1. Ecology & Biodiversity ppt NOTES. (Biomes)
Please USE ES LINKS – Glossary or
“Science Dictionary” Link or find your own...

2. Unit 9 Ecology, Biomes and Biodiversity - 29 terms
Coniferous
Deciduous
Decomposition
Desert
Ecosystem
Savanna
Temperate Forest
Terrestrial Biome
Tundra
Abiotic Factor
Biotic Factor
Taiga
Tropical Rainforest
Aquatic Biome

3. Unit 9 Ecology, Biomes and Biodiversity - 29 terms
Food chain
Food web
Habitat
Ecology
Biosphere
Biodiversity
Invasive species
Limiting Factor
Population
Carrying Capacity
Sustainable Use / Sustainability
Extinction
Restoration
Natural Selection

4. Ecology
Ecology- the study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. 2 things.
Is a Branch of biology that developed from natural history.
Ecological research includes using descriptive and quantitative (Numerical Data) methods to explain both the environment and its organisms.

5. Biosphere
Biosphere- the portion of the Earth that supports living things
High in atmosphere to bottom of oceans
Ecologists- study how organism survive and reproduce under different physical and biological conditions in Earth’s biosphere

6. Producers and Consumers
Producer (Autotroph) – an organism that makes its own food and stores energy
Ex: plants
Consumer (Heterotroph) – an organism that obtains food and energy by eating other organisms
Ex: humans

8. Consumers
Decomposer – organisms that obtain energy by breaking down wastes and the remains of dead organisms
Examples: mushrooms and earthworms

9. Consumers Herbivores – organisms that eat only plants Example: cattle
Carnivores – organisms that eat only animals
Example: coyotes
Omnivores – organisms that eat both plants and animals
Example: bears

10. Organized Levels of an Ecosystem.

11. LEVELS of ORGANIZATION OF an Ecosystem: LIST THEM.
Population-is defined as a group of organisms of one species that have the ability to interbreed and who live in the same area at the same time.
Community- is a group or an assemblage of interacting populations occupying a given area.

12. Food Chains
Food chain- simple model that scientists use to show how matter and energy move through an ecosystem
Nutrients and energy move from autotrophs to heterotrophs and, eventually, to decomposers.
Total Energy is lost at every level as it moves. About 10% each level.

13. YELLOW 3 kinds of Symbiosis- the mutually beneficial relationship between two groups of organisms.

14. Food Chains cont.
Food chains are drawn using arrows to indicate the direction in which energy is transferred
berries→mice→black bear
Algae →little fish→big fish→humans
The amount of energy transferred decreases with each step on the food chain.

15. Food Chain

16. Energy Flow through a Food Chain. (Sun to Plants to Grasshoppers etc.)

17. Food Webs
Show a series of overlapping or connected food chains that exist in an ecosystem.
More accurate than a food chain because they show ALL the feeding relationships with in an ecosystem

18. Food Web

20. Food Web.. If one part is removed how is the rest effected?

21. What is a biome?
Biome- large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climate communities
2 Types of Biomes
Aquatic – around water
Terrestrial – on Land.

22. Biomes
Biome = major regional complex of similar communities recognized by…
Type of Soil
Plant type
Vegetation structure
Koeppen Classification system –
on a Map- Divides Climates into five basic types based on ave monthly temperatures , precipitation and types of vegetation. See map next slide..

