ECOLOGYECOLOGY Chapter 34

Ecology- The scientific study of how organisms interact with their environment and with each other.

The Five Levels of Ecological Study 1.Individual/Organism 2.Population 3.Community 4.Ecosystem 5.Biosphere

Key Abiotic Factors Sunlight- provides energy & warmth Water- essential to all organisms Temperature-range for life 0  C to 50  C Soil- affects the types of plants that can grow there. Wind- affects the distribution and activities of organisms (clouds, rain, stirs up water, disperses seeds.

Climate Determines Global Patterns in Biosphere Variation in solar radiation at different latitudes causes uneven heating of Earth’s surface Low angle of incoming sunlight –60º N Sunlight directly overhead 0º (equator) Low angle of incoming sunlight Atmosphere 30º S 60º S

Biomes Biome – The ecosystems that cover large regions of Earth –characterized by communities of plants/organisms that are adapted to the climate/abiotic factors

Terrestrial Ecosystems (BIOMES) –Tropical Rainforest –Savanna –Desert –Chaparral –Temperate Grassland –Deciduous Forest –Coniferous Forest –Tundra

Tropical Rainforests Equator (warm) High rainfall Rich abundance of life - Most diverse Human impact has been huge

Savanna Mostly in Africa Grasslands with scattered trees Warm climate Drier tropical area

Desert Driest biome on the planet (low and unpredictable rainfall) Animals and plants are adapted to live with little water and excess heat

Chaparral Coastal region with dense evergreen shrubs Mild rainy winters & hot dry summers Prone to fire

Temperate Grassland Rain varies Grasses Occurring in cooler areas (like the Midwest Prairies)

Deciduous Forest Deciduous trees- Maple & Oak (lose leaves) Sufficient moisture to support large trees Definite seasons – cold winter/ hot summer Deer

Coniferous Forest Cone-bearing trees –Needles prevent water loss Taiga –the furthest north –harsh winters and very short summers

Tundra Extreme north & tops of mountains Long, cold & windy winters Treeless: mosses, shrubs and lichens Permafrost – permanently frozen soil

Make up most of the biosphere Oceans cover about 75% of the Earth's surface Light and the availability of nutrients are the major factors that shape aquatic communities Aquatic Ecosystems

Freshwater Ecosystems Little dissolved salt Streams and rivers Ponds and lakes –Standing (not flowing) water

Estuaries Where rivers and oceans merge Salt Marsh (colder temperatures) and Mangroves (Florida and tropics) Experience changes in salt concentration and temperature Most productive Biome –Diverse life –Provide nursery areas for animals.

Abiotic conditions dictate the kinds of communities that ocean zones can support Figure 34.7C Intertidal zone Benthic zone (seafloor) Photic zone Aphotic zone Pelagic Zone

REVIEWREVIEW What is the scientific study of the how organisms interact with their environment. ecology What is the difference between biotic and abiotic factors? Biotic=living Abiotic=non-living Give an example of a biotic factor. Tree, animal, virus etc. What are the five levels (in order) of ecological study? Individual, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere A population is a group of individuals that must be the same _________________. species

How is a community different from a population? Community is several different species, population is a single species How is an ecosystem different from a community? Ecosystem has biotic and abiotic factors What is a habitat? specific environments in which organisms live. List 5 important abiotic factors. Sun, water, wind, soil, temperature Name the driest biome. Desert Name the wettest and hottest biome. Rain forest

Name the coldest biome. tundra What are some common organisms of the savannah? Zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino etc. Why is it important for the coniferous forest trees to have pine needles instead of leaves? Needles prevent water loss and keep trees from getting cold What is permafrost? Permanently frozen soil What is an estuary? Where a river meets the ocean Why is an estuary the most productive ecosystem? Provides nursery areas for oysters, crabs, fishes, birds, many plant species