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What is Ecology?What is

Ecology?

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Ecology:Study of interactions between organisms and their environment

Abiotic Factors- Non-living parts of the environment.

Biotic Factors- All the living parts of the environment

Producer- Uses the sun to make food “autotroph”

Consumer-organisms eat others for energy “heterotrophs”

Decomposer- break down dead organisms and cause decay

Scavenger-eats dead organisms

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See if you know the difference between the two!

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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

Biotic

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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

Abiotic

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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

Abiotic

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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

Biotic

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Biotic Factors Review Biotic Factors Review

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Biotic Factors Biotic Factors

ProducersOrganisms that make

their own food.Ex- Plants & some

bacteria

ProducersOrganisms that make

their own food.Ex- Plants & some

bacteria

Consumers:Organisms that eat

(consume) other organisms for energy (animals)

Consumers:Organisms that eat

(consume) other organisms for energy (animals)

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Biotic Factors Biotic Factors

• Decomposers: Consumers that eat waste products for energy. Waste products are feces, urine, fallen leaves, dead animals. (Fungi, some bacteria)

• Decomposers: Consumers that eat waste products for energy. Waste products are feces, urine, fallen leaves, dead animals. (Fungi, some bacteria)

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Levels of Organization

Levels of Organization

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Review: What are the Simplest Levels?

Review: What are the Simplest Levels?• Atom

• Molecule• Organelle• Cell• Tissue• Organ• Organ System

• Atom• Molecule• Organelle• Cell• Tissue• Organ• Organ System

Levels of OrganizationLevels of Organization

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2. Populations- groups of organisms of the same species.

1. Organism- individual possessing all 8 characteristics of life The 5 Levels

of Ecological Organization

3. Community- group of populations living together.

4. Ecosystem- living & nonliving parts interact together.

5. Biosphere- part of the earth that supports life

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Which Level of Ecological Organization?

Take this quiz to see if you can tell the difference between the

two!

Which Level of Ecological Organization?

Take this quiz to see if you can tell the difference between the

two!

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Which Level? Which Level?

• Organism • Organism

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Which Level of Organization?Which Level of Organization?

• Population• Population

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Which Level of Organization?Which Level of Organization?

• Biological Community:

• Biological Community:

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Which Level of Organization?Which Level of Organization?

Ecosystem:Ecosystem:

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Which Level of Organization?Which Level of Organization?

• Biosphere:• Biosphere:

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What level of organization?What level of organization?

Organism

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What level of Organization?What level of Organization?

Community

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What level of Organization?What level of Organization?

Population

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Habitat & NicheHabitat & Niche• Habitat is where something lives

• Niche is an organism’s total way of life (how it eats, competes with others)

• Habitat is where something lives

• Niche is an organism’s total way of life (how it eats, competes with others)

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Feeding RelationshipsFeeding Relationships

Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food (plants and some bacteria)….PRODUCERS!!

Heterotrophs: Organisms that eat other organisms (they cannot make their own food)….CONSUMERS!!!

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Feeding Relationships Feeding Relationships

Herbivores: eat plants (cows)

Carnivores: eat meat (wolves)

Omnivores: eat plants and meat (humans)

Detrivore: eat decaying (dead) materials

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FYI- Niche FYI- Niche

• Includes all its interactions with the biotic and abiotic parts of the environment

• Each type of organism occupies its own niche to avoid competition with other types of organisms

• Two species can share the same habitat but not the same niche

• Includes all its interactions with the biotic and abiotic parts of the environment

• Each type of organism occupies its own niche to avoid competition with other types of organisms

• Two species can share the same habitat but not the same niche

• Example: Ants and bacteria both live in the dirt (habitat) but have different niches. Ants eat dead insects and bacteria eat dead leaves, dead logs, and animal waste. So ants and bacteria don’t compete for resources.

• Example: Ants and bacteria both live in the dirt (habitat) but have different niches. Ants eat dead insects and bacteria eat dead leaves, dead logs, and animal waste. So ants and bacteria don’t compete for resources.

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Survival RelationshipsSurvival Relationships

• Predator-prey: predators are consumers that hunt and eat other organisms called prey.

• Predator-prey: predators are consumers that hunt and eat other organisms called prey.

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Survival RelationshipsSurvival Relationships

• Symbiosis: relationship in which one species lives on, in, or near another species and affects its survival.