23. Koeppen Classification system

24. Multiple factors determine a biome
The type of biome depends on abiotic factors (are the Non living parts of the environment)
Soil Type, Temperature, precipitation, atmospheric circulation
Climatographs = a climate diagram showing
An area’s mean monthly temperature and precipitation
Similar biomes occupy similar latitudes

25. Limiting Factors
Limiting Factor- any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms
Availability of water and food
Predators
Temperature
This could set a chain of limiting factors
Ex) the lack of water limits the amount of grass that will grow
The amount of grass limits the amount of seeds they produce
The seeds that mice eat are limited; therefore, there are not as many mice
The limit on the number of mice reduces the population of the hawks that eat mice

26. Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Abiotic factors- the nonliving parts of an organism’s environment
Ex: temperature, rainfall, altitude, latitude, wind, sunlight, soil
Biotic factors- all living organisms that inhabit an environment
Ex. animals, plants, and the decomposers or detritus feeders which include fungi and bacteria

27. Take notes: Youtube videos on
Ecosystems - Limiting Factors and Carrying Capacity.
Abiotic and Biotic Factors in an Ecosystem.

28. After the videos – know this..
Limiting Factors = control population growth.
EX food, shelter …
 Carrying Capacity = # of individual of a species an ecosystem
can support.
QS : Think about and describe the relationship between carrying capacity and Earth's resources?
Answer: A population that increases will eventually overuse the amount of Earth's resources available.
OR a population above the carrying capacity will have a decrease in natural resources.

30. BIOMES: Aquatic Various aquatic systems comprise distinct communities
Coastlines, continental shelves, wetlands, swamps.
Open ocean, deep sea
Coral reefs, kelp forests
We have talked about Photic zones or shallow areas.. Bays, estuaries, coral reefs, and Aphotic zones or deep water areas that have no sunlight. Aphotic are less explored and ROV’s are sent to gather data.

31. Biomes: Aquatic Systems
Some coastal systems (estuaries, marshes, etc.) have both – aquatic (water) and terrestrial (land) components.
Aquatic systems are shaped by
Water temperature, salinity or no salinity, and dissolved nutrients
Wave action, currents, depth, light levels
Substrate type, and animal and plant life

32. BIOMES: Temperate Forests
Deciduous trees lose their leaves each fall
They remain dormant during winter
Mid-latitude forests in Europe, East China, Eastern North America
Even, year-round precipitation
Fertile soils
Forests = oak, beech, maple

33. Biomes: Temperate grasslands
More extreme temperature difference
Between winter and summer
Less precipitation
Also called steppe or prairie
Once widespread, but has been converted to agriculture
Bison, prairie dogs, ground-nesting birds, pronghorn

34. Biomes: Temperate Forests & Temperate Rainforest
Coastal Pacific Northwest
Great deal of precipitation.
Coniferous trees: keep their cones, needles, and leaves having only the oldest leaves fall off.
cedar, spruce, hemlock, fir
Moisture-loving animals
Banana slug
Erosion and landslides affect the fertile soil
Lumber and paper
Most old-growth is gone

35. Biomes: Tropical rainforest
Southeast Asia, west Africa Central and South America
Year-round rain and warm temperatures
Dark and damp
Lush vegetation
Most Diversity of species of all Biomes.
But in low densities
Very poor, acidic soils

36. Biomes: Tropical dry forest
Also called tropical deciduous forest
Plants drop leaves during the dry season
India, Africa, South America, north Australia
Wet and dry seasons
Warm, but less rainfall
Converted to agriculture
Severe soil erosion

37. Biomes: Savannas Savannas--are Grasslands interspersed with trees
Africa, South America, Australia, India
Two seasons- wet and dry. Precipitation is only during the rainy season
Kinds of “Herd” Animals gather near water holes
Ex: Zebras, gazelles, giraffes, lions, hyenas

38. Biomes: Desert Minimal precipitation Warm, ARID, Dry Area. Few plants
Some are bare, with sand dunes (Sahara)
Some are heavily vegetated (Sonoran)
They are not always hot
Temperatures vary widely
Saline soils
Animals = nocturnal, nomadic
Plants = thick skins, spines

39. Biomes: Tundra Russia, Canada, Scandinavia Minimal precipitation
Extremely cold winters
Permafrost = permanently frozen soil
Melting due to climate change
Few animals: polar bears, musk oxen, caribou, migratory birds
Lichens, low vegetation, few trees

