Habitat: The place where an organism lives. (Address) Niche: The role a species plays in the community. It includes the space, food, and other conditions needed to reproduce and survive. (Occupation)

Describe the habitat and niche of the following: • A bat • A mushroom • A puffin

The Hydrologic Cycle (A Fancy way of saying the water cycle) Water returns to the atmosphere through: evaporation transpiration (loss of water from the pores in leaves)

The Carbon Cycle The element carbon is present in all organic molecules (in living things), including sugars, lipids and proteins. There is a cycling of carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere into living things.

Carbon Cycle: Photosynthesis Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide (CO2) in order to produce the sugar glucose (C6H12O6). Photosynthesis: 6 CO2 + 12 H2O  C6H12O6 (glucose sugar) + 6 O2 + 6 H2O (requires energy from the sun)

Combustion Cellular Respiration: C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6CO2 + 6H2O The process in which organisms break down glucose sugar (C6H12O6 ) or other food molecules using oxygen. Carbon dioxide is released. This process is really controlled combustion. It releases the energy stored in sugar for the cell’s energy needs. C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6CO2 + 6H2O Combustion The burning of organic matter (wood, fossil fuels) produces carbon dioxide.

Carbon Cycle Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOs6azqBp6s 

Discuss with your table partner: The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased over the past century. Name two human activities that are increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. (Review the different process that use or give off carbon dioxide.)

2 Ways that humans are increasing the CO2 levels in the atmosphere: Increased burning of fossil fuels. Increased deforestation Fewer trees to utilize CO2 from the atmosphere in photosynthesis.

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is an element that is found in organic molecules (molecules in living things), including DNA and protein. Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78% of the atmosphere. But it is in a form that cannot be used by most organisms.

Certain bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogen Certain bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrogen. This process is called nitrogen fixing. This usable nitrogen in the soil can then be utilized by plants and passed through the food chain.

Many farmers grow cover crops, like fava beans or clover, on their fields to improve the health of the soil. How do these crops help? These plants have nodules on their roots where nitrogen fixing bacteria live. The bacteria increases the nitrogen content of the soil which helps the plants to grow.

Eutrophication: To much of a good thing Eutrophication is the addition of excess nutrients to an aquatic system Fertilizers- N and P Detergents- P Organic waste (manure, sewage) Algal bloom: excessive growth of algae when the normally limiting nutrients (N or P) are increased

Nitrogen Cycle Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylSUkvhTz5I

Dissolved Oxygen Levels Drop -decomposers use O2 Eutrophication Cont. Decomposition by oxygen-using bacteria Algal bloom decomposition because excessive growth of algae blocks light and some of algae dies off. Organic waste can be used directly as food by decomposers Dissolved Oxygen Levels Drop -decomposers use O2 Can result in fish kills and decline of other species

Eutrophication Animation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGqZsSuG7ao

Puget Sound Dead Zones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JTxVxL_yFM

Organisms living together in a close and permanent association. Symbiosis: Organisms living together in a close and permanent association. 3 Types of Symbiosis: Mutualism: A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit.

Symbiotic Relationships Commensalism: A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other is not harmed.

Symbiotic Relationships Parasitism: A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits but the other is harmed.

The clownfish is protected by the sea anemone The clownfish is protected by the sea anemone. The anemone benefits by improved water circulation. Which type of symbiotic relationship do these 2 species have? Mutualism

Explain the difference between mutualism and commensalism Explain the difference between mutualism and commensalism. In mutualism, both species benefit. Whereas in commensalism, the second species neither benefits nor is harmed. Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism

Introduced Species (also known as invasive or non-native or exotic or non-indigeneous) May be: Deliberate or Accidental Many species not well suited to new environment and do not survive Some species thrive in new environment. Especially if no predator present May cause environmental damage - overgraze vegetation -cause extinction of species

NBC News – Potential Invasive Species from Tsunami Debris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ddKDCwfZTs

Invasive species are the second leading cause (after habitat destruction) of extinctions of native species. Examples: Kudzu in the Southeastern US Cane Toads in Australia Zebra Mussels in the Great Lakes