Introduction to Ecosystems

Ecology

Ecology

• Ecology is the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment.

– An organism is any living thing• Examples: Humans, animals, plant, bacteria

Ecology

• The Biosphere– The biosphere is the living world

– Includes any organisms that are found in the air, on land, or in the water

Ecology

• The Ecosystem– Is a self supporting area composed of

living and nonliving things such as the Rain Forest or the Desert

– It produces energy, transfers energy, decomposes, and recycles

– It made up of two (2) types of factors:• Biotic and Abiotic

Ecology

• Abiotic Factors– are non

living parts of the environment such as rocks, the sun, and temperature

Ecology

• Biotic Factors– The living parts of

the environment such as plants, bacteria, and animals

Ecology

• Community– Is composed of all of the populations of

different organisms living together in a given area such as your lawn (contains grass, insects, and worms)

• A population is a group of organisms that belong to the same species & live in a given area

– Ex: heard of cattle or a gaggle of geese

Ecology

• Biome– Is a major type of ecosystem with its

own temperature ranges, rainfall amounts, and types of organisms

Biomes

Aquatic Biomes&

Land Biomes

Aquatic Biomes

• Marine (Salt Water)– Location: Oceans & Estuaries

– Types of Organisms: Kelp, Whales, Dolphins, Sharks, Tuna, Crabs, Shrimp, Lobsters, Salmon, Eels, Plankton

Aquatic Biomes

• Marine

Aquatic Biomes

• Freshwater– Location: Wetlands, Rivers, Streams,

Ponds, Lakes, & Creeks

– Types of Organisms: Algae, Muskrats, Ducks, Geese, Fish, Pike, Carp, Bass, & Catfish

Land Biomes

• Fresh Water

Aquatic Biomes

• Photic Zone – marine zone in which there is the presence of light from the sun (plants can grow in this zone)

• Aphotic Zone - marine zone in which no light from the sun is present (very few organisms live in this zone)

Aquatic Biomes

• Estuary – shallow area where salt water and fresh water mix

Aquatic Biomes

• Wetland – area where fresh water, salt water, and land mix (marshes, swamps, and bogs)

Land Biomes

• Tundra– Location: northern North America,

northern Europe, northern Asia

– Climate: Cold, ground stays covered in snow, permafrost – permanent frozen layer of ground, scarce rainfall, very short summers

Land Biomes

• Tundra– Plants: mosses, lichens, small plants

that do need a lot of water

– Animals: caribou, migrating birds (come for the short summer)

Land Biomes

• Tundra

Land Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forest– Location: near the Equator, Africa, &

South America

– Climate: Hot and Humid, rains everyday

Land Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forest– Plants: Jungle (think Tarzan), very tall

trees, thick vegetation on the ground, dense canopy

– Animals: parrots, Apes, Toucans, Monkeys, Leopards, other predatory Cats, Snakes

Land Biomes

• Tropical Rain Forest

Land Biomes

• Coniferous Forest– Location: Canada, Washington (State),

Russia, China

– Climate: long cold Winters, short Summers, frequent Rain

Land Biomes

• Coniferous Forest– Plants: Evergreens (think Christmas

Trees), Pines, Spruces, Cedars

– Animals: Moose, Bear, Lynx, Hibernating Animals, Migrating Animals

Land Biomes

• Deciduous Forest– Location: eastern United States (think

about where we live), most of Europe, Australia

– Climate: hot Summers, cold Winters, Rainfall throughout the year

Land Biomes

• Deciduous Forest– Plants: Trees that lose their leaves,

Maples, Oaks, Hickories, Sycamores, Willows

– Animals: Bears, Foxes, Raccoons, Deer, Squirrels, Birds

Land Biomes

• Deciduous Forest

Land Biomes

• Desert – Location: Africa (think Scorpion King or

the Mummy)

– Climate: Hot, can snow at night, sparse Rainfall

Land Biomes

• Desert– Plants: Succulent Plants (retain water in

the leaves), Cacti, and small Shrubs

– Animals: Lizards, Snakes, small Rodents, other Rodents

Land Biomes

• Desert

Land Biomes

• Grassland– Location: Midwest United States (think

Little House on the Prairie), Africa (think the Lion King), Asia, South America

– Climate: long dry periods with occasional fires

Land Biomes

• Grassland– Plants: several species of Grasses,

scattered Trees, and Wildflowers

– Animals: burrowing Animals – Rabbits, Moles, & Rodents, grazing Animals – Buffalo, Zebras, and Giraffes, Lions, and Hyenas

Land Biomes

• Grassland

Land Biomes

• Chaparral

Land Biomes

• Taiga