• 3 Types: – Mutualism – Commensalisms– Parasitism

• Symbiosis: relationship in which one species lives on, in, or near another species and affects its survival.

• 3 Types: – Mutualism – Commensalisms– Parasitism

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MutualismMutualism

• type of symbiosis in which both species benefit.

– Ex. Clownfish living in the sea anemones. It provides protection for the fish, and attracts potential food for the anemones.

• type of symbiosis in which both species benefit.

– Ex. Clownfish living in the sea anemones. It provides protection for the fish, and attracts potential food for the anemones.

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Commensalism Commensalism• type of symbiosis

in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor benefited

– Example: Spanish moss grows on the branches of trees. The moss gets a habitat and the tree gets nothing.

• type of symbiosis in which one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor benefited

– Example: Spanish moss grows on the branches of trees. The moss gets a habitat and the tree gets nothing.

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ParasitismParasitism• one species

benefits and the other species is harmed.

– Parasite: organism that harms but does not usually kill another organism

– Host: organism that is harmed by a parasite• Ex. Ticks feed on dogs,

people, etc. The ticks get food (blood) and the hosts lose blood and can be infected with disease.

• one species benefits and the other species is harmed.

– Parasite: organism that harms but does not usually kill another organism

– Host: organism that is harmed by a parasite• Ex. Ticks feed on dogs,

people, etc. The ticks get food (blood) and the hosts lose blood and can be infected with disease.

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Trophic levels and food chains Trophic levels and food chains

• Trophic level: A feeding level in an ecosystem.

• Food chain: lineup of organisms that shows who eats who.– Shows how matter and energy move through

an ecosystem.

• Directions: On your paper, draw a picture that goes with each trophic level.

• Trophic level: A feeding level in an ecosystem.

• Food chain: lineup of organisms that shows who eats who.– Shows how matter and energy move through

an ecosystem.

• Directions: On your paper, draw a picture that goes with each trophic level.

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Eatenby

1st trophic level: producers (make their own food) 2nd trophic

level: primary consumer(eats plants) 3rd trophic

level: secondary consumer (small carnivore)

4th trophic level: tertiary consumer (large carnivore)

Eatenby

Eatenby

Last trophic level: decomposer (eats dead animals)

Bacteria

Eaten by

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Energy PyramidEnergy Pyramid

• Every time an organism eats, it obtains energy from its food.

• Energy is transferred from the 1st 2nd 3rd trophic level and so on.

• of this energy is lost along the way during an organism’s metabolism and as heat.

• This energy can be measured in kilocalories (kcal).

• Every time an organism eats, it obtains energy from its food.

• Energy is transferred from the 1st 2nd 3rd trophic level and so on.

• of this energy is lost along the way during an organism’s metabolism and as heat.

• This energy can be measured in kilocalories (kcal).

90%

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Energy PyramidEnergy Pyramid

• Picture that shows how much energy is transferred among the different trophic levels in a food chain; energy is lost as you move up the pyramid.

• Picture that shows how much energy is transferred among the different trophic levels in a food chain; energy is lost as you move up the pyramid.

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Trophic Level

Energy Available

1st

Producers10,000 kcal/m2/year

2nd Primary consumers

1000 kcal/m2/year

4th Tertiary consumers

10 kcal/m2/year

3rd Secondary consumers

100 kcal/m2/year

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Some energy is lost as heat and the rest is consumed or excreted as waste.

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Food WebsFood Webs

• A food web is a network of connected food chains.

More realistic than a food chain because most organisms feed on more than one species for food.

• A food web is a network of connected food chains.

More realistic than a food chain because most organisms feed on more than one species for food.

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Practice with Food Chains & Food Webs

Practice with Food Chains & Food Webs

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Identify the food chains inside the food web.

Identify the food chains inside the food web.

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Do it yourself! Do it yourself!

1. AS AN INDIVIDUAL….sketch a foodchain including 4-5 animals on extra paper.

2. AS A GROUP….On the paper provided, make your own food web using 12-15 organisms from everyone’s food chains!

3. Remember to include every trophic level

4. Label all 15 organisms with their name and their trophic level (ex. Grass = producer)

1. AS AN INDIVIDUAL….sketch a foodchain including 4-5 animals on extra paper.

2. AS A GROUP….On the paper provided, make your own food web using 12-15 organisms from everyone’s food chains!

3. Remember to include every trophic level

4. Label all 15 organisms with their name and their trophic level (ex. Grass = producer)

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Cycles in NatureCycles in Nature

• There is only a limited amount of resources (water, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon) on the earth.

