Part 3 – Chapter 4: Ecosystems & Communities ECOLOGY Part 3 – Chapter 4: Ecosystems & Communities

Ecosystem: interactions among populations in a community Consists of: A community of organisms The soil, water, and weather Energy

Niche: the role and position a species has in its environment What it eats Where it eats When it eats

The physical location in which a given species lives. Habitat: The physical location in which a given species lives.

Population: a group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.

Community: A group of organisms of different species living together in a particular place.

How energy flows . . . Sun - main source of energy Autotrophs / producers… can make their own food Heterotrophs / consumers… must eat other organisms Decomposers / saprophytes… fungi & bacteria break down dead materials

How Energy Flows …. Autotrophs/Producers Photosynthesis: (12:27 minutes)

Dead Stuff; It’s What’s for Dinner: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/dead-stuff-the-secret-ingredient-in-our-food-chain-john-c-moore (3:51 min)

Competition (pg. 100) Predator – Prey Relationships Predation – one animal captures and feeds on another animal Predators can affect the size of prey populations in a community and determine the places prey can live and feed. Example: birds of prey.

Competition (pg. 100) Herbivore – Plant Relationships Herbivory – interaction in which one animal (H) feeds on producers (P)

Keystone Species Keystone Species – single species that is not usually abundant in a community yet exerts strong control on the structure of a community. Examples:

Mutualism – both benefit (Insects & Plants) Symbiosis: close association between two or more organisms of different species. Commensalism - one benefits, one isn’t affected (Whale & Barnacles) Parasitism – one benefits, one is harmed (Ticks & Dogs) Mutualism – both benefit (Insects & Plants)

Chapter 4.3 Succession – changes over time Ecological Succession – a series of changes that occur in a community over time. Ecosystems change over time, especially after disturbances, as some species die out and new species move in. Number of different species increases.

Primary succession – gradual growth of an ecosystem over a long period of time. Example: Rock -> Lichen -> moss -> grass -> shrub -> tree -> vines

Succession: Pioneer species – first species in an area

Secondary succession Previously supported vegetation – sequence of life after natural disasters Examples: Forest fires, glaciers, avalanches, flood, hurricane, tsunami, tornadoes 1988 forest fire in Yellowstone Nat’l Park

Climax Community – shows little or no change over time.

4.4 Biomes (pg. 110)

Biome - a major ecosystem that shares the same type of climate and has similar life forms. Salt water Freshwater Estuary - (mix of salt and fresh water) Terrestrial (dry land)

CLIMATOGRAM - Measures two things: Average Temperature Average Precipitation

Adaptation: the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment. Coloration Speed Migration Thick fur Chemical defenses Hibernation/ Estivation Size Thorns and stickers

1. Canopy 2. Understory 3. Ground Tropical Rain Forest Arboreal - tree-dwelling animals, camouflage. Trees / Plants: large leaves, roots. 1. Canopy 2. Understory 3. Ground

Desert Estivation - sleeping during hot days. Plants have waxy leaves, spines, conserve water. Most desert animals are nocturnal, regulate body temperature.

Grasslands (Temperate – plains/prairies; woodland/shrubland; Tropical –Savanna/shrubland) Plants have underground stems/survive fires, grow from their base, not tips. Animals – browsers; have good vision, speed, use camouflage, and burrowing.

Temperate / Deciduous Forest Animals Plants Broad-leaved trees lose their leaves yearly. Hibernate, some migrate or use camouflage in the winter.

Taiga / Boreal Coniferous Forest Conifers - cone-bearing trees, bending branches, needles, dark green color. Animals also have thick fur / body fat.

Tundra (Alpine and Arctic) Permafrost - permanently frozen ground, soggy in summer. Plants - short roots; fast growing; perennials. Animals - thick fur, body fat, coloration, migrate.

Biome Comparisons

Which biome is South Dakota?

Aquatic Biomes Freshwater – Ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, wetlands.

Marine – Oceans, coral reefs, estuaries.

Review

The End!