Ecology Notes

Ecology

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the and things that surround an organism.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and things that surround an organism.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and abiotic things that surround an organism.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and abiotic things that surround an organism. Biotic: living or once living things

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and abiotic things that surround an organism. Biotic: living or once living things Ex. Animals, plants, decaying material, etc.

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and abiotic things that surround an organism. Biotic: living or once living things Ex. Animals, plants, decaying material, etc. Abiotic: things that were never living

Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment or surroundings. The environment consists of the biotic and abiotic things that surround an organism. Biotic: living or once living things Ex. Animals, plants, decaying material, etc. Abiotic: things that were never living Ex. Rocks, temperature, water, etc.

Ecosystem

Ecosystem A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, environment.

Ecosystem A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, environment. Ex.

Ecosystem A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, environment. Ex. A local pond and all the organisms and materials in it

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Part of an organism’s niche (role in an ecosystem) is its mode of nutrition.

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Part of an organism’s niche (role in an ecosystem) is its mode of nutrition. Autotroph or Producer:

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Part of an organism’s niche (role in an ecosystem) is its mode of nutrition. Autotroph or Producer: Organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce food

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Part of an organism’s niche (role in an ecosystem) is its mode of nutrition. Autotroph or Producer: Organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce food Ex.

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Part of an organism’s niche (role in an ecosystem) is its mode of nutrition. Autotroph or Producer: Organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce food Ex. Plants, algae, bacteria

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Heterotroph:

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Heterotroph: Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Heterotroph: Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply Consumers:

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Heterotroph: Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply Consumers: another name for heterotrophs because they need to consume other organisms for energy

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Herbivores Obtain energy by eating only plants Ex. Cows, caterpillars and deer

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Carnivores Organisms that eat animals Ex. Snakes, dogs, owls

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Omnivores Animals that eat both plants and animals Ex. Humans, bears, crows

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Detritivores Feed on plant and animal remains, and other dead matter Ex. Mites, earthworms, snails, crabs

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Key idea: Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to the to the to the . Along the way chemical energy gets degraded into heat that is lost to the atmosphere and can’t be used by organisms.

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Key idea: Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to the producers to the to the . Along the way chemical energy gets degraded into heat that is lost to the atmosphere and can’t be used by organisms.

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Key idea: Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to the producers to the herbivores to the . Along the way chemical energy gets degraded into heat that is lost to the atmosphere and can’t be used by organisms.

Part 1: Energy Flow in Ecosystems Key idea: Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction, from the sun to the producers to the herbivores to the carnivores . Along the way chemical energy gets degraded into heat that is lost to the atmosphere and can’t be used by organisms.

Food chain:

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten.

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # Trophic Level

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Each organism or link in the food chain is called a or feeding level. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer QuaternaryConsumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Each organism or link in the food chain is called a trophic or feeding level. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Each organism or link in the food chain is called a trophic or feeding level. Food chains usually have 2-5 trophic levels. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer

Food chain: series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating or being eaten. Each organism or link in the food chain is called a trophic or feeding level. Food chains usually have 2-5 trophic levels. Arrows always point to the organism receiving the energy. Organism Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Trophic level # 1 2 3 4 5 Trophic Level Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer

The producer, or , occupies the trophic level of a food chain.

The producer, or autotroph. , occupies the The producer, or autotroph , occupies the trophic level of a food chain.

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain.

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain.

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Grasshopper

The producer, or autotroph The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Grasshopper The secondary consumer, or , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The secondary consumer, or The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Grasshopper The secondary consumer, or first level carnivore , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The secondary consumer, or The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Grasshopper The secondary consumer, or first level carnivore , occupies the third trophic level in the food chain.

The secondary consumer, or The producer, or autotroph , occupies the first trophic level of a food chain. Ex. Grass The primary consumer, or herbivore , occupies the second trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Grasshopper The secondary consumer, or first level carnivore , occupies the third trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Frog

The tertiary consumer, or. , occupies the The tertiary consumer, or , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Snake

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Snake The quaternary consumer, or , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Snake The quaternary consumer, or third level carnivore , occupies the trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Snake The quaternary consumer, or third level carnivore , occupies the fifth trophic level in the food chain.

The tertiary consumer, or second level carnivore , occupies the fourth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Snake The quaternary consumer, or third level carnivore , occupies the fifth trophic level in the food chain. Ex. Hawk

Food Webs

Food Webs A network of all the possible food chains in a given ecosystem

Food Webs A network of all the possible food chains in a given ecosystem Food webs take into consideration the varied diets of organisms.

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk

Food Webs Blue Jay Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk

Food Webs Blue Jay Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Deer Wolf

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Blue Jay Skunk Deer Wolf

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Blue Jay Skunk Deer Wolf

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Blue Jay Skunk Raccoon Deer Wolf

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Blue Jay Skunk Raccoon Deer Wolf

Food Webs Grass  Grasshopper  Frog  Snake  Hawk Blue Jay Skunk Raccoon Deer Fox Wolf

Rule of 10%

Rule of 10% Only about 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level

Rule of 10% Only about 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level

Rule of 10% Only about 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level Energy Transferred

Rule of 10% Only about 10% of the energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level Energy Lost Heat Energy Transferred

Pyramid of Energy 1% 10% 100% Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumer .1% 1% Secondary Consumer 10% Primary Consumer 100% Producer

Pyramid of Energy The amount of energy available to each trophic level decreases as you move up the food chain. This is because an organism uses most of the energy it takes in or loses it as heat. It only stores 10%, which is available to the consumer.

