2011 ECOLOGY (B&C)2011 ECOLOGY (B&C)KAREN LANCOURKAREN LANCOUR

National Bio Rules Committee National Bio Rules Committee ChairmanChairman

karenlancour@charter.net

Event Rules – 2011

DISCLAIMERThis presentation was prepared using draft rules. There may be some changes in the final copy of the rules. The rules which will be in your Coaches Manual and Student Manuals will be the official rules.

Event Rules – 2011

• BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2011 EVENT RULES FOR EVENT PARAMETERS AND TOPICS FOR EACH COMPETITION LEVEL

TRAINING MATERIALS TRAINING MATERIALS • Training Power Point Training Power Point – content overview– content overview• Training Handout Training Handout – content information – content information • Sample Tournament Sample Tournament – sample problems with key – sample problems with key • Event Supervisor Guide Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, setup needs, – prep tips, setup needs,

and scoring tipsand scoring tips• Internet Resources & Training Materials Internet Resources & Training Materials – on the – on the

Science Olympiad website at Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org under under Event InformationEvent Information

• A Biology-Earth Science CD A Biology-Earth Science CD as well as the as well as the Division B Division B and Division C Test Packetsand Division C Test Packets are available from SO are available from SO store atstore at www.soinc.org

EVENT COMPONENTS EVENT COMPONENTS

• Ecology Content – 2011Ecology Content – 2011– Principles of Ecology (about 50 %)– Taiga and Tundra (new) of North America (about

50%)• Process skillsProcess skills in data, graph and diagram analysis • Event parameters – Event parameters – check the event parameters in check the event parameters in

the rules for resources allowed.the rules for resources allowed.

Section I: General Principles of Ecology

ECOLOGYECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another and with their environment

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components • ABIOTICABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors – non-living component or physical factors

as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperaturesas soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures• BIOTICBIOTIC – living component are other organisms – living component are other organisms.

ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

• INDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL – individual organisms• POPULATIONPOPULATION – organisms of same species in

same area (biotic factors)• COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY – several populations in same

area (biotic factors) • ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors • BIOSPHEREBIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth

ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS

• Homeostasis Homeostasis – delicate balance– delicate balance • Components Components – Physiological Ecology Physiological Ecology – Temperature and Water BalanceTemperature and Water Balance– Light and Biological CyclesLight and Biological Cycles– Physiological Ecology and ConservationPhysiological Ecology and Conservation

ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS

• Properties of populationsProperties of populations• Patterns of distribution and densityPatterns of distribution and density• Intraspecific competitionIntraspecific competition• Population dynamicsPopulation dynamics• Growth and regulationGrowth and regulation• Altering population growthAltering population growth• Human impactHuman impact

Growth Curves

Human Population

Survival Curves

• SurvivorshipSurvivorship is the percentage of remaining is the percentage of remaining survivors of a population over time; usually survivors of a population over time; usually shown graphicallyshown graphically. . Type I survivorship curveType I survivorship curve: : most most individuals live out their individuals live out their life span and die life span and die of old age of old age (e.g., humans). (e.g., humans). Type II survivorship curveType II survivorship curve: : individuals die at a constant individuals die at a constant rate rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and (e.g., birds, rodents, and perennial plants). perennial plants).

Type III survivorship curveType III survivorship curve: : most most individuals die early in individuals die early in life life (e.g., (e.g., fishes, invertebrates, fishes, invertebrates, and plants). and plants).

ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES

• Closed vs. Open communitiesClosed vs. Open communities– Closed – Closed – sharp boundariessharp boundaries– Open – Open – Lack boundariesLack boundaries

• Species abundance and diversitySpecies abundance and diversity• Trophic Structure of CommunitiesTrophic Structure of Communities– Food chainsFood chains– Food webFood web– Trophic pyramidTrophic pyramid

INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES

• InteractionsInteractions• Interspecific competitionInterspecific competition• PredationPredation• ExploitationExploitation• SymbiosisSymbiosis

Types of Species Interactions

• NeutralNeutral – two species do not interact – two species do not interact • MutualismMutualism – both benefit – both benefit • CommensalismCommensalism – one benefits, other neutral – one benefits, other neutral • ParasitismParasitism – one benefits, one harmed – one benefits, one harmed

but not killed but not killed • PredationPredation – one benefits, other killed – one benefits, other killed

Predator - Prey Relationship

Food Chain

• rose plantrose plant aphidsaphids beetlebeetle chameleonchameleon hawk hawk

• Producer• 1st order Consumer or Herbivore• 2nd order Consumer or 1st order Carnivore• 3rd order Consumer or 2nd order Carnivore• 4th order Consumer or 3rd order Carnivore• Decomposers – consume dead and decaying matter

Food Web

ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS

• Energy Flow Energy Flow – Energy Flow PyramidsEnergy Flow Pyramids– Bio-mass PyramidsBio-mass Pyramids

• Community Succession and StabilityCommunity Succession and Stability• Nutrient Recycling Nutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles – nutrient cycles

Energy vs Nutrient

• Nutrients – cyclic(Biogeochemical Cycles)

• Energy flow – one way

Ecologic Pyramids

Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level. Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories.

Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow Pyramids

Biogeochemical Cycles

• Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle • Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

• Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

• Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Biosphere

• Types of Ecological SpheresTypes of Ecological Spheres– BiosphereBiosphere– LithosphereLithosphere– HydrosphereHydrosphere– AtmosphereAtmosphere

• Biogeochemical Cycles Biogeochemical Cycles • Disruption of BiosphereDisruption of Biosphere• Specie Extinction & Biosphere DestructionSpecie Extinction & Biosphere Destruction

Section II: ECOLOGY OF BIOMES

• Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate • Types of BiomesTypes of Biomes – Aquatic biomesAquatic biomes– Terrestrial biomesTerrestrial biomes

• 2011 – Biomes of North America 2011 – Biomes of North America – Tundra (Tundra (newnew) ) – Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)

Terrestrial Biomes – Latitude vs. Altitude

Biomes: Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial Biomes

Adaptations of Plants & Animals

• Not intended to be a taxonomic event Not intended to be a taxonomic event • Emphasis on adaptations of common plants Emphasis on adaptations of common plants

and animals to each biomeand animals to each biome• Common members of food chains and food Common members of food chains and food

webs of each biomewebs of each biome • Limiting factors for each biomeLimiting factors for each biome

TAIGA OF NORTH AMERICA

• 2nd largest forest in the 2nd largest forest in the worldworld

• Ring Artic between Artic Ring Artic between Artic and Deciduous Forest – 50 and Deciduous Forest – 50 to 60 degrees North to 60 degrees North Latitude Latitude

• Upper elevations of Upper elevations of MountainsMountains

Tiaga or Boreal (Evergreen) forests of North America

Taiga – Abiotic Factors

• Angle of incidence for incoming solar radiation is low and Angle of incidence for incoming solar radiation is low and twilight lasts many hours twilight lasts many hours

• Seasons- short, moist and moderately warm summers & Seasons- short, moist and moderately warm summers & long, cold, dry winters. long, cold, dry winters.

• Temperature: -65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit Temperature: -65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit • Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm). Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm). • Soils – thin because they were scraped by glaciers and Soils – thin because they were scraped by glaciers and

very acid because of decomposition of pine needles very acid because of decomposition of pine needles • Absence of earth-churning invertebrates as earthworms Absence of earth-churning invertebrates as earthworms

so soil is hard and compact so soil is hard and compact • Fire a major factor in maintaining biomeFire a major factor in maintaining biome

Environmental Importanceof the Taiga

– Filters millions of liters of water Filters millions of liters of water – Stores large amounts of carbonStores large amounts of carbon– Produces oxygenProduces oxygen– Rebuilds soils and restores nutrients Rebuilds soils and restores nutrients – Bogs and marshes provides habitats for large Bogs and marshes provides habitats for large

numbers of species from fish to birdsnumbers of species from fish to birds

Taiga - Food web

Taiga: Types of Plants

• Conifers are major producer Conifers are major producer • Most common types – spruce, balsam fir and pine Most common types – spruce, balsam fir and pine • Others – hemlock, cedar, redwood, junipersOthers – hemlock, cedar, redwood, junipers• Latitude and altitude influences speciesLatitude and altitude influences species• Berry-producing shrubs important to birds, mammals Berry-producing shrubs important to birds, mammals

and people and people • Some types of fungi, lichens, and mossesSome types of fungi, lichens, and mosses

Taiga: Plant Adaptations

• Trees have upside down cone shape so snow slides off the Trees have upside down cone shape so snow slides off the branches branches

• Branches are flexible to hold great amounts of snow and not Branches are flexible to hold great amounts of snow and not breakbreak

• Trees grow thin and close together to protect them from cold Trees grow thin and close together to protect them from cold and wind and wind

• Needles waxy for protection from freezing temperatures and Needles waxy for protection from freezing temperatures and prevent them from drying out prevent them from drying out

• Needles are present year round and deep green to absorb the Needles are present year round and deep green to absorb the maximum warmth from the sun maximum warmth from the sun

• Thick bark which does not easily burn and protects inner layers Thick bark which does not easily burn and protects inner layers from heat and cones protect the seedsfrom heat and cones protect the seeds

Taiga: Types of Animals • Insects – millions of insects in the summerInsects – millions of insects in the summer• birds – up to 3 billion insect-eating birds breed each year in Taiga birds – up to 3 billion insect-eating birds breed each year in Taiga

– over 200 species– over 200 species• Seed eaters like finches and sparrows as well as omnivorous birds Seed eaters like finches and sparrows as well as omnivorous birds

as crows stay all yearas crows stay all year• Crossbill has specialized bill for prying open cones and nuthatch Crossbill has specialized bill for prying open cones and nuthatch

can break the cones open can break the cones open • Herbivores as small mammals, snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels, Herbivores as small mammals, snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels,

voles and lemmingvoles and lemming• Predators feeding on small mammals as owls, wolves, lynx, Predators feeding on small mammals as owls, wolves, lynx,

bobcats, minks, wolverines, weasels, mink, otters, martens, bobcats, minks, wolverines, weasels, mink, otters, martens, fishers fishers

• Deer, elk and mooseDeer, elk and moose• Largest predators as grizzlies, lynx, and mountain lions will also Largest predators as grizzlies, lynx, and mountain lions will also

feed on weakened or young deer, elk or moose feed on weakened or young deer, elk or moose

Taiga: Animal Adaptations for long cold winters and hot summers

– migrate south in winter (birds) migrate south in winter (birds) – go into hibernation during winter go into hibernation during winter – store extra fat layers on their bodies for winter store extra fat layers on their bodies for winter – change diets from season to seasonchange diets from season to season– grow extra fur on the bottom of their feