! Soil is rich with humus Animal Life: antelope, deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, bison, insects, birds, reptiles, foxes Plant Life: grasses, ideal for growing cereal grains: rye, oats & wheat; wildflowers Rainfall: 70-150 cm of rain/year (27-59 in) Temperature Range: -20 – 38 Celsius (4-100 F) Soil: Rich topsoil, deep layer of clay Animal Life: deer, black bear, squirrels, insects, foxes, snakes, robins, owls Plant Life: Hardwood trees that loose their leaves in the winter: hickory, maple, beech, oak Rainfall: 200-400 cm of rain/year (78-158 in) Temperature range: Remain about 25Celsius (77 F) Nutrient poor soil Animal Life: reptiles, amphibians, primates, butterflies, birds, cougars, tree frogs, cobras, pythons, bats Plant Life: Trees, ferns, mosses What is biodiversity? Every day, somewhere on Earth, a unique species of organism becomes extinct as the last member of that species dies…often because of human actions. What is biodiversity? Short for “biological diversity” Refers to the number and variety of different species in a given area. The estimated number of species range from 8 million to 50 million …why is this number so broad? Levels of Diversity Biodiversity can be studied and described at 3 different levels: Species Diversity Ecosystem Diversity Genetic Diversity Refers to all the differences between populations of species, as well as between different species. Receives the most attention Refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes within and between ecosystems. Refers to all the different genes contained within all members of a population. A gene is a piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be inherited by an organism’s offspring. Biodiversity can affect the stability of ecosystems and the sustainability of populations. Humans benefit from biodiversity Species are connected to Every species is either depended on or depended upon by at least one other species. When one species disappears, a strand in a food web is removed. Could this cause a problem? Species that are critical to the functioning of an ecosystem Sea otter/kelp population The level of genetic diversity within populations is a critical factor in species survival. Genetic variation increases the chance that some members of a population will survive environmental pressures. Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Uses Throughout history, we have used the variety of organisms on Earth for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. ¼ of medications used in U.S. are derived from plants. (ex. Antibiotic-fungi) Ethics, Aesthetics, and Recreation Ethics-some believe that ecosystems/species have a right to exist whether or not they have value Recreation/Aesthetic-pets, camping, wildlife Species with small populations in limited areas can easily become extinct Species at a high risk of extinction: Those that migrate Those that need large or special habitats Those that are exploited by humans. Endangered Species- A species that is likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediately Habitat destruction and fragmentation Invasive Exotic Species Harvesting, Hunting, and Poaching Pollution As the human population grows, we use more land to build homes and harvest resources. Habitat loss causes more than 75% of the extinctions now occurring. Ex: Florida panther, <80 An exotic species is a species that is not native to a particular region. Exotic species can threaten native species that have no natural defenses against them. Excessive harvesting and hunting can lead to extinction. (pets, houseplants, wood, food, or medicine) Laws are put into place to regulate hunting, fishing, harvesting, and trade of wildlife. If these laws are broken, then it is considered poaching. Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, and other chemicals are making their way into food webs around the globe. Ex. DDT/bald eagle Captive Breeding Programs Preserving Genetic Material Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Gardens More Study Involves breeding species in captivity, with the hopes of reintroducing populations to their natural habitats Example: California condors (habitat loss, poaching, lead poisoning) Germ plasm banks-store genetic material for research or speciesrecovery efforts Material is stored as seeds, sperm, eggs, or pure DNA The most effective way to save species is to protect their Conservation Strategies- conserve entire ECOSYSTEMS instead of a single species….WHY? U.S. Laws: Endangered Species Act (1973)-designed to protect plant and animal species in danger of extinction International Cooperation International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 200 governments, 700 private organizations CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) treaty The Earth Summit (United Nations Conference, 1992) Biodiversity Treaty-preserve biodiversity and ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countries International Cooperation Private Organizations World Wildlife Fund Nature Conservancy Conservation International Greenpeace International The important part of protecting a species is making the value of biodiversity understood by more people.