40. Biomes: Boreal forest (Taiga)
Canada, Alaska, Russia, Scandinavia
A few Coniferous - evergreen tree species.
Cool and dry climate
Long, cold winters
Short, cool summers
Nutrient poor, acidic soil
Moose, wolves, bears, lynx, migratory birds

41. Biomes: Chaparral -”a dry land”
This area occurs in small patches around the globe.
Mediterranean Sea, Chile, Southern California,
South Australia
seasonal biome
Mild, wet winters
Warm, dry summers
Frequent fires
Densely thicketed, evergreen shrubs and short trees

42. Altitudes create “latitudinal patterns”
Vegetative communities rapidly change along mountain slopes of higher altitude. -- so plant- life changes as altitude changes.
The climate varies with altitude
A mountain climber in the Andes- Begins in the tropics and ends up on a glacier.

43. Rainshadow Effect
Rainshadow effect = air going over a mountain releases moisture
Creating an arid region on the other side
See the nest 2 slides on OROGRAPHIC LIFTING.
The Left side has Rain and MOISTURE. The Right side of the mountain will be arid and DRY.

44. Orographic Lifting
Clouds can also form when wind encounters a mountains and the only way for it to go is up.
This is the beginning of orographic lifting where the rising air expands and cools
Clouds also form when air masses of different temperatures collide and cause condensation

45. Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class
Orographic Lifting
Air
BACK
Mr. Fetch's Earth Science Class

46. Hiking up a mountain in the southwest U. S
Hiking up a mountain in the southwest U.S. is like walking from Mexico to Canada

47. Biodiversity
Biodiversity - Is the variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations
Biodiversity is the Sum total of all organisms living in an specific area.
Biosphere – means all life on Earth
Rain forests have “more biodiversity” than other locations in the world, but are threatened by human activities. Deforestation, Cattle Raising – causing loss of TREES.

48. Principles of Population Growth
Population- a group of organisms, all of the same species, that live in a specific area
There are populations of maple trees, fruit flies, blue birds, and house cats
Every organism is a member of a population
A healthy population will grow and die on its own unless attacked in some way
Loss of water, food, or space; predators

49. Studying Population Changes
Scientists study changes in populations in a variety of ways
They introduce organisms into an environment and document how the existing organisms react.
This happens when you introduce bacteria into oil- you can watch the growth of the population
Studying populations of larger organisms (moose) in a national park require monitors spaced throughout the park

50. How Fast Do Populations Grow?
The graph of a growing population starts out slowly, then begins to resemble a J-shaped curve
The rate of growth increases, because there are more individuals that are able to reproduce
The J-shaped curve represents exponential growth
Exponential growth means that as the population gets larger, it also grows at a faster rate
This has unchecked growth
J -Shaped Population
Curve Graph.

51. What Limits Growth? Population growth is not infinite
Limiting factors, such as availability of food, disease, predators, or lack of space, will cause growth to slow
This causes a S-shaped growth curve
S – Shaped population
Curve Graph.

52. Carrying Capacity
Carrying capacity- the number of organisms of one species that an environment can support indefinitely. Maximum population that lives.
When a population reaches or exceeds carrying capacity, the limiting factors come into effect
The number of deaths exceeds the number of births until the population falls below carrying capacity
Many different types of populations do this naturally
Ex) bacteria, butterflies, flowers, deer

53. Density-dependent factors
Disease, competition, predators, parasites, food
Have an increasing effect as population increases
The factors affect populations that live closer together more
Density-independent factors- can affect populations regardless of their density
Most are abiotic factors (volcanic eruptions, temperature, storms, floods, drought, etc.)
All populations can be affected, but the most vulnerable are small organisms (insects)

54. World Population Every 10 years, a census is taken.
This shows how many people live in US, where they are, and economic condition
The United Nations Population Division tracks this information all over the world
One thing they use is the rate of population growth and decline
These figures are used for demography
The study of human population size, density and distribution, movement, and birth/ death rates

