1. travismulthaupt.com Chapter 50 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

2. travismulthaupt.com Ecology  Ecology is the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.  Ecology and evolution are closely related.

3. travismulthaupt.com Ecology and Evolution  Darwin made many observations regarding the distribution of organisms and their adaptations.  He asserted that evolutionary change could result from interactions between organisms and their environment.

4. travismulthaupt.com Biogeography  When Wallace, Darwin, and other naturalists began identifying distribution patterns of organisms based on biogeographical realms, the science of biogeography took off.  The various flora and fauna are found within the major biogeographical realms. Additionally, they are associated with patterns of continental drift.

5. travismulthaupt.com Biogeographical Realms  These realms were identified as being major barriers that have impeded the free flow of organisms.  They represent major barriers such as deserts and mountain ranges  Continental drift has played a major role in their formation.

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7. Biogeography  Dispersal is the movement of organisms throughout the biosphere.  Movement of organisms from a highly populated region throughout the globe contributes to the global diversity of organisms.  To study this movement, scientists have developed a flow chart to examine dispersal and distribution.

8. travismulthaupt.com The Flow-Chart  The analysis of the flow chart analyzes the answers to the following questions:  1. Does dispersal limit distribution?  2. Does behavior limit distribution?  3. Do biotic factors limit distribution?  4. Do abiotic factors limit distribution?

9. travismulthaupt.com 1. Does Dispersal Limit Distribution?  How do animals expand their natural range? What factors govern these dispersal and distribution patterns?

10. travismulthaupt.com 2. Does Behavior Limit Distribution?  This is the least understood question. How does an animal’s behavior and its interaction with the environment influence the habitat selection?

11. travismulthaupt.com 3. Do Biotic Factors Limit Distribution?  Is the distribution of species governed by interactions with other species-- parasites, predators, disease, and competitors?

12. travismulthaupt.com 4. Do Abiotic Factors Limit Distribution?  Abiotic factors govern many distribution patterns--the amount of temperature, water, sunlight, and wind--the major components of climate.

13. travismulthaupt.com An Organism’s Environment  Any organism’s environment includes both biotic and abiotic components.  Biotic-include all living organisms in the environment.  Abiotic-all non-living portions of the environment.  Questions regarding the influence of these environmental variables is at the heart of many ecological studies.

14. travismulthaupt.com Common Ecological Questions:  These deal with distribution and abundance.  More specifically:  1. Where do the organisms live?  2. Why do they live there?  3. And how many are there?  Examining these patterns are difficult because of the influence of biotic and abiotic factors.

15. travismulthaupt.com Ecology Vs. Environmentalism  It is important not to get these terms confused.  Ecology studies organisms and their interaction with the environment.  Environmentalism seeks to use ecological studies for the advocacy and protection of the environment.

16. travismulthaupt.com Climate  To understand the environment, you need to understand not only the organisms, but the climate as well.  Climate can be discussed on two scales:  1. Macroclimate  2. Microclimate

17. travismulthaupt.com 1. Macroclimate  Climate patterns on the global, regional, and local level are referred to as macroclimate.

18. travismulthaupt.com 2. Microclimate  The microclimate refers to the very fine, small-scale patterns encountered on the local level such as underneath a fallen log.

19. travismulthaupt.com Global Climate  Global climate patterns are determined largely by the input of solar energy and to the planet’s movement through space.  This influences the temperature of air, land, and water.  These cycles influence the movement of air, and ultimately the climate patterns of Earth.

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22. Global Climate  In addition to the solar input and movement of Earth, land masses also influence the climate.  Bodies of water and mountain ranges also shape weather patterns.

23. travismulthaupt.com Bodies of Water  Offshore vs. onshore breezes.  Ocean currents.

24. travismulthaupt.com Mountain Ranges  For every 1000m increase in elevation, there is a 6°C drop in temperature.  When warm air meets the windward side of the mountain, its water is wrung out.  The leeward side of the mountain is subjected to a cool, dry, descending air mass that absorbs moisture. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/imagerecords/11000/11521/Madagascar.TMOA2003155.jpg

25. travismulthaupt.com Bodies of Water  These are sensitive to changes in temperature. When the temperature changes, turnover occurs.  In the fall, the surface water cools and sinks to the bottom.  In the spring, the surface water warms (from 0°C) and sinks.  Each time, oxygen rich water sinks to the bottom and nutrient rich water rises to the top. www.takemefishing.org

26. travismulthaupt.com Biomes  Biomes are the major types of ecological associations that occupy large geographical regions.  Aquatic biomes occupy about 75% of the Earth’s surface.  1. Marine biomes.  2. Freshwater biomes.

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28. 1. Marine Biomes  Have an average salt concentration of 3%.  The temperature of the oceans and their currents have a great effect on the Earth’s temperature and wind patterns.  Marine biomes also contain algae and photosynthetic bacteria that produce much of the Earth’s O 2 and consume large amounts of CO 2.

29. travismulthaupt.com 2. Freshwater Biomes  These are closely linked to the soils and biotic components of terrestrial biomes through which the water passes.

30. travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes  Many aquatic biomes are physically and chemically stratified.  Light gets absorbed by water and the organisms in it.  They can be broken up into the photic zone and the aphotic zone.  The photic zone receives sufficient light for photosynthesis.  The aphotic zone receives little light.

31. travismulthaupt.com Benthic Zone  At the bottom of an aquatic biome is the benthic zone.  It is made up of sand and inorganic sediments.

32. travismulthaupt.com Water Temperature  Water temperature is stratified along what is known as a thermocline.  The thermocline is fairly narrow and the upper portion of the body is all that’s warmed.  The vast majority of the water remains quite cold.

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34. Aquatic Communities  The communities of organisms in aquatic environments are distributed according to depth, amount of light, distance from shore, and open water vs. the bottom.

35. travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes  Aquatic biomes consist of both fresh water and marine environments.  These biomes are affected by the physical and chemical environments, geological features, photosynthetic organisms, animals, and humans.

36. travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes  Freshwater biomes consist of:  1. Freshwater Lakes  2. Wetlands  3. Streams and Rivers  4. Estuaries

37. travismulthaupt.com Aquatic Biomes  Marine Biomes consist of:  1. Intertidal Zones  2. Oceanic Pelagic Biomes  3. Coral Reefs  4. Marine Benthic Zones

38. travismulthaupt.com Terrestrial Biomes  Terrestrial biomes consist of:  1. Tropical Forests--equatorial, subequatorial  2. Deserts--30° N and S latitude  3. Savannahs--equatorial, subequatorial  4. Chaparral--midlatitude coastal regions  5. Temperate Grasslands--usually on the interior  6. Coniferous Forests--northern edges of N. hemi  7. Temperate Broadleaf Forests--usually mid lat.  8. Tundra--expansive areas of the arctic

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