Ecology Honors Biology – Chapter 13 Ecology - the study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Levels of Organization Biosphere Biome Ecosystem Community Population Organism

Levels of Organization Biosphere – all organisms & the part of the earth where they live Biome – regional or global community of organisms characterized by a climate & dominant plant community Ecosystem – collection of biotic & abiotic components in an area Community – collection of populations in an area Population – all individuals of a species that live in an area Species – a group of organisms so similar as to permit interbreeding & production of viable offspring

Ecosystem Components Biotic living Abiotic nonliving

Ecological Research Takes 3 Forms 1.Observation 2.Experimentation 3.Modeling

Biodiversity = Interconnectedness All components play a role …some understood better than others Keystone species play a central supporting role

Energy = The Currency of Ecosystems Two sources -Solar -Chemical

Producers (Autotrophs) Photosynthesis – light energy used to assemble carbohydrates Chemosynthesis – Chemical energy used to make carbs.

Consumers (Heterotrophs) Break down carbon compounds to release energy used to assemble ATP

Food Chains Simplified feeding Relationship Trophic levels = steps in food transfer, levels of nourishment

Food Webs – Interrelated Food Chains A more realistic view

Ecological Pyramids Quantifies some aspect of trophic structure

The 10% Rule 90% of energy lost in transfer between trophic levels Heat Waste

Types of Ecological Pyramids

Pyramid Structure Provide Clues to Ecological Function

Types of Consumers

Biogeochemical cycles Bio = living Geo = earth Chemical – Water – Oxygen – Carbon – Nitrogen – Phosphorus

The Hydrologic Cycle

Oxygen Cycle

Biological Carbon Cycle

Geologic Carbon Cycle

Phosphate Cycle