ecology u the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment
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Ecology
The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.
Organisms
All living things. Studied at many levels.
living things are organized from- atom to the biosphere.
Levels of Organiztion
1. The atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and organ systems are the levels that make up an organism.
2. The interactions of Organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere, are studied by an Ecologist.
Environment
Abiotic Factors: non-living factors. Biotic Factors: living factors and
the effect of them on themselves and other organisms.
Ex: Competition, Predation, Productivity
Abiotic Factors
1. Temperature2. Water (salinity)3. Sunlight4. Wind5. Rocks and Soil6. Disturbance
Climate
Shapes environments and what organisms can live in a particular area.
Climatic Factors
Solar Radiation and LatitudeChanges the amount of light and energy delivered per surface area.
Axis Tilt/Seasons Air/Water Circulation Patterns
(convection currents)
Result
Poles: less light = less available energy
Equator: more light = more available energy
The unequal heating causes air and water to circulate.
Seasons
Caused by the Earth's tilt. Day length changes over time. Many organisms are restricted in
range by how well they adapt to changing seasons.
examples: hibernation, dormancy, estivation, food storage, migration
Global Air Patterns
Air rises when heated, sinks when cools.
Zones of convection are created. Earth's rotation causes zones to
"twist”. Westerlies, Trade winds, and
doldrums, La Nina, El Nino
Result
Air circulation patterns. Rainfall patterns.
rising air: wet areas descending air: dry areas
Biomes
Broad geographical regions with characteristic communities of organisms.
Biomes Controlled by:
Temperature range Water, and amount of rainfall Geography which may
include altitude
Tropical Forests Areas covered with dense
growth of trees and vines. Climate:
Warm temperatures. Constant day length. High water.
Tropical Forests
Tropical Forests
Have the greatest diversity of species of any area on Earth.
Soil is usually very infertile. Most of the nutrients are in the plant life.
One of the most endangered Biomes.
Savanna
Grasslands with a few trees. Climate with three growing
seasons: Cool and dry Hot and dry Warm and wet
Savanna
Rich in herbivores and predator species.
Only major biome not found on North America.
Desert Characterized by plants adapted to
dry growing conditions. Climate:
Dry (<30cm/yr). May be cold or hot.
Often found in areas of descending air masses.
Low productivity, but still fairly diverse in species.
Chaparral
Characterized by spiny evergreen shrubs.
Climate: Mild rainy winters Hot summers
Ex: Southern California
Chaparral
Maintained by fires. Plants adapted to periodic
fires by seeds or re-growing from the roots.
Temperate Grasslands
Grasses and other herbs are the dominant vegetation.
Climate: Intermediate water Relatively cold winters
Grasslands
Very productive for agriculture. (wheat, corn)
Need disturbance (fires) to keep trees out.
Come in several types: Tall grass Short grass
Temperate Forests
Deciduous trees dominate. Climate:
Relatively high rain Cold winters
Very little natural area left. Good diversity of species.
Taiga
Coniferous trees dominate. Climate:
Long cold winters Short wet summers Long summer daylength
Taiga or Boreal Forest
Relatively low species diversity.
Being logged at an alarming rate.
Tundra
Grasses and sedges dominate.
Climate: Very cold and dry Low light in winter
Tundra Permafrost present. Plants low in height. Poor species diversity.
Altitude and Latitude
Mirror each other. Their Biomes are similar because the environments are similar.
Ex: Alpine = Tundra
Aquatic Biomes
Fresh water Biomes
Have <1% salt concentration. Strongly influenced by
temperature and light. Classification – based on
water flow patterns.
Marine Biomes
Cover 3/4 of the Earth's surface.
Average 3% salt. Controlled by light and the
distance to the shore.
Light Zones
Photic - Enough light for Ps. Red light lost rapidly as depth increases.
Aphotic - Lacks enough light for Ps and depends on food made in photic zone for energy. Part of the most extensive biome on the planet.
Estuaries
Where a freshwater river meets the ocean.
Salinity variable. Very productive
Biome.
Marine Biomes
Intertidal
Coral Reefs
Pelagic
Benthos
Pelagic The vast realm of open blue
water found past the continental shelves.
thermal stratification with a constant mixing of warm and cold ocean currents.
The flora in the pelagic zone include surface seaweeds. The fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphins. Many feed on the abundant plankton.
Coral Reef Characterized by
coral. Cnidarians who have a symbiotic relationship with algae. (coral bleaching?)
Found in shallow warm waters.
Very productive. High species
diversity.
Benthos
The bottom of the zone consists of sand, slit, and/or dead organisms. Here temperature decreases as depth increases
light cannot penetrate through the deeper water.
very nutrient-rich, include all sorts of bacteria, fungi, sponges, sea anemones, worms, sea stars, and fishes.
Summary
Know what is involved with the study of “Ecology”.
Know the major factors of planet Earth (abiotic) that shape climate.
Know the major biomes and the factors that control them.
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