55. Human Population Growth
Population growth is different in humans compared to other organisms, because humans can consciously change their environments
Humans have eradicated diseases (small pox)
Humans developed methods for producing more food and clean water
Infant mortality has decreased
These factors result in humans living longer and producing offspring that live longer

56. Ecology and Growth
The needs of populations differ throughout the world
Some are concerned about providing the most basic needs for their growing population
Other populations of stable growth are concerned about maintaining the healthy conditions that they already have
Population needs
Uncontaminated water, agriculture, adequate sewage facilities, the ability to provide food

57. Measuring Biodiversity
(2002) 1.75 million species identified
Estimated about 14 million
Insects account for 50%

58. Genetic diversity- overall population … Frogs
Concerns include bison, crop plants, cheetahs
All Species diversity in a communities.
How all species interact in the Community.
Global effects – speciation and extinction
Local effects – immigration and emigration
Ex: Deer, squirrels, rabbits together..
Ecosystem diversity
Community diversity
Habitat diversity
Landscape diversity

59. Natural Selection is….
--the process by which heritable traits that increase an organism’s chances of survival and reproduction are favored than less beneficial traits.
natural selection is the process that results in the evolution of organism. Survival of the fittest.

60. Read this short Article on “Natural Selection” and “Adaptations” of the Zebra. “How Zebras Got Their Stripes”
Are a zebra’s stripes an adaptation of natural selection?
If so, are they a structural or behavior adaptation?
Zebra stripes are definitely an adaptation. Stripes were originally a mutation, or genetic change, in a zebra’s fur. Due to the helpful nature of the mutation, it was passed down from one generation to the next. ( the stripes were “some sort of advantage that allowed [zebras] to reproduce more prolifically than their unstriped brethren.”) As more and more zebras inherited the mutation, the mutation became a typical part of the species—an adaptation.
Zebra stripes are definitely a structural adaptation, meaning they are a physical part (fur) of the animal itself.

61. Causes of Extinction of a Species HIPPCO to remember
Causes of Extinction of a Species HIPPCO to remember. Threats to biodiversity.
Habitat Destruction and Loss
Invasive Species – note
Pollution
Population
Climate Change
Overexploitation

62. Causes of Extinction of a Species H - HIPPCO
Habitat destruction or alteration
Habitat degradation- the damage to a habitat by pollution
Grazing, farming  desertification
Damming of rivers
Urbanization and suburban sprawl
Global climate change

63. I - HIPPCO Invasive species –
Cane Toads, KUDZO vines (see pic), fire ants, Asian Tiger mosquito

64. Invasive Species – Video clips.
Cane Toads.
KUDZO Vines
Asian Tiger Mosquito

65. Causes of Extinction of a Species P -HIPPCO
Pollution
Air pollution degrades forests.
Water pollution affects fish and amphibians.

66. P - HIPPCO
Population growth poses a threat indirectly through other components of the HIPPCO dilemma.

67. Causes of Extinction of a Species C - HIPPCO Climate Change
May cause the following:
changes in distribution of species,
increased extinction rates,
changes in reproduction timings, and
changes in length of growing seasons for plants.

68. O -HIPPCO
Overexploitation basically overuse- depletes resources and availability of material or organism.
“Overharvesting” – hunting, commercial fishing
“Overconsumption” – use of paper products

69. Search for Solutions on Protecting Species from extinction. .
Conservation biology
Umbrella species
Endangered species act
Captive breeding, reintroduction efforts
Cloning
International conservation efforts
Biodiversity hotspots
Community based conservation

70. Endangered or Threatened Species.
A species is considered an endangered species when its numbers become so low that extinction is possible
Ex) California Condor, Sea Turtles
A threatened species is one that the population is likely to be endangered
Ex) African Elephants
These species (threatened and endangered) are monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service all over the world.