• In order to keep these resources available to organisms, they must be recycled after they are used.

• Cycle: a process that recycles a resource so that you end up with what you started with.

• There is only a limited amount of resources (water, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon) on the earth.

• In order to keep these resources available to organisms, they must be recycled after they are used.

• Cycle: a process that recycles a resource so that you end up with what you started with.

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Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle 1. Nitrogen fixation: Bacteria in the ground change nitrogen from the atmosphere (N2) to different nitrogen compounds

2. These bacteria live in plants and transfer the nitrogen compounds to the plants

3. Animals eat the plants and take in the nitrogen compounds

4. Bacteria eat the dead animals and animal waste and take in the nitrogen compounds

5. Denitrification: Bacteria change the nitrogen compounds back to N2 and release it to the atmosphere

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Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

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Water Cycle Water Cycle

1. Precipitation: Rain and snow fall from the atmosphere to the earth

2. Seepage: Water seeps into the ground and plants use it

3. Transpiration: Plants give off water to the atmosphere

2. Runoff: Extra water runs off the land to lower-lying bodies of water

3. Evaporation of water from the bodies of water back into the atmosphere

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Water Cycle Water Cycle

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Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) are found in the atmosphere

2. Animals and plants use the O2 to make energy (respiration)

2. Plants use CO2 to make their own food (photosynthesis)

3. During respiration, animals and plants release CO2 back into the atomosphere

3. During photosynthesis, plants release O2 back into the atomosphere

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Carbon Cycle Carbon Cycle

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PopulationSize

PopulationSize

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PopulationsPopulations

• What is a population?

• What are some factors that can contribute to the size of a population?

• What is a population?

• What are some factors that can contribute to the size of a population?

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Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

Organisms depend on each other for:

So what happens when these factors change?

Organisms depend on each other for:

So what happens when these factors change?

Food

Protection

Reproduction

Shelter

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Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

1. Predation: – What could happen if a predator is

introduced to a population and there are no organisms to eat it?

1. Predation: – What could happen if a predator is

introduced to a population and there are no organisms to eat it?

Unchecked for many years, the snakes caused the extinction of nearly every native bird species on the Pacific island of Guam

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Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

2. Competition - What can happen if resources become

limited?

2. Competition - What can happen if resources become

limited?

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Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

Organism Interactions Limit Population Size

3. Crowding & Stress– As pop. Increase in size and start

straining their resources, they may become stressed. What are some examples of stress symptoms? • Aggression • Decrease in parental care• Decreased fertility• Decreased resistance to disease

3. Crowding & Stress– As pop. Increase in size and start

straining their resources, they may become stressed. What are some examples of stress symptoms? • Aggression • Decrease in parental care• Decreased fertility• Decreased resistance to disease

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How do you determine human population size?

How do you determine human population size?

• Growth rate—amount that a population’s size changes over time–Birth rate—number of births

occurring during a period of time (ADD)

-- Death rate (or mortality rate)—number of deaths in a period of time (SUBTRACTS)

• Growth rate—amount that a population’s size changes over time–Birth rate—number of births

occurring during a period of time (ADD)

-- Death rate (or mortality rate)—number of deaths in a period of time (SUBTRACTS)

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How do you determine human population size?

How do you determine human population size?

Birth rate – death rate = growth rate- Positive number means the pop. is growing

- Negative number means the pop. is shrinking

Birth rate – death rate = growth rate- Positive number means the pop. is growing

- Negative number means the pop. is shrinking

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Human population sizeHuman population size

• Other things that affect a population’s numbers:

• Life expectancy—how long on average an individual is expected to live– US men: 72 yrs, US women: 79 yrs

• Immigration—individuals moving into a population (ADDS)

• Emigration—individuals moving out of a population (SUBTRACTS)

• Other things that affect a population’s numbers:

• Life expectancy—how long on average an individual is expected to live– US men: 72 yrs, US women: 79 yrs

• Immigration—individuals moving into a population (ADDS)

• Emigration—individuals moving out of a population (SUBTRACTS)

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What can affect population size?What can affect population size?

• When you figure out the number of individuals living in a certain area, this is called the population density.

