Ecosystems and its Components

What is an ecosystem? An area in which organisms (plants, animals and micro- organisms) interact with each other and with their environment and are interdependent on each other for survival.

What is an environment? Everything that affects an animal makes up its environment - where it lives, the weather and all the living things it comes into contact with. Every living thing, including people, has an effect upon the environment.

Different plants and animals live in different ecosystems. Different ecosystems can be close together. Animals may belong to several ecosystems. Ecosystem exists both in land and water. Can be as tiny as a drop of water or as large as a rainforest. Within each ecosystem, there are habitats which may also vary in size

Homes and Habitats The place where an animal lives is called its habitat. The habitat must supply the needs of organisms, such as food, water, temperature, oxygen, and minerals. If the population's needs are not met, it will move to a better habitat.

Biomes - ecosystems where several habitats intersect. -The Earth itself is one large biome. -Two general types are terrestrial biome and aquatic biome

Example of an Ecosystem 1) Pond Within the pond, water plants and algae interact with sunlight to produce food. Insects interact with algae by eating them. Frogs interact with these insects. 2) A Forest ecosystem - Composed of trees, mosses, insects, animals and birds. Even bacteria and fungi are part of the forest ecosystem.

What is ECOLOGICAL NICHE? - The role that each organism play in the ecosystem  When does Ecosystem change? - Ecosystem can change either by human manipulation or by natural ways.

Ecosystem Organization Organisms Made of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems *Species Groups of organisms that resemble one another in appearance, behavior, and genetic make up Population All the organisms of one species living in a certain area or ecosystem. Fig. 4.2, p. 66 Biosphere Ecosystems Communities Populations Organisms

Communities All the organisms living in a specific geographical area. A community includes organisms of different species Ecosystems Biosphere the whole portion of Earth colonized by living beings. Biosphere is the sum of all the ecosystems established on Earth.

COMPONENTS OF ECOSYSTEM BIOTIC COMPONENTS - Refers to all the living organisms in the ecosystem ABIOTIC COMPONENTS -refers to all the nonliving features of the ecosystem such as weather, temperature, soil, rocks, wind and water, etc,

Biotic Components of Ecosystems Heat Abiotic chemicals (carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, minerals) Producers(plants)Decomposers (bacteria, fungus) Consumers(herbivores,carnivores) Solar energy Producers Source of all food through Photosynthesis Consumers Decomposers Matter recyclers… Release organic compounds into soil and water where they can be used by producers

The Source of High Quality Energy Energy of sun lights and warms the planet Supports photosynthesis Drives climate and weather that distribute heat and H 2 O Solar radiation Energy in = Energy out Reflected by atmosphere (34%) UV radiation Absorbed by ozone Absorbed by the earth Visible light Lower Stratosphere (ozone layer) Troposphere Heat Greenhouseeffect Radiated by atmosphere as heat (66%) Earth Heat radiated by the earth

Trophic Levels Each organism in an ecosystem is assigned to a feeding (or Trophic) level Primary Producers Primary Consumers (herbivores) Secondary Consumer (carnivores) Tertiary Consumers Omnivores Detritus feeders and scavengers Directly consume tiny fragments of dead stuff Decomposers Digest complex organic chemicals into inorganic nutrients that are used by producers Complete the cycle of matter

A food chain tells us what is eaten by what in an ecosystem.

What is happening in this food chain? The insect is eaten by the frog.

What is eaten by the insect? What is eaten by the insect?

 Many insects feed on nectar which they gather from flowers.

What does this food chain show?  The plant is eaten by the slug.  The slug is eaten by the frog.  The frog is eaten by the heron.

Animals that hunt and eat other animals are called PREDATORS

Animals that are hunted and eaten by other animals are called their PREY

Energy flow Each animal in the food chain eats another animal or a plant in order to gain energy. The energy flow in the ecosystem keeps all of the animals alive.

Pyramids of Energy and Matter Pyramid of Energy Flow Heat ,000 10,000 Usable energy Available at Each tropic level (in kilocalories) Producers(phytoplankton) Primary consumers (zooplankton) Secondary consumers (perch) Tertiary consumers (human) Decomposers

Ecological Pyramids of Energy

What is symbiosis? What it means: Two organisms that live together Temporarily or for a longer time At least one of the organisms benefits from the relationship Literal definition: the act of living together

COMMENSALISM A symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor benefited. AN EXAMPLE: In a region of Siberia in Russia a peregrine falcon and red- breasted goose have a commensal relationship. During the nesting season the falcon protects the geese from predators. The geese benefit, while the falcon is neither benefited or harmed.

MUTUALISM A symbiotic relationship in which both species benefit! AN EXAMPLE: Mutualism is illustrated between a type of ant and a species of acacia tree living in the subtropics. The ant protects the tree by attacking any herbivore that tries to feed on it. The ants also kill any plant that begins to grow too close to the acacia. The tree provides nectar and a home for the ants.

PARASITISM A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits at the others expense! AN EXAMPLE: Tapeworms and roundworms, live in the intestines of dogs, cats, and other vertebrates. Why would it be disadvantageous for a parasite to kill its host?

What are the different kinds of symbiosis? Mutualism Parasitism Commensalism both organisms benefit one organism benefits one organism is unaffected one organism is harmed

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed Example 1: Acacia plant with ant galls Ants lay eggs on acacia tree Acacia covers the infected area with brown flesh (gall)

Mutualism: both benefit Example 2: Moray Eel with Cleaner Fish Moray Eel gets a clean mouth Cleaner Fish gets a meal

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected Example 3: Cattle with cattle egrets Cattle stir up insects as they eat grass Egrets hang around and eat insects

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected Example 4: Clown fish with anemone Clown fish gets protection Anemone is unaffected

Mutualism: both benefit Example 5: Antelope with Oxbird Antelope gets rid of parasites Oxbird gets a meal

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed Example 6: Taenia worm in human eye Worm infects human blood stream Human may go blind