Ecology

The study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, or surroundings.

Biosphere Combined portions of the planet in which all life exists (land, water, air, organisms)

BIOME Group of ecosystems that have the same climate, similar soil and distinctive plants and animals See textbook pp HANDOUT: Biome Group Project

Ecosystem BIOTA Organisms Animals Plants Fungi bacteria ABIOTA nonliving environment Soil Air water

Ecosystems of the World

Communities Groups of populations living in the same area Like these desert animals

Populations Groups of individuals all of the same species EX: All the Long-nosed Leopard Lizards of the Mojave Desert

Species Group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring EX: All of the Long-nosed Leopard Lizards of the world

Satellite Imaging Satellite photo showing new deforestation and fires in Matto Grosso, Brazil (August 2002)

Flooding in New Orleans

Chlorophyll Content

Leaf Area

Energy Flow Sunlight is the main source of energy for life on Earth.

Chemosynthetic Organisms Some organisms rely of inorganic chemicals rather than the sun for energy. All bacteria, manufacture carbohydrates and other organic molecules from the oxidization of sulfates or ammonia.

Chemosynthetic Microbes

Autotrophs Organisms that use sunlight to produce energy. Use inorganic compounds to make organic molecules. PLANTS Also called PRODUCERS

Photosynthesis Process by which autotrophs harness sunlight in a chemical reaction to change inorganic compounds into energy-rich carbohydrates and oxygen.

Heterotrophs Organisms that rely on energy from other organisms Also called CONSUMERS

Types of Consumers Herbivores – eat only plants Carnivores – eat animals Omnivores – eat both plants and animals Detritivores – feed on animal remains and dead matter Decomposers – break down organic matter

Decomposers

Herbivores

Carnivores

Detritivores Spaghetti worms have tentacles range out from a burrow in rock or sediment to collect the small particulate detritus that the worm feeds on. amphipods tearing plant debris and organic detritus into "bite sized" pieces and eating it

Omnivores

Food Chain Desert Food Chain Video (DesertUSA) Energy flows from the sun or inorganic compounds in one direction to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs (comsumers).

Food Chain Simulation Sunny Meadows

Producers? Consumers?

Food Web: links all the food chains of an ecosystem together

Trophic Level Each step of a food chain or food web

Ecological Pyramid Note that only 10% of the energy is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level

Biomass Pyramid Amount of tissue in a trophic level

Biomass Total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level

Pyramid of Numbers