An Introduction to Ecosystems SNC 1DI

Unit Objectives By the end of this unit, I should be able to: – Understand the similarities and differences between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems – Identify the relationships between organisms in an ecosystem – Identify factors that control the carrying capacity of an ecosystem – Understand how matter cycles through an ecosystem – Interpret qualitative and quantitative data about ecosystems – Discuss the impact of human activities on ecosystems and how they affect the sustainability – Evaluate the effectiveness of courses of action taken to remedy negative actions

An Introduction to Ecosystems Ecology: The study of how organisms interact with each other as well as their environment Ecosystems: System in which living things (biotic) interact with each other and non-living things (abiotic) Biotic factors – animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, algae Abiotic factors – rocks, air, water, temperature, hours of daylight The more biotic factors an ecosystem has, the more biodiverse it is High levels of biodiversity are associated with a healthy, sustainable ecosystem

The Levels of Organization Biosphere Biome Ecosystem Community Population Species

The Biosphere The biosphere is the part of the planet where life exists including: – Water (hydrosphere) – Air (atmosphere) – Land (lithosphere)

Atmosphere: Layer of gases that surround the Earth Examples of gases are: oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, ozone Lithosphere: Earth’s solid outer layer Extends 100 km down from the surface Includes soil which is home to many organisms, plants, and animals Hydrosphere: All the water on the Earth About 97% of water is salt water All living things need water

Biomes Biospheres are made up of biomes Biomes: – A large geographical region that contains similar ecosystems Generally characterized by types of plants and animals living there and also average temperature and precipitation There are two main groups of biomes – terrestrial and aquatic In Canada, there are five major terrestrial biomes

Terrestrial Biomes Deciduous Forest

Terrestrial Biomes Boreal Forest (Taiga)

Terrestrial Biomes Tundra

Terrestrial Biomes Grasslands

Terrestrial Biomes Temperate Coniferous Forest

Aquatic Biomes Marine (salt-water)

Aquatic Biomes Freshwater

Ecosystems Biomes are made up of smaller ecosystems Some biomes are more biodiverse than others If a biome has a lot of biodiversity, it has many communities made up of populations of different species

Community Made up of populations of different species that live and interact in an area i.e. park – contains squirrels, robins, trees, shrubs Population A group of members of the same species that live in the same area Species A group of similar organisms in an ecosystem Members can reproduce with each other Habitat The physical environment of an organism – where they live Niche The role or way of life of a species within its environment The job of the organism Example All grey squirrels are part of the same species but they are not all part of the same population. They may have different habitats which means one population might live in a forest while another population might live in a field. Pg. 21 #1-15