Unit 8: Ecology

ECOLOGY

BIODIVERSITY

Climate zones determine communities Figure 5-2

Terrestrial biomes Figure 5-9

Nonliving and Living Components of Ecosystems

Populations & Communities

Ecological niche An organism’s role in its community An organism’s role in its community Includes Includes what it needs to survive what it needs to survive – Nutrients – Light – Space (habitat) – Oxygen or carbon dioxide – Inorganic compounds How it interacts with other species How it interacts with other species

Species interactions When two organisms interact together in one of several ways. When two organisms interact together in one of several ways. Can be intraspecific or interspecific Can be intraspecific or interspecific One interaction is competition One interaction is competition What is the graph telling us about the effect of competition on species A and B?

Predation is another (interspecific) interaction Predators adaptations Predators adaptations Locate, sneak up on & subdue prey Locate, sneak up on & subdue prey Prey adaptations Prey adaptations elude & defend elude & defend spines, thorns, toxins horns, speed, coloration

More Interspecific interactions Symbiotic interactions Symbiotic interactions parasitism (-/+) parasitism (-/+) mutualism (+/+) mutualism (+/+) lichens (algae & fungus) lichens (algae & fungus) commensalism (+/0) commensalism (+/0) barnacles attached to whale barnacles attached to whale

commensalism predation parasitism and competition Symbiosis mutualism +/0 +/+ +/- -/-

Two Necessities for Survival: Energy Flow and Matter Recycling

Producers: Basic Source of All Food Most producers capture sunlight to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis: Most producers capture sunlight to produce carbohydrates by photosynthesis: This process of turning inorganic materials into organic materials using energy from the sun is called primary production.

Respiration: Getting Energy for Survival Organisms break down carbohydrates and other organic compounds in their cells to obtain the energy for internal reactions. Organisms break down carbohydrates and other organic compounds in their cells to obtain the energy for internal reactions. This is done through aerobic respiration or anaerobic respiration. This is done through aerobic respiration or anaerobic respiration.

Consumers: Eating and Recycling to Survive Consumers get their food by eating or breaking down all or parts of other organisms or their remains. Consumers get their food by eating or breaking down all or parts of other organisms or their remains. Herbivores Herbivores Carnivores Carnivores Omnivores Omnivores

Decomposers and Detritivores

Energy Flow Energy flows through an ecosystem Energy flows through an ecosystem Route of energy flow is determined by an ecosystem’s trophic structure. Route of energy flow is determined by an ecosystem’s trophic structure. Trophic interactions move energy through an ecosystem Trophic interactions move energy through an ecosystem Simple example:

Food Webs Trophic levels are interconnected within a more complicated food web. Trophic levels are interconnected within a more complicated food web.

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem: Losing Useful Energy in Food Chains and Webs

MATTER CYCLING IN ECOSYSTEMS Nutrient Cycles: Global Recycling Nutrient Cycles: Global Recycling recycle nutrients through the earth’s air, land, water, and living organisms. recycle nutrients through the earth’s air, land, water, and living organisms. nutrients are the elements and compounds that organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce. nutrients are the elements and compounds that organisms need to live, grow, and reproduce. Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygen Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, oxygen biogeochemical cycles move these substances through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms. biogeochemical cycles move these substances through air, water, soil, rock and living organisms.

Nutrient cycling All organisms are made up of organic molecules All organisms are made up of organic molecules Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Proteins Proteins Lipids Lipids Nucleic acids Nucleic acids Essential nutrients are those that are required to make the organic molecules Essential nutrients are those that are required to make the organic molecules C, H, N, O, P, S C, H, N, O, P, S Organic matter cycles within ecosystems Organic matter cycles within ecosystems Both autotrophs and decomposers play vital roles Both autotrophs and decomposers play vital roles

Carbon Cycle:

The Nitrogen Cycle: Bacteria in Action

Phosphorus cycle