1. Ecology

2. Ecology
Definition- the study of the interaction between plants and animals and their interrelationships with the physical environment.
Organisms are studied in relationship to other organisms and their environment.

3. Populations
Definition-made up of members of a species living in a given area.
Species- a group of organisms that can interbreed among themselves and produce fertile offspring.

4. Communities
Definition- all the plant and animal populations in a given area make up a community.

5. Ecosystems
Definition- is the self contained interdependent system of living and non-living things.
1. Characteristics of an Ecosystem:
A constant source of energy
Populations of organisms to store the energy in the form of organic compound.
A continuous cycling of materials between populations and their environment.
A flow of energy from one population to another.
2. Energy source for ecosystems
sunlight, may also be heat from the earth's interior (ecosystems on ocean floors)

6. Ecosystems (continued)
Examples of ecosystems:
A forest or wilderness uninhabited by humans
A farm community that produces all the food it needs and makes all the other things it needs from materials found in the community.
An aquarium is an artificial ecosystem.

7. Biospheres Definition- The portion of the Earth in which life exists.
Includes oceans, all land areas and soil, lower part of the atmosphere, and all ecosystems of the earth

8. Biotic vs Abiotic

9. Biotic Environment Definition: the living part of the environment
Biological
Living
Animals
Viruses
Bacteria
Humans

10. Biotic Factors Competition exists for available food resources.
Plants may compete for the light needed to carryout photosynthesis.
A living organism can be affected by a living component of its environment.

11. Examples of Biotic Tulip Polar Bear Leaf Goldfish Moss Bumblebee
A cell
People
Salamander
Raccoon
Deer
Earthworm
Maple tree
Eagle
Snake
Corn on the plant
Raspberry bush

12. Abiotic Environment
Definition: the physical or non-living parts of the environment
Try not to get mix up with biotic environment
Remember, “A” means not (ex. Symmetrical and Asymmetrical)
Sunlight
Wind
Temperature
Moisture – water, rain, clouds
soil

13. Abiotic Factors
Ability of an organism to live depends on certain physical non-living factors
Intensity of light
Moisture
Type of rocks
Temperatures may affect the distribution of plants and animals.

14. Exmaples of Abiotic Oxygen Wind Sand Weather Clouds Fire Mountain Ice
Sunlight
Wind
Sand
Weather
Clouds
Fire
Mountain
Ice
Air
Minerals
Mud
Rocks
Temperature
Climate
Soil
Moon
Rain
Volcanoes
Lake
Gold

15. Nutritional Relationships

16. Definition
Nutritional Relationships - the interactions in an ecosystem providing each organism with the nutrients it needs for maintenance, growth, and reproduction.

17. Autotrophic/Heterotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic Nutrition - Organisms that can synthesize their own food from inorganic materials and a source of energy. Ex: Flowers, Trees, Shrubs
Heterotrophic Nutrition – All other organisms depend upon other organisms for food. Ex: Humans, Dogs, Lions

18. Heterotrophic Nutrition
4 Types of Food Dependency.
Saprophytes, Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores.
Saprophytes are decomposers. Ex: Mushrooms (Fungi), bacteria of decay

19. Herbivores: are plant consumers. Ex: Rabbits, deer, grasshopper
Carnivores are animals that eat other animals. Ex: Wolves
Omnivores are animals that eat both plants and animals. Ex: Humans

20. Carnivores: Predators and Scavengers
Predators kill and eat other living animals. Ex: Lions, Sharks, Hawks (Prey)
Scavengers eat dead organisms that they have not killed themselves. Ex: Vultures, Hyenas, Crabs

21. Symbiotic Relationships

22. What is a Symbiotic relationship?
Two different organisms that live in close nutritional relationships with each other to the benefit of at least one organism
It can or cannot be beneficial to both organisms
There are three types of relationships
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism

23. What is Commensalism (+, 0)
When one organism benefits without the harm to another organism
1. Remora and shark
2. barnacle and whale

24. What is Mutualism?
A relationship in which two organisms of different species work together, each benefiting from the relationship.
Organisms in a mutualistic relationship often evolve together.

25. What is Parasitism?
A relationship is one in which one organism the parasite lives off of another organism, the host.
It is usually harming it and possibly causing death.
Sometimes parasite lives on or in the body of the host.
It is a Host

26. ENERGY FLOW

27. FOOD CHAINS
Starts with a green plant or autotroph that converts energy from the sun into organic compounds.
The energy passes along through each animal in a chain, each eating the last organism.

29. PRODUCERS They are the autotrophs in every community.
Food for a community starts as organic compounds and is synthesized by green plants or other autotrophs.

30. CONSUMERS
The primary or first level consumers- organisms that feed on green plants; herbivores are consumers.
Secondary or second level consumers- usually eat primary consumers. (carnivores)
3rd level predators eat 2nd level consumers while 4th level consumers eat 3rd level consumers.
Animals 2nd level & higher are carnivores

31. DECOMPOSERS (Bacteria of Decay)
Break down the organic remains of dead organisms.
Use the the energy stored in the organic material and produce simple compounds that are put back into the earth.
These nutrients can be reused by other organisms.