• There are two limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that can affect the pop. density

• Limiting factor—any biotic or abiotic factor that restrains the growth of a population

• When you figure out the number of individuals living in a certain area, this is called the population density.

• There are two limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) that can affect the pop. density

• Limiting factor—any biotic or abiotic factor that restrains the growth of a population

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What are limiting factors?What are limiting factors?

• Density-independent factors—factors that affect the population regardless of the population’s size– Ex: fires, climate

• Density-dependent factors—factors whose effects on the population depend on the population’s size– Ex. food shortages, disease

• Density-independent factors—factors that affect the population regardless of the population’s size– Ex: fires, climate

• Density-dependent factors—factors whose effects on the population depend on the population’s size– Ex. food shortages, disease

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Density- dependent or Density- independent? Take the following

quiz to find out!

Density- dependent or Density- independent? Take the following

quiz to find out!

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• Predation– Density-

dependent

• Volcanic eruption– Density-

independent

• Chemical pesticides– Density-

independent

• Predation– Density-

dependent

• Volcanic eruption– Density-

independent

• Chemical pesticides– Density-

independent

• Parasitism– Density-

dependent

• Forest fire– Density-

independent

• Migration– Density-

dependent

• Parasitism– Density-

dependent

• Forest fire– Density-

independent

• Migration– Density-

dependent

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CommunitiesCommunities

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FYI: How are communities formed?

FYI: How are communities formed?

• Communities are made of several populations living together

• Think back to population size. What are some limiting factors that can affect a community?

• Communities are made of several populations living together

• Think back to population size. What are some limiting factors that can affect a community?

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FYI: Forming CommunitiesFYI: Forming Communities

• What would happen if people stopped cutting the grass in their yards?

1. The grass would get taller & weeds would grow

2. Later, bushes would grow; trees would appear, and different animals would enter the area

3. After 30 years, it would eventually become a forest…BUT WHY?

• What would happen if people stopped cutting the grass in their yards?

1. The grass would get taller & weeds would grow

2. Later, bushes would grow; trees would appear, and different animals would enter the area

3. After 30 years, it would eventually become a forest…BUT WHY?

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Forming CommunitiesForming Communities

Succession—orderly, natural changes and species replacements that take place in the communities of an ecosystem

Succession—orderly, natural changes and species replacements that take place in the communities of an ecosystem

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CommunititesCommunitites

• Primary succession—development of a community in an area that did not previously exist–Ex: new volcanic island, bare rock, sand dune

–Happens slowly

• Primary succession—development of a community in an area that did not previously exist–Ex: new volcanic island, bare rock, sand dune

–Happens slowly

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CommunitiesCommunities

• Pioneer species—usually small, fast growing, and fast reproducing organisms that are first to colonize land after a disturbance

• Example of primary succession: lichens

• Pioneer species—usually small, fast growing, and fast reproducing organisms that are first to colonize land after a disturbance

• Example of primary succession: lichens

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CommunitiesCommunities

• Secondary succession—sequential replacement of species that follows a disruption of an existing community

• Example of secondary succession: fire, tornado

• Secondary succession—sequential replacement of species that follows a disruption of an existing community

• Example of secondary succession: fire, tornado

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CommunitiesCommunities

• Climax community—stable end point of a community after succession

takes place

• Climax community—stable end point of a community after succession

takes place

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BiomesBiomes

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BiomesBiomes

• Biomes—very large ecosystems that are distinguished by characteristic plants and animals.

• Terrestrial—land based• Aquatic—water based

• Biomes—very large ecosystems that are distinguished by characteristic plants and animals.

• Terrestrial—land based• Aquatic—water based

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Tundra Tundra

• extreme northern latitudes • cold, largely treeless• permafrost—permanently

frozen layer of soil

• extreme northern latitudes • cold, largely treeless• permafrost—permanently

frozen layer of soil

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TundraTundra

• long, cold winters and very short summers

• short growing season limits the producers in food webs

• very little precipitation• thin, poor soil that can only

support shallow-root plants

• long, cold winters and very short summers

• short growing season limits the producers in food webs

• very little precipitation• thin, poor soil that can only

support shallow-root plants

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TundraTundra

• plants: grass, moss, small shrubs

• animals: caribou, snowy owl, artic fox, mosquitoes in summer, hares, reindeer. (Most migrate here in summer)

• plants: grass, moss, small shrubs

• animals: caribou, snowy owl, artic fox, mosquitoes in summer, hares, reindeer. (Most migrate here in summer)

