What is ECOLOGY? Ecology  study of the interactions of organisms and their environments

What are two different factors that influence ecology? Biotic  includes all LIVING things in an organism’s environment

Examples of Biotic Factors Plants Animals Predators, prey Fungi (mushrooms) Bacteria

What are two different factors that influence ecology? 2. Abiotic  NONLIVING chemical and physical factors to which an organism is exposed 

5 Major Abiotic Factors Temperature  animals must regulate their own temperature despite environment Water  essential for life, needs to be balanced and conserved Sunlight  animals are sensitive to day lengths

5 Major Abiotic Factors Wind  increases heat loss & transpiration, can affect growth 5. Rocks and Soil  structure, pH, mineral composition

How does climate determine where organisms will be distributed? Climate: dominant weather conditions at a certain place averaged over time

How does climate determine where organisms will be distributed? 1) Determines biomes (major types of ecosystems) desert vs. rain forest 2) Species’ tolerances to water, temperature, and sunlight ranges can determine where that species will live 

Bell Ringer 3/4/2013 Define the following terms and give an example: Abiotic Example) Biotic

Abiotic NON-LIVING factor in environment Weather, soil, water, sunlight Biotic LIVING factor in environment Plants, animals, bacteria

Biomes

BIOME: One of Earth’s large ecosystems Contains: Specific climate, soil, plants, and animals.

Six major biomes Taiga Deciduous forest Tropical rain forest Desert Tundra Grassland

Taiga (Coniferous Forest) A cool forest biome of conifers in the upper Northern Hemisphere

Animals of the Taiga Rodents, snowshoe hares, lynx, caribou, bears, wolves

Biomes Video Review Summarize what you learned in the video about life in the Taiga Forest Include ADAPTATIONS of animals and plants in this biome

TAIGA Plant & Animal Adaptations Thick fur (cold!) Camouflage (white-blend in with snow!) Migration (go to warmer climate in winter) Hibernation Evergreen needles (conserve water) Waxy leaf coating (conserve water)

Deciduous Forest A forest biome with many kinds of trees that lose their leaves each fall (Greensboro!)

Animals of the Deciduous Forest Wolves, deer, bears, squirrels, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insects

DECIDUOUS FOREST Plant & Animal Adaptations Plants-large leaves (catch more sunlight for photosynthesis) Deciduous plants (lose leaves during fall/winter) Animals eat A LOT during summer Hibernation Migration to warmer climates

Tropical Rain Forest A hot, humid biome near the equator, with much rainfall and a wide variety of life equator

Animals of the Rain Forest More species of insects, reptiles, and amphibians than any place else; monkeys, other small and large mammals, including in some places elephants, all sorts of colorful birds

Biomes Video Review Summarize what you learned in the video about the layers of the Rainforest Include ADAPTATIONS of animals and plants in this biome

TROPICAL RAIN FOREST Plant & Animal Adaptations Tall trees (reach sunlight) Brightly colored flowers Flowers imitate pollinators Animal defenses Camouflage Poison Look like another animal (mimicry)

Desert A sandy or rocky biome, with little precipitation and little plant life

Animals of the Desert Rodents, snakes, lizards, tortoises The Sahara Desert in Africa is home to camels, gazelles, antelopes, small foxes, snakes, lizards, and gerbils

Biomes Video Review Summarize what you learned in the video about the ADAPTATIONS of animals that live in the desert

Biomes Video Review Summarize what you learned in the video about the impact of sun and heat in the desert

DESERT Plant & Animal Adaptations Storage of water Conserve water Smaller bodies, larger ears to radiate heat

Tundra A cold biome of the far north; the ground is frozen (permafrost) even in summer

Animals of the Tundra Caribou, arctic foxes, weasels, snowshoe hares, owls, hawks, rodents, occasional polar bear.

Biomes Video Review Summarize what you learned in the video about PREDATORS and PREY in the Artic Tundra

TUNDRA Plant & Animal Adaptations Hibernation Thick fur Layer of body fat Burrowing (storage of food) Plants Grow low to ground Small

Grassland A biome where grasses, NOT trees, are the main plant life. Examples) Prairies Savannahs

Grassland animals American Grasslands (Prairies): Prairie dogs, foxes, small mammals, snakes, insects, various birds

Grassland animals African Grasslands: Elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes

GRASSLANDS Plant & Animal Adaptations Plants Adaptations to fire Large root systems (find water!) Animal grazers Burrowing