Ecology and The Biosphere

Abiotic vs. Biotic l Abiotic (nonliving) l temperature l light l water l nutrients l wind l disturbance l Biotic (living) l other individuals of the same species l individuals of different species (predators, prey, parasites)

Climate l The prevailing weather conditions at a location which includes: l temperature l water l light l wind

Solar Radiation and Latitude l At Equinox l sunlight hits equator directly l low angle of light as you move toward poles

Global Climate Patterns

Solar Radiation and Latitude l At Solstice l June (Northern Hemisphere tilts toward sun) l December (Northern Hemisphere tilts away from sun)

Global Climate Patterns

l solar radiation at equator l air circulation l tropics l global l wind patterns

Local Effects on Climate

Local and Seasonal Effects on Climate l Mountains (Rain shadow) l Bodies of Water l Ocean Currents

Aquatic Biomes

Vertical Stratification Of Aquatic Biomes l Photic Zone l Aphotic Zone l Thermocline l Benthic Zone

Freshwater Biomes l Eutrophic lakes l Oligotrophic lakes l Mesotrophic lakes l Rivers and streams l Wetlands l Estuary

Marine Biomes l Intertidal zones l Coral reefs l Oceanic pelagic l Benthos

Terrestrial Biomes

l Tropical Forests l Thorn l Deciduous l Rain forests l Savannas l Grasslands l Deserts l Chaparral l Coastal Sage Scrub l Temperate Deciduous Forests l Taiga l Tundra

Tropical Rain Forest l The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees l An average of 50 to 260 inches (125 to 660 cm.) of rain falls yearly. l The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F (34 °C) or drops below 68 °F (20 °C);

Tropical Rain Forest

Savannahs l A savanna is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees l Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. l Savannas have warm temperature year round and two very different seasons l long dry season (winter) – 4 inches of rain l very wet season (summer). In the summer there is lots of rain.

Savannahs

Grasslands l Grassland biomes are large, rolling terrains of grasses, flowers and herbs. l Latitude, soil and local climates for the most part determine what kinds of plants grow l Grasslands are a region where the average annual precipitation is great enough to support grasses, and in some areas a few trees. l The precipitation is so erratic that drought and fire prevent large forests from growing.

Grasslands

Deserts l Less than 10 inches of rain a year l Hot Deserts l Cold Deserts

Deserts

Chaparral l Chaparral is characterized as being very hot and dry. l Temperature l the winter is very mild and is usually about 10 °C. l the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts are very common.

Coastal Sage Scrub l Coastal sage scrub is characterized as being very hot and dry. l Temperature l the winter is very mild and is usually about 10 °C. l the summer. It is so hot and dry at 40 °C that fires and droughts are very common.

Chapparal Coastal Sage Scrub

Temperate Deciduous Forest l Deciduous forests can be found in the eastern half of North America l The average annual temperature in a deciduous forest is 50° F. The average rainfall is 30 to 60 inches a year.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Taiga l The taiga is the biome of the needleleaf forest. l Taiga is the Russian word for forest and is the largest biome in the world. l The winters in the taiga are very cold with only snowfall. l The summers are warm, rainy, and humid. l A lot of coniferous trees grow in the taiga. l The taiga is also known as the boreal forest.

Taiga

Tundra l Tundra means a barren land. l The ground is permanently frozen 10 inches to 3 feet (25 to 100 cm) down so that trees can't grow there. l rocky ground can only support low growing plants like mosses, heaths, and lichen. l In the winter it is cold and dark and in the summer, when the snow and the top layer of permafrost melt, it is very soggy

Tundra

Organismal Ecology l Regulators and Conformers l Principle of allocation

Short Term Responses l Physiological Responses l Acclimation l Morphological Responses l Behavioral Responses

Acclimation l A shift in an organism’s tolerance to fit a changing environ- ment

Trophic Levels

Food Web

Primary Productivity l The amount of light energy that is converted into chemical energy l Often expressed as biomass

Pyramid of Net Productivity

Secondary Productivity l The rate at which an ecosystem converts the chemical energy of the food they eat into their own biomass l 10% rule