1. Ecology 2

2. Energy Pyramids
Energy Pyramids show the loss of energy at each feeding level in a food chain Only 10% of energy is passed onto the next level in a food chain. The other 90% is lost in the form of Heat as animals use energy for their metabolism

3. Energy Pyramids
The Primary Source of energy for the energy pyramid is the Sun The Most Energy is found in the bottom of the pyramid The Least Energy is found at the top of the pyramid

4. Energy Pyramids
The amount of energy available at each level determines how many organisms can survive The top of the pyramid has the least energy, so we have the least number of top consumers

5. Organism Relationships
Organisms that live together have symbiotic relationships. These relationships have different names based on whether or not the animals help, hurt or don’t affect each other.

6. Organism Relationships
1) Commensalism is when one animal benefits and the other is NOT affected
Egret and Grazing Mammals
Barnacles and Whales

7. Organism Relationships
2) Mutualism is when both animals benefit
Oxpecker and Zebra
Bees and Flowers

8. Organism Relationships
3) Parasitism is when one animal benefits and the other animals is harmed
Caterpillar
and Leaf
Tapeworm
Fleas

9. Organism Relationships
4) Predation is when one animal hunts, kills and consumes another

10. Organism Relationships
5)Competition is when animals compete for the same resource

11. Organism Relationships

12. Carrying Capacity
Carrying Capacity is the maximum number of organisms that can survive in an ecosystem
This is based on Biotic (living) factors and Abiotic (nonliving) factors including:
Food resources
Predators
Shelter
Water
Space
Sunlight
Temperature

13. Carrying Capacity
Once a population continues to grow and grow, it will reach the carrying capacity. If it overshoots this point, then the organisms will not have enough food, water or shelter to survive and the ‘excess’ organisms will die off
The carrying capacity of an ecosystem can decrease due to natural disasters like fires and earthquakes or human activity like deforestation

14. Population of World Link
Carrying Capacity
Population of World Link
Based on our current resource use and waste generation and the ability of the Earth to replenish, some scientists believe we are already in an overshoot

15. Population
Populations in ecosystems will change according to different factors such as natural disasters, droughts, disease, etc.
There are 2 types of factors:
Density-dependent factors: things that change a population and are affected by density such as the spread of disease or parasites
2) Density-independent factors: things that change a population regardless of density such as natural disasters

16. Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life in an ecosystem Biodiversity is CRITICAL to having a stable and balanced environment! -More links on a food web -Larger variety of food sources and plants -Different niches/roles for more species If Biodiversity is decreased, an environment becomes less stable and less resilient (able to survive changes)

17. Biodiversity Biodiversity is impacted by a lot of factors including:
Natural disasters
Pollution
Introduction of an invasive species
(one that is not native)
Oil spills
Greenhouse effect (global warming)
Deforestation
Ecosystems heal themselves by a process called succession

18. Watch this video about Primary and Secondary Succession!

19. Review
An Acacia ant lives inside of a particular plant. The plant provides protection for the ant, and the ant prevents harmful insects from invading the plant. What type of relationship is this?
MUTUALISM!

20. Review
Barnacles live on the skin of whales. The barnacles are able to acquire more food and the whale is unaffected. What type of relationship is this?
COMMENSALISM!

21. Review
Caterpillars eat the leaves of plants. What type of relationship is this?
PARASITISM!

22. Quick Write
For 2 minutes, write a short story of a Natural Disaster or other factor that has affected the Biodiversity of our area (Houston-Galveston) and how you think our area is recovering or not from this event.