32. PYRAMID OF ENERGY
The pyramid of energy says that as food is consumed, less energy is available to the next level organism in usable form.
See more energy at the producer level then the primary or secondary consumer, etc.
Energy not transferred is converted to heat energy and lost by radiation from the earth.

33. PYRAMID OF ENERGY

35. PYRAMID OF BIOMASS
The amount of living organisms that can be supported at a feeding level depends on the amount of energy available at their level.
The total mass of living organisms (biomass) at each level is much less than the previous level.

36. Materials Cycle

37. Carbon-Hydrogen-Oxygen Cycle
Photosynthesis
Plants utilize CO2 and Water to produce O2 and Glucose
Cell Respiration
Humans utilize O2 and Glucose to produce CO2 and Water

38. Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Cycle

39. Water Cycle
H2O cycle: describes the continuous movement of water, on above and below the surface of the earth
Individual water molecules can come and go, in and out of the atmosphere
The water moves from one reservoir to another, such as from river to ocean, or from ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, run off, and subsurface flow
In doing so the water goes through different phases liquid, solid, and gas
Water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads to temperature changes
When water evaporates it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment
When it condenses it releases energy and warms the environment
Heat exchanges influence climate

40. Water cycle involves the exchange of energy, which leads to temperature changes
When water evaporates it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment
When it condenses it releases energy and warms the environment
Heat exchanges influence climate
By transferring water from one reservoir to another, the water cycle purifies water, replenishes the land with freshwater, and transports minerals to different parts of the globe
It is also involved in reshaping the geological features of the earth, through such processes as erosion and sedimentation
The Water cycle figures significantly in the maintenance of life and ecosystems

41. Water Cycle Continued

42. Greenhouse Effect:
the result of gasses being trapped in the atmosphere by pollutants such as smog

44. Acid Rain results from pollutants being converted into acids

45. Ecological Succession

46. Succession
Ecological Succession is the process by which an existing community is slowly replaced by another community over time.
Ecosystems tend to go through a progressive transformation with time as biotic and abiotic factors change them.

47. Succession
Ecological succession starts with a barren and lifeless environments disturbed by destructive or natural events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires etc.

48. Primary Succession
If there is no life in the area and no soil formation the process is called PRIMARY SUCCESSION.
Essential in primary succession is soil formation and preparation.

49. Primary Succession (lichen and mosses) Symbiosis? ___________
After an ecosystem is destroyed the first organism to live in a destroyed or barren area are pioneer organisms.
Pioneer organisms
(lichen and mosses) Symbiosis? ___________
1. Pioneer organisms come into the environment by spores in the wind.
2. Lichen and mosses usually grow on bare rock and break it down into soil.
3. Once there is soil, pioneer organisms are replaced by larger organisms such as grasses, shrubs and trees.

50. Primary Succession

51. Secondary Succession
Secondary succession happens when a existing community has been wiped out but still contains soil for new life to form

52. Climax Community
Succession of one community by another goes on until a mature, stable community develops is called a CLIMAX COMMUNITY.
Ecosystem with climax community the conditions continue to be suitable for all members of the community.
Climax Community remains until it is upset by a destroyed.

53. Succession of land

54. Succession in Lakes and Ponds

55. COMPETITION
the conflict between individual organisms seeking to obtain food, water, shelter/living space
a symbiotic relationship between or among living things for resources, such as food, water, shelter, space, mate, or ecological status

56. COMPETITION
An example of biological competition is when two species fight over one area or resource. For instance, in a rainforest, one tree grows taller and higher than all the other trees surrounding it, absorbing the sunlight and not allowing any of the sunlight to reacher the smaller trees to help nourish them.
Bigger Trees
Smaller Trees

57. NICHES
the particular way that a species relates to and uses the environment and obtains food
the role of a species in a community
the type of food an organism needs, the places it lives and reproduces in, the time of day it is active in
the norm is one species per niche

58. NICHES only one species per area. For example:
within the area of a tree, different Warblers occupy different levels the tree.
The trunk area is a niche, the middle area is a niche, and the top of the tree where the hawks are is a niche as well.

59. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPETITION AND NICHES
The connection between competition and niches is that if two species COMPETE for the same NICHE, it usually will result in the elimination of one of the species because only one species normally occupies a niche.

60. Terrestrial Biomes

61. Definition
The Biomes of the land areas of the earth

62. Abiotic Factors Average annual temperature
Annual temperature ranges from high to low
Intensity and duration of solar radiation
Annual precipitation
These factors make up the climate of a region
The earth is divided into climate zones: North and South of the equator, by elevation

63. Types of Terrestrial Biomes:
Tundra
Taiga
Temperate Deciduous Forest
Grassland
Desert
Tropical Rain Forest

64. Tundra Climate: Vegetation: Long and very cold winters
Short growing season
Vegetation:
Lichens
Mosses
Grasses
Sedges
Shrubs

65. Taiga Climate: Vegetation: Cold winters Lots of snow
Growing season: 4 months
Vegetation:
Coniferous trees (pines, firs, spruces)

