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Ecology: Energy Flow What is Ecology: scientific study of the interactions among same organisms and between other organisms and their environment I. Overview A. Organizational levels of ecology B. Tools scientists use to study ecology C. Energy Flow in Ecosystems D. Ecological Pyramids E. Cycles in Nature A. Organizational levels 1. 2. 3. 4. Organism: Species Populations: all members of the same species Communities: all populations living together. Ecosystem: community + environmental factors affecting the community in the given area. 5. Biome: all ecosystems with the same environmental conditions Biosphere B. 1. Tools used by the ecologist to study ecology: Tools can be anything (binoculars, shovels, etc) but all study fits into three basic approaches. i. Observations ii. Experimentation iii. Modeling 2. 3. 4. observations-any of the 5 senses!!! In 2002, beach pollution prompted at least 12,814 closings and swimming advisories at ocean, bay, Great Lakes, and some freshwater beaches (87%) of closings and advisories in 2002 were issued after monitoring revealed the presence of bacteria associated with fecal contamination (source unknown in most cases). http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/Coastal-Ecology/Preserves/Pollution/pollution.htm 3. Experimentatio n: from the field to the laboratory i. Counting Deer Herds. ii. Pests and their effects iii. DNA assessment. First-year Columbia University students sift through debris looking for ants during a Frontiers of Science Field experiment in Morningside Park 4. Modeling: Attempt to simulate the real conditions. i. Global warming model ii. Humidity chambers. http://ag.arizona.edu/~lmilich/antartic.gif C. Energy Flow: “sunlight is main source of energy” 1. Producers: a. Autotrophs (can build own food using suns energy) b. Use photosynthesis. c. 3% energy that hits the earth d. Store energy in sugars and other organic molecules. e. ** a few use chemical energy instead of the sun (chemobacteria) Cyanobacteria/blue-green algae Watermelon plant Carrot plant Apple trees 2. Consumers: cannot build own food! Rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply. a. Also called : heterotrophs. b. Several types including; i. Herbivore: consumes producers (cows, rodents, squirrels) ii. Carnivore: consumes herbivores or other carnivores (mountain lions, snakes and other meat eating animals) iii. Omnivore: consume both plant and animal (Bears, chimps, monkeys, humans) iv. Detritivore: consume animal and plant remains. (earthworm, snail, crab, sea gull) v. Decomposer: breaks down organic matter. (bacteria, fungi) Herbivore: consumes producers Carnivore: consumes herbivores or other carnivores Omnivore Detritivore Decomposer: 3. Usually displayed as food chains (see figure 3-7) 4. In nature, usually exists as a food web (see figure 3-8) 5. What is the difference? 6. Each step in a food chain or food web is called a “TROPHIC LEVEL” Go to Section: D. Ecological pyramids: The amount of energy or matter in each trophic level can be represented by a pyramid. i. Three different pyramids including; a. Energy pyramid b. Biomass pyramid c. Numbers pyramid d. See fig 3-9 Energy Pyramid Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms use about 10 percent of this energy for life processes. The rest is lost as heat. Go to Section: Biomass Pyramid Represents the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, the greatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid. Pyramid of Numbers Shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level. E. Cycles of Matter: Unlike energy, matter must be used over and over. (water and nutrients) 1. Water cycle: a) Evaporation b) Transpiration, perspiration c) Condensation d) Precipitation: rain, snow, sleet e) Runoff a) Seepage. b) See figure 3-11 Water Cycle Condensation Precipitation Evaporation Transpiration Runoff Seepage Root Uptake 2. Carbon cycle: key nutrient to all living systems a) All organic molecules contain carbon b) Photosynthesis, respiration c) Decomposition by bacteria and fungi’s d) Volcanic gases e) Combustion of coal and fossil fuels. f) Burning of rain forests g) See figure 3-13 Carbon Cycle CO2 in Atmosphere CO2 in Ocean Go to Section: 3. Nitrogen cycle: amino acids, ATP, DNA, and RNA all contain nitrogen. A very important nutrient. a) Nitrogen fixation: convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. This can be used by plants. b) Denitrification: convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas. c) Various decomposition by living organisms. d) See figure 3-14 Nitrogen Cycle N2 in Atmosphere NH3 NO3and NO2- 4. Phosphorus also recycles. a) Needed in DNA, ATP and RNA. b) Does not recycle through the atmosphere like others. c) See figure 3-15 in textbook. 5. Nutrient limitations: a) Growth is slowed. b) Sick Lawn…Fertilize. Ammonium sulfate(20% N), Urea(40% N) all have a percentage of Nitrogen c) Sick lake with to many nutrients: “algal bloom: figure 3-16. See picture on Assignments Kernel lab Seed lab Chapter 2 questions 1-20 Cycles in nature quick facts