1. Introductory Ecology

2. Defined
Ecology is the study of the interactions between living organisms and the living (biotic ) and non-living (abiotic) components of the ecosystem

3. Questions Imagine that you are an ecologist.
What is the most general ecological statement of fact that you can make?
What is a more specific ecological statement that you can make regarding life on Earth?

4. Examples of Abiotic Factors
Sunlight
Oxygen
Rocks & Minerals
Climate
Humidity
Lightning
Gravity
Water
Elevation
Temperature
Topography
Wind

5. The Most Important Abiotic Factors
SUNLIGHT
WATER

6. Earth’s Tilt & The Sun
The distribution and intensity of sunlight is dependent on the tilt of Earth’s axis and its position relative to the Sun during its annual revolution
Due to latitudinal difference seasons are apparent in the temperate mid-latitudes

8. Seasons
Autumnal or Fall Equinox (September) suns rays directly over the Equator
Winter Solstice (December) suns rays directly over the Tropic of Capricorn
Vernal or Spring Equinox (March) suns rays directly over the Equator
Summer Solstice (June) suns rays directly over the Tropic of Cancer

9. Air Currents & Moisture at the Equator
Sunlight at the equator cause warm moist air to rise
In the upper atmosphere much of this moist air cools, condenses, and falls as rain, while the remaining dried air is diverted north and south
The diverted dry air descends at 30o north and south
This circulation is called a Hadley Cell

10. Hadley Cells

11. Biomes
Major types of terrestrial ecosystems that cover large regions of Earth
What biomes are determine by the Hadley cells?
What happens between these biomes during the course of an annual circuit around the sun?

12. The Distribution of Other Biomes
Biome are characterized by the climate (sunlight and moisture) and the major type(s) vegetation that have adapted to that climate

14. Temperature & Moisture Gradients
Tundra
Coniferous Forest
Desert
Grassland
Deciduous
Forest
Tropical

15. Biome Vegetation
Tundra Grasses, small wildflowers, cushion plants, and lichen
Coniferous Forest Evergreen Needle bearing Trees
Desert Cactus
Grassland Grasses
Deciduous Forest Broadleaf Trees that lose their leaves
Tropical Forest Broadleaf Evergreen Trees