66. Temperate Deicduous Forest
Climate:
Cold winters
Hot and humid summers
abundant rainfall
Vegetation:
Deciduous forests of oak, maple, hickory, beech, chestnut,birch
Trees
Flower
Plants
Ferns
Mosses

67. Grassland Climate: Vegetation: Temperate to tropical Moderate rainfall
Can not support trees
Vegetation:
Chiefly grasses and wildflowers

68. Desert Climate: Vegetation: Hot days, cool nights Very little rainfall
Can not support grass
Vegetation:
Sparse growth of flowing plans specifically adapted to require little water (cactus)

69. Tropical Rain Forest Climate: Vegetation:
High temperatures constant all year
Frequent rainfall
Very Humid
Vegetation:
Large broad-leaved trees
Vines
Epiphytes

72. Humans in the Biosphere

73. Negative Impacts Human population growth Over hunting
Importation of organisms
Exploitation
Poor land use management
Adverse effects of technology

74. Human population growth
The increase in population growth has had a negative impact on the environment.
The expansion of our living space has taken land from the other animals and organisms ecosystems.
Increase in population leads to a higher demand of food.
The need for large amounts of food has influenced the use of fertilizers. fertilizers can pollute the air, soil, and the water.

75. Over Hunting
Over hunting leads directly to depletion of a species. Humans have an advantage over many animals, due to our technology we can over hunt most populations. Over hunting also affects other species that are predators/ prey to the hunted animal. The extinction of one animal can impact a whole community and therefore we have a loss in ____________________
The dodo bird went extinct in the mid to late 17th century.
The Blue Whale is not extinct yet, but they are on the brink of extinction due to over hunting in the 1900s. Whales were used for their oil.

76. Importation of organisms
Transfer of organisms to low-competition regions caused increased reproduction and displaced other desirable species, potentially leading to disruption of the ecosystem.
The Gypsy Moth, imported to the U.S. in the nine-teenth century for purposes of the sil industry, badly defoliated neighborhood trees.
The Japanese beetle, a destructive beetle, was accidentally imported to the U.S. in the 1900s and is now a serious pest.

77. The Japanese Longhorn Beatle

78. Bed Bugs

79. Exploitation of Animals
The exploitation of animals is when animals are hunted or used for purposes other than a food source. Animals such as elephants are hunted for their tusks and bears in india are used for entertainment.

80. Deforestation is also an example of exploitation
Deforestation is also an example of exploitation. Trees are used for paper products. They also occupy space that humans can live on, trees are cut down to make more room for our industries and houses. The exploitation of animals and plants results in decrease in their population or extinction of the entire species.

81. Poor land use management
The overpopulation of humans and the abundance of buildings have affected various ecosystems as well as the nutrient content in the soil.

82. Adverse effects of technology
It has been said that cellphone signals confuses bees and can cause death.
Adverse effects of technology
With the increase in technological breakthroughs, there has been major changes in environmental conditions.
one of them being water pollution. Water pollution and Thermal pollution harms the biotic communities in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Air pollution is caused mostly by cars and can result in smog and acid rain. Acid rain erodes buildings and sculptures, as well as kills trees and aquatic animals.
The disposal of waste like cans, bottles, and plastics is a big problem because of the increase in waste and decrease in space. This problem can be fixed simply by reducing the amounts we uses, reusing the items we buy, and recycling the materials that are used to make them. if not disposed of correctly these wastes end up in the water and litterign the land. They get in the way of animals and interrupt their daily life; occasionally these wastes are the cause of death.
pesticides and herbicides have a direct effect on insects and have caused negative changes in the soil and water. When the persticdes makes its way into the soil it so reaches the water system and taints it. This makes the water unsafe to drink and puts many animals including people in harms way.

85. Positive Aspects population control Conservation of resources
Pollution controls
Species conservation
Use of biological controls
State environmental laws

86. Population Control
In certain overpopulated regions, restrictions on the amount of children per family have been put in place.
The One Child Policy in China limits each couple to having only one child.

87. Conservation of Resources
Conservation of soil is very important to the cultivation of food. It is necessary to rotate crops and create barriers so the soil does not erode or lose its nutrients. One way in which farmers return nutrients to the soil is through Slash and burn agriculture. the controlled burning of plants provides nutrients from the ashes for healthier soil.
Like shrubs and other plants help prevent erosion on farms, doon help slow down the process of erosion on beaches.
water is also another natural resource that needs to conserved. Fresh water is needed by everyone and everything to survive. The conservation of clean water is vital to survival of living things.

88. Use of biological controls
The use of natural means of pest control can eliminate unwanted pests as well as preserve the environment.

89. Species Preservation
Development of wildlife refuges and national parks has helped bring back endangered species of animals and preserve their existence.

90. State environmental protection controls
The Clean Air Act (1970): a federal law that regulates the level of air admissions. This gives the EPA the athority to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health.
Clean Water act (1972): Gave the Epa the authority to regulate the pollution released into the water in the United States.
The Endangered Animal Act (1973): provides a program o help conserve plants, animals, and habitats. This gives the Epa authority to remove threatened animals for protection.