Ecology What is the difference between biology and ecology?What is the difference between biology and ecology? –Biology – the scientific study of living organisms –Ecology - the scientific study of the interrelationships among organisms and their nonliving environment

Why is an understanding of ecology important? We may harm ourselves as a result of an inadequate understanding of the ecological consequences of our actionsWe may harm ourselves as a result of an inadequate understanding of the ecological consequences of our actions Understanding ecology is a quality of life issueUnderstanding ecology is a quality of life issue

Chapter 42 – Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems What is an ecosystem?What is an ecosystem? Why are there different types of ecosystems?Why are there different types of ecosystems? How do human activities affect ecosystems?How do human activities affect ecosystems?

Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems (Chapter 42) A. Definition of an ecosystem B. Terrestrial ecosystems are called biomes 1. Distribution of biomes

What determines the type of ecosystem present in an area? Basic requirements for lifeBasic requirements for life 1. Nutrients 2. Energy 3. Water 4. Appropriate temperature

A Christian view of water John 7: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Environment and ecosystems Extent of vegetation in a biome determined by interplay of rainfall and temperatureExtent of vegetation in a biome determined by interplay of rainfall and temperature

–Orientation of the sun determines (drives) climate and therefore type of vegetation –Latitude—temperature and degree of temperature variation –Air currents determine precipitation patterns –Ocean currents a. Moderates coastal climates b. Moderates temperature extremes –Elevation—temperature and precipitation What factors influence temperature and precipitation?

Elevation, precipitation & temperature

Biomes & biodiversity Tropical rain forestsTropical rain forests –6% of land; >50% of world’s species

Aquatic ecosystems Availability of nutrients and energy determine the type of ecosystemAvailability of nutrients and energy determine the type of ecosystem –Freshwater ecosystems Oligotrophic & eutrophic lakesOligotrophic & eutrophic lakes –Marine ecosystems Coastal ecosystemsCoastal ecosystems Coral reefsCoral reefs Open oceanOpen ocean Vent communitiesVent communities

Lake ecosystems

Marine ecosystems

Human impact on ecosystems Pollution of waterwaysPollution of waterways –Promotes eutrophication Over-utilizationOver-utilization –Deforestation –Overgrazing –Overfishing Interference in complex natural processes (Earthwatch, p )Interference in complex natural processes (Earthwatch, p )

1.nutrients, oxygen, sugar, appropriate temperatures 2.water, nutrients, energy, appropriate temperatures 3.water, energy, oxygen, nutrients 4.oxygen, carbon, the Sun, water 5.oxygen, water, energy, the Sun Which fundamental resources are required to support life? 42.03Q

1.plant communities are not influenced by rainfall. 2.plant communities evolve more slowly than changes in weather patterns. 3.temperature and rainfall interact to influence plant communities. 4.plant communities occur randomly, depending on where seeds are blown or carried. 5.plant communities are influenced more by the acidity of rain than by the amount of rainfall Q The striking dissimilarities in plant communities found in different biomes with the same average yearly amount of rainfall can be explained by the fact that