71. Problems to our Ecosystems.
1. Pollutants can enter the atmosphere in many ways
This includes volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and burning fossil fuels, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, ocean garbage.
2. -Acid precipitation-
3. -Holes in the OZONE are produced by chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
4. -Invasive Species (exotic)
Ex) Goats were brought to Santa Catalina Island in California and 48 species of plants disappeared from the local environment
Ex) The Erie canal made it possible for sea lamprey to swim into the Great Lakes. They would suck fluids from the fish and they eliminated several species of fish

72. MORE ABOUT SPECIES: The “Benefits” of Biodiversity- and the “NON-Benefits” of having many different Species
Valuable ecosystem services
Provides “keystone species”
Natural classrooms with lots of food webs.
Enhances food security
Provides traditional medicines
Provides economic benefits – tourism.
A keystone species is a plant or animal that plays a unique and crucial role in the way an ecosystem functions.
The most common examples of "keystone species" are the beaver, sea otter, and grizzly bear in North America and the African elephant.

73. Biodiversity Hotspots
Protects specific areas rather than species.
Hotspot – area that supports a great diversity of species

74. Invasive species threaten stability
Invasive species = non-native (exotic) organisms that spread widely and become dominant in a community.
Introduced deliberately or accidentally from elsewhere
Growth-limiting factors (predators, disease, competitors, etc.) are removed or absent

75. How Invasive Species Are Successful
No natural predators
Checks and balances are not present
Introduction could be natural due to climate change
Establish by taking over native species
Needs to be a suitable climate and have enough resources
May form mutualistic relationships with native species – meaning a give and take relationship.

76. Look Up the Invasive Species in NC
Picked for attractiveness and hardiness
Bradford pear,
Chinese privet,
Queen Anne’s Lace
Invasive Species: Tend to be thought of as native, but are not and have been introduced either by people, shipments or other ways from imported goods or tourists returning with items.

77. Examples of Nonnative Species in NC
Birds: Starling from Europe, pigeons native to Europe, house sparrows and house finches
Plants: princess tree, kudzu, English ivy
Fish: carp, catfish, rainbow trout

78. Two invasive mussels – Zebra and Quagga MUSSELS. Video clip

79. Negative Impacts of Invasive Species
Prey on native species
Carry and spread disease
Outcompete native species for resources
Degrade overall health of forest
Decrease biodiversity

80. In North Carolina,
most of the mature Piedmont forests are dominated by deciduous trees, while most mature coastal upland forests are dominated by evergreen conifers. What factor contributes to this difference?
Answer: Most soils in coastal areas are sand-rich and of high permeability, favoring the deep root systems typical of coniferous trees.

81. Controlling invasive species
Removing them manually
Applying toxic chemicals
Drying them out
Depriving them of oxygen
Stressing them with heat, sound, electricity, carbon dioxide, or ultraviolet light
Control and eradication are hard and expensive
Prevention, rather than control, is the best policy

82. Invasive Species are costly.
The cost to control invasive species and the damages they inflict upon property and natural resources in the U.S. is estimated at $137 billion annually.
North Carolina has been invaded by a number of harmful exotic plants and animals.

83. Altered communities can be restored
Humans have dramatically changed ecological systems
Severely degraded systems cease to function
Ecological restoration = efforts to restore communities are all good and costly.

84. Restoration
Restoration is informed by restoration ecology - the science of restoring an area to an earlier condition
To restore the system’s functionality (i.e. filtering of water by a wetland)
It is difficult, time-consuming, and expensive $$$
It is best to protect natural systems from degradation in the first place

85. Restoration efforts
Prairie restoration = replanting native species, controlling invasive species
The world’s largest project = Florida Everglades
Flood control and irrigation removed water
Populations of wading birds dropped 90-95%
It will take 30 years and billions of dollars to restore natural water flow in the
everglades.

86. Everglade Restoration Video clips.
mins
mins
Tour of the Everglades
3:30 mins
Look for a Kahoot Review on Ecology.. On my webpage..