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Taiga Taiga • forested biome with

evergreen conifers • South of tundra• Long winters, but overall

warmer and wetter than tundra

• Abundance of trees provides more food/shelter than tundra

• forested biome with evergreen conifers

• South of tundra• Long winters, but overall

warmer and wetter than tundra

• Abundance of trees provides more food/shelter than tundra

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TaigaTaiga

• Plants: pines, firs, some grasses

• Animals: moose, bears, wolves, lynx

• Plants: pines, firs, some grasses

• Animals: moose, bears, wolves, lynx

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Temperate deciduous forests Temperate deciduous forests • characterized by trees that

lose all their leaves in fall (Alabaster, AL)

• Receive constant rainfall (70-150 cm annually)

• Longer summers• Rich topsoil with layer of clay

underneath

• characterized by trees that lose all their leaves in fall (Alabaster, AL)

• Receive constant rainfall (70-150 cm annually)

• Longer summers• Rich topsoil with layer of clay

underneath

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Temperate deciduous forestsTemperate deciduous forests

• Plants: hickory, maples, oaks

• Animals: deer, hawk, squirrel, rabbits, bears

• Plants: hickory, maples, oaks

• Animals: deer, hawk, squirrel, rabbits, bears

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Grasslands Grasslands

• Usually in interiors of continents (Prairies & Savannas)

• Rainfall is not enough to support large trees

• Usually in interiors of continents (Prairies & Savannas)

• Rainfall is not enough to support large trees

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GrasslandsGrasslands

• Plants: dominated by grasses

• Animals: jackrabbits, bison, deer, prairie dogs

• Plants: dominated by grasses

• Animals: jackrabbits, bison, deer, prairie dogs

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Savannahs Savannahs

• tropical or subtropical grasslands with scattered trees or shrubs

• tropical or subtropical grasslands with scattered trees or shrubs

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SavannahsSavannahs

• Africa, South America, Australia

• Alternating wet/dry seasons• Plants—short trees, shrubs,

grasses• Animals– lions, giraffes,

antelopes, kangaroo (in Australia)

• Africa, South America, Australia

• Alternating wet/dry seasons• Plants—short trees, shrubs,

grasses• Animals– lions, giraffes,

antelopes, kangaroo (in Australia)

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Deserts Deserts

• receive less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain each year

• Can be hot or cold!• Most plants and animals

adapted to storing/saving water

• Rainfall is a limiting factor

• receive less than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain each year

• Can be hot or cold!• Most plants and animals

adapted to storing/saving water

• Rainfall is a limiting factor

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DesertsDeserts

• Plants: cacti and other succulents (plants with thick/waxy leaves that can store water)

• Plants: cacti and other succulents (plants with thick/waxy leaves that can store water)

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DesertsDeserts

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DesertsDeserts

• Animals: tortoises, desert fox, kangaroo rat, coyotes, scorpions, camels–Most animals stay hidden during day

• Animals: tortoises, desert fox, kangaroo rat, coyotes, scorpions, camels–Most animals stay hidden during day

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Tropical rain forests Tropical rain forests

• tall trees • Stable, year round growing

seasons• Warm weather year round• Most biologically diverse

biome• Average temp 25 degrees C

• tall trees • Stable, year round growing

seasons• Warm weather year round• Most biologically diverse

biome• Average temp 25 degrees C

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Tropical rain forestsTropical rain forests

• Many niches b/c of “vertical layering” in forest

• Canopy (sunny tree tops), understory (dark/moist where smaller trees, ferns, shrubs grow), ground level

• Many niches b/c of “vertical layering” in forest

• Canopy (sunny tree tops), understory (dark/moist where smaller trees, ferns, shrubs grow), ground level

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Tropical rain forestsTropical rain forests

• Plants—trees of all sizes, herbs, grasses

• Animals—monkeys, birds, jaguars,( and lots more…)

• Plants—trees of all sizes, herbs, grasses

• Animals—monkeys, birds, jaguars,( and lots more…)

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Marine biomes—saltwater areas–Contains different zones based on light availability

• Marine biomes—saltwater areas–Contains different zones based on light availability

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Estuaries—coastal body of water, partially surrounded by land in which freshwater and salt water mix

• Estuaries—coastal body of water, partially surrounded by land in which freshwater and salt water mix

