The Biosphere Chapter 34

Ecological Terms Population - group of the same species in a given geographical area Community - all organisms of any species in a given geographical area Ecosystem- –All abiotic factors in addition to the community of species. –Area in nature where there is autotroph- heterotroph interaction Biosphere - all regions on the planet where life is found

Biotic / Abiotic Factors Organism -> Population -> Community-> (Increasing complexity / diversity) Ecosystem = all living and non-living components of an area. Abiotic Factors = temperature, energy forms, gases, water, nutrients, & chemicals Biotic Factors = organisms making up the community

Phys / Chem (Abiotic) Factors: Organisms affected by variety of factors: –Solar Energy (photosynthesis: plants / bacteria growth) –Water (osmosis, organs for excretion, protective covering) –Temperature (animal metabolism) –Wind (water loss, body cooling) –“Natural Disasters” (Volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, EQs, etc)

Natural Selection & Organisms Both biotic / abiotic factors affect the individuals in a population. An organism can tolerate environmental fluctuations within a specific range. Ex: Pronghorns Presence of species depends on: –Dispersal of organism to area –Evolution of species within area

Brandywine Tennis!!! Bring It On Shahab!!!!

Biomes Biome - –Major ecosystems (with their communities) –Broad geographical areas

Terrestrial Biomes Tropical forests –Dry –Deciduous –Rain forests (canopy) Savanna – grasslands, presence of trees Desert – low / unpredictable rainfall, heat Chaparral – spiny shrubs present, coastal areas

Terrestrial Biomes Temperate Grassland – prarie, grasslands Temperate Deciduous Forest – found in midlatitude regions. Taiga – largest biome, coniferous forest Tundra – covered permanently with ice; permafrost.

Aquatic Communities Ponds and lakes - –Littoral – high water mark to shoreline –Limnetic - well-lit, open waters of a lake Streams and rivers – can erode terrestrial landscapes Wetlands – soil saturated with water, both aquatic and terrestrial Estuaries – freshwater stream merges with the ocean.

Marine Communities Intertidal zones – water meets land Coral reefs – warm tropical waters, supports biodiversity Oceanic pelagic biome – open ocean, zooplankton present here. Benthic zone - seafloor Abyssal zone (Profundal) – deep ocean

Zones Photic = area of ocean water in which light penetrates. Aphotic = dark region under photic zone