Pyramid of Numbers 10 100 1000 Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers 1000 Producers

Pyramid of Biomass 10 g 100 g 1000 g Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumers 100 g Primary Consumers 1000 g Producers

Pyramids Top consumers have to eat a lot of organisms from the trophic level below it to get enough energy to survive. Because of this great need to eat, each level can support fewer and fewer individuals.

Problems in the Food Chain Biological magnification:

Problems in the Food Chain Biological magnification: when concentrations of a harmful substance increase in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web

Problems in the Food Chain Biological magnification: when concentrations of a harmful substance increase in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web Top consumers have to eat a lot of organisms from the trophic level below it to get enough energy to survive.

Problems in the Food Chain Biological magnification: when concentrations of a harmful substance increase in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web Top consumers have to eat a lot of organisms from the trophic level below it to get enough energy to survive. Because of this great need to eat, each level can support fewer and fewer individuals.

Biological Magnification

Nutrient Cycling in Organisms Key ideas:

Nutrient Cycling in Organisms Key ideas: Unlike energy, which flows in one direction in an ecosystem, matter is recycled or within and between ecosystems. It just is changes into new forms.

Nutrient Cycling in Organisms Key ideas: Unlike energy, which flows in one direction in an ecosystem, matter is recycled or passed around within and between ecosystems. It just is changes into new forms.

Nutrient Cycling in Organisms Key ideas: Unlike energy, which flows in one direction in an ecosystem, matter is recycled or passed around within and between ecosystems. It just is changes into new forms. Every living organism needs nutrients, a form of matter, to build tissues and carry out essential life functions

Nutrients

Nutrients All the chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life

Nutrients All the chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life Ex.

Nutrients All the chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life Ex. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus

Nutrients All the chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life Ex. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus As we will see, some nutrients cycle quickly. Other nutrients are “tied up” in rocks, soil, oceans, or air.

Water Cycle Why do organisms need water? Many chemical reactions that occur in cells take place in water or use water (ex. Photosynthesis) Helps bring down temperatures that rise as a result of different chemical reactions within cells (ex. Metabolism)

Water Cycle Water leaves the earth by: Transpiration-loss of water from a plant through its leaves Evaporation-process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas

Water Cycle Water returns to the earth by: Precipitation

Carbon Cycle Why do organisms need carbon? Carbon is a key ingredient in living tissue and is involved in many chemical reactions

Carbon Cycle Carbon leaves the atmosphere: Through photosynthesis

Carbon Cycle Carbon enters the atmosphere: Cellular respiration Burning organic material

Remember Photosynthesis: Equation: 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 Compounds: Carbon dioxide and water yields glucose and oxygen Cellular Respiration: Equation: C6H12O6 + 6O  6CO2 + 6H2O Compounds: Glucose and oxygen yields carbon dioxide and water light

Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need nitrogen?

Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need nitrogen? Needed to make amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins

Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need nitrogen? Needed to make amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins Problem: 78% of the nitrogen is in the form of nitrogen gas, which organisms can’t use.

Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need nitrogen? Needed to make amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins Problem: 78% of the nitrogen is in the form of nitrogen gas, which organisms can’t use. Solution:

Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need nitrogen? Needed to make amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins Problem: 78% of the nitrogen is in the form of nitrogen gas, which organisms can’t use. Solution: Certain types of bacteria go through nitrogen fixation to make it usable

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation:

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation: the process of converting gaseous nitrogen into ammonia and then ammonia into nitrates and nitrates

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation: the process of converting gaseous nitrogen into ammonia and then ammonia into nitrates and nitrates Flow of nitrogen:

Problems with Nutrient Cycling Water Cycle Acid rain: acidic precipitation averaging a pH of 4.0-4.5 Chemical cause: Nitrogen and sulfur compounds in the atmosphere combine with water molecules to form nitric and sulfuric acids Sources: Burning of fossil fuels Environmental Impact: Kills plants by damaging leaves, changes the pH of soils and groundwater Prevention: Decrease activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels

Problems with Nutrient Cycling Carbon Cycle Global Warming: increase in the global temperature on the earth due to an increase in greenhouse gases, which trap heat radiated from the Earth Chemical causes: Increased CO2, methane, and water vapor Sources: Burning fossil fuels, cutting down trees and developing over natural areas, increase in cattle raising Environmental impact: Rise in sea levels, coastal flooding, more droughts in interior land areas Prevention: Similar to water cycle; eat less beef and save the rain forest

Problems with Nutrient Cycling Nitrogen Cycle Eutrophication: increase in the amount of nutrients in bodies of water Chemical cause: Increased levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients Sources: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides Prevention: Avoid use of these chemicals Environmental impact: Algal bloom causing the death of organisms in smaller bodies of water

Review Key Idea Energy flows in one direction, while nutrients are cycled.