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Freshwater biome—lakes, ponds, rivers, streams–Tadpoles, fish, insects, turtles, beavers, algae, water plants

–Water temperature and light are limiting factors

• Freshwater biome—lakes, ponds, rivers, streams–Tadpoles, fish, insects, turtles, beavers, algae, water plants

–Water temperature and light are limiting factors

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Wetlands—where land and water meet

• Wetlands—where land and water meet

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Swamps—have trees and running water

• Swamps—have trees and running water

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Marshes—no trees, but has running water

• Marshes—no trees, but has running water

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Aquatic Biomes:Aquatic Biomes:

• Bogs—get water supply from rain

• Bogs—get water supply from rain

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Environmental Concerns

Environmental Concerns

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PollutionPollution

• Pollution—of air, water, soil. – Acid rain kills aquatic life and plant life—

disrupts food web– Too much nitrogen/phosphates from runoff

damages lakes by disrupting plant/algae growth and food webs

– Toxins (heavy metals, organic chemicals) cause illnesses, cancers in humans

• Pollution—of air, water, soil. – Acid rain kills aquatic life and plant life—

disrupts food web– Too much nitrogen/phosphates from runoff

damages lakes by disrupting plant/algae growth and food webs

– Toxins (heavy metals, organic chemicals) cause illnesses, cancers in humans

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OzoneOzone

– Ozone—naturally occurring gas (O3) that screens most of UV light from sun• Humans are releasing Chlorofluorocarbons

(CFC) from refrigerator chemicals and aerosol cans.

• Chemicals destroy ozone. Is causing a hole in the ozone layer. Could lead to more cancers

• Ground level ozone contributes to smog and breathing problems.

• Shelby and Jefferson Co. frequently exceed the legal limit (Ozone Alert Days/Air Quality Index)

– Ozone—naturally occurring gas (O3) that screens most of UV light from sun• Humans are releasing Chlorofluorocarbons

(CFC) from refrigerator chemicals and aerosol cans.

• Chemicals destroy ozone. Is causing a hole in the ozone layer. Could lead to more cancers

• Ground level ozone contributes to smog and breathing problems.

• Shelby and Jefferson Co. frequently exceed the legal limit (Ozone Alert Days/Air Quality Index)

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Human ImpactHuman Impact

• Human overpopulation—resources are limited while waste increases

• Loss of biodiversity—deforestation, urban sprawl, endangered species (habitat loss and illegal animal trade), invasive species, overfishing

• Human overpopulation—resources are limited while waste increases

• Loss of biodiversity—deforestation, urban sprawl, endangered species (habitat loss and illegal animal trade), invasive species, overfishing

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Global Warming/Climate ChangeGlobal Warming/Climate Change

– Greenhouse effect—The natural warming of the Earth due to gasses present in the atmosphere (CO2 and methane) .These gasses trap in heat from the sun.

– Concern: humans ARE releasing more pollutants and gasses, such as carbon dioxide, into the air. Average temperature HAS increased. Strange weather patterns noted• How we’re releasing gasses/pollutants:

burning fossil fuels for energy, burning rainforest, chemical industry wastes

– Greenhouse effect—The natural warming of the Earth due to gasses present in the atmosphere (CO2 and methane) .These gasses trap in heat from the sun.

– Concern: humans ARE releasing more pollutants and gasses, such as carbon dioxide, into the air. Average temperature HAS increased. Strange weather patterns noted• How we’re releasing gasses/pollutants:

burning fossil fuels for energy, burning rainforest, chemical industry wastes

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Global Warming/Climate ChangeGlobal Warming/Climate Change– The debate:

• Are these gasses allowing more heat to be trapped, leading to a rise in global temperatures?

• Is the recorded temperature rise and changing weather patterns a normal response to many factors, all of which we may not understand?

– Predictions: • Earth warms up, polar ice caps and glaciers

melt all over world, sea levels rise, massive flooding and global climate changes occurs. Increase in water born diseases.

• Global warming will be a mild problem

– The debate: • Are these gasses allowing more heat to be

trapped, leading to a rise in global temperatures?

• Is the recorded temperature rise and changing weather patterns a normal response to many factors, all of which we may not understand?

– Predictions: • Earth warms up, polar ice caps and glaciers

melt all over world, sea levels rise, massive flooding and global climate changes occurs. Increase in water born diseases.

• Global warming will be a mild problem