Ecology u The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Organisms u All living things. u Studied at many levels. living things are organized from- atom to the biosphere.

Levels of Organiztion 1. The atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and organ systems are the levels that make up an organism. 2. The interactions of Organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere, are studied by an Ecologist.

Environment u Abiotic Factors: non-living factors. u Biotic Factors: living factors and the effect of them on themselves and other organisms. Ex: Competition, Predation, Productivity

Abiotic Factors 1. Temperature 2. Water (salinity) 3. Sunlight 4. Wind 5. Rocks and Soil 6. Disturbance

Climate u Shapes environments and what organisms can live in a particular area.

Climatic Factors u Solar Radiation and Latitude Changes the amount of light and energy delivered per surface area. u Axis Tilt/Seasons u Air/Water Circulation Patterns (convection currents)

Result u Poles: less light = less available energy u Equator: more light = more available energy u The unequal heating causes air and water to circulate.

Seasons u Caused by the Earth's tilt. u Day length changes over time. u Many organisms are restricted in range by how well they adapt to changing seasons. u examples: hibernation, dormancy, estivation, food storage, migration

Global Air Patterns u Air rises when heated, sinks when cools. u Zones of convection are created. u Earth's rotation causes zones to "twist”. u Westerlies, Trade winds, and doldrums, La Nina, El Nino

Result u Air circulation patterns. u Rainfall patterns. u rising air: wet areas u descending air: dry areas

Biomes u Broad geographical regions with characteristic communities of organisms.

Biomes Controlled by: u Temperature range u Water, and amount of rainfall u Geography which may include altitude

Tropical Forests u Areas covered with dense growth of trees and vines. u Climate: u Warm temperatures. u Constant day length. u High water.

Tropical Forests

u Have the greatest diversity of species of any area on Earth. u Soil is usually very infertile. Most of the nutrients are in the plant life. u One of the most endangered Biomes.

Savanna u Grasslands with a few trees. u Climate with three growing seasons: u Cool and dry u Hot and dry u Warm and wet

Savanna u Rich in herbivores and predator species. u Only major biome not found on North America.

Desert u Characterized by plants adapted to dry growing conditions. u Climate: u Dry (<30cm/yr). u May be cold or hot. u Often found in areas of descending air masses. u Low productivity, but still fairly diverse in species.

Chaparral u Characterized by spiny evergreen shrubs. u Climate: u Mild rainy winters u Hot summers u Ex: Southern California

Chaparral u Maintained by fires. u Plants adapted to periodic fires by seeds or re-growing from the roots.

Temperate Grasslands u Grasses and other herbs are the dominant vegetation. u Climate: u Intermediate water u Relatively cold winters

Grasslands u Very productive for agriculture. (wheat, corn) u Need disturbance (fires) to keep trees out. u Come in several types: u Tall grass u Short grass

Temperate Forests u Deciduous trees dominate. u Climate: u Relatively high rain u Cold winters u Very little natural area left. u Good diversity of species.

Taiga u Coniferous trees dominate. u Climate: u Long cold winters u Short wet summers u Long summer daylength

Taiga or Boreal Forest u Relatively low species diversity. u Being logged at an alarming rate.

Tundra u Grasses and sedges dominate. u Climate: u Very cold and dry u Low light in winter

Tundra u Permafrost present. u Plants low in height. u Poor species diversity.

Altitude and Latitude u Mirror each other. Their Biomes are similar because the environments are similar. u Ex: Alpine = Tundra

Aquatic Biomes

Fresh water Biomes u Have <1% salt concentration. u Strongly influenced by temperature and light. u Classification – based on water flow patterns.

Marine Biomes u Cover 3/4 of the Earth's surface. u Average 3% salt. u Controlled by light and the distance to the shore.

Light Zones u Photic - Enough light for Ps. Red light lost rapidly as depth increases. u Aphotic - Lacks enough light for Ps and depends on food made in photic zone for energy. Part of the most extensive biome on the planet.

Estuaries u Where a freshwater river meets the ocean. u Salinity variable. u Very productive Biome.

Marine Biomes Intertidal Coral Reefs Pelagic Benthos

Pelagic u The vast realm of open blue water found past the continental shelves. u thermal stratification with a constant mixing of warm and cold ocean currents. u The flora in the pelagic zone include surface seaweeds. The fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphins. Many feed on the abundant plankton.

Coral Reef u Characterized by coral. Cnidarians who have a symbiotic relationship with algae. (coral bleaching?) u Found in shallow warm waters. u Very productive. u High species diversity.

Benthos The bottom of the zone consists of sand, slit, and/or dead organisms. Here temperature decreases as depth increases light cannot penetrate through the deeper water. very nutrient-rich, include all sorts of bacteria, fungi, sponges, sea anemones, worms, sea stars, and fishes.

Summary u Know what is involved with the study of “Ecology”. u Know the major factors of planet Earth (abiotic) that shape climate. u Know the major biomes and the factors that control them.