1. Ecology the study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment

2. Silent Spring http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09212007/watch.html Just show news clips of second link..

3. Levels of Ecology Biosphere Biome Ecosystem Community Population Organism

4. Ecosystem All of the different species living together (community) in an area (habitat) –Abiotic Factors- nonliving (weather, soil composition, winds, temperature, etc.) –Biotic Factors- living (plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, protists) Biodiversity- all of the different forms of life on Earth

5. Energy flow in Ecosystems The original source of all energy is the sun! Autotrophs –Producers- make energy for others Heterotrophs –Consumers- consume others for energy –Decomposers- break down organic matter for energy

6. Heterotrophs may be –Herbivores- consume plants or algae –Carnivores- consume animal flesh –Omnivores- consume plants and animal flesh –Detritivores- consume dead organisms or wastes

7. Food Chain - singular sequence of energy flow within an ecosystem All energy originates from the sun Arrows show the direction of energy flow Food Web - all of the interconnected food chains in an ecosystem All energy returns to the decomposers Quaternary Consumer

9. Owl Pellets

10. Succession - the progressive change of an ecosystem over time

11. http://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/how-wolves-change-rivers/ How Wolves Change Rivers

12. Interspecific Interactions members of different species compete for the same resource (food, light, nutrients, nests) in an ecosystem Competition Predation Parasitism Symbiosis

13. Intraspecific Interactions members of the same species compete for the same resource (food, light, nutrients, mates) in an ecosystem

14. Reproductive Strategies Few offspringMany Offspring

15. Productivity of Ecosystems Biomass- organic material made by Earth’s producers Primary Productivity - rate producers in an ecosystem build biomass ~ determines the maximum amount of energy available to all higher trophic levels

16. Energy Pyramid only about 10% of the energy available at a trophic level is converted into new biomass for the next trophic level

17. Energy Pyramid Sunlight makes up the base of the pyramid

18. Energy Pyramid 1 st Trophic Level = Primary Producers = plants, algae

19. Energy Pyramid 2 nd Trophic Level = Primary Consumers = herbivores

20. Energy Pyramid 3 rd Trophic Level= Secondary Consumers = carnivores/omnivores

21. Energy Pyramid 4 th Trophic Level = Tertiary Consumers = top carnivores

22. Energy Pyramid Organisms rely on the level below them for energy. Each trophic level contains about 90% less energy than the level below it. There are fewer organisms as you move toward the top of the pyramid. Very few pyramids contain more than 4 levels.

23. 'It takes 16 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of meat. One average meat eater could consume that pound of meat during a meal, while 16 people could have been fed on the grain it takes to produce that pound of meat' (Environmental Protection Agency)

24. The Carbon Cycle Producers need Carbon Dioxide for photosynthesis. Producers and Consumers release CO 2 during cellular respiration and decomposition. Fossil fuels are made from the carbon in the tissues of dead plants and animals. Combustion releases CO 2. CO 2 is dissolved and evaporated from water. http://www.vtaide.com/p ng/carbonCycle.htm

25. Human Activities Can Alter Ecosystems The Carbon Cycle Deforestation- clear cutting trees Global Warming? –Burning of fossil fuels –Deforestation

26. The Water Cycle hydrologic cycle (Click on Concepts of humidity.) The Sun’s Energy causes evaporation, transpiration, and condensation Producers require water for photosynthesis Consumers require water for breaking down polymers (hydrolysis)

27. Human Activities Can Alter Ecosystems The Water Cycle Deforestation Water usage –Household –Irrigation of crops Acid Rain –Smokestacks –Automobile exhaust

28. The Nitrogen Cycle All living things have and need nucleic acids and proteins. Nitrogen is a component of both. Atmospheric Nitrogen - Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen Fixation – converting nitrogen gas into nitrates by: –Cyanobacteria and Blue-Green Algae –Lichens –Root Nodules –Lightning and sunlight Decomposers - recycle plant and animal wastes back into nitrates so they can be used again. De-nitrifying Bacteria - use nitrates and release nitrogen back into the air.

29. Human Activities Can Alter Ecosystems The Nitrogen Cycle Eutrophication (algae blooms) –Increased usage of fertilizers –Sewage plant dumpings

30. Ozone Depletion –Caused by released chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) –Could cause skin cancer, cataracts, and damaged crops

31. Biological Magnification –Fat-soluble chemicals remain in the environment a long time –Feeders in higher trophic levels are in danger of high concentrations http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psv98volu0U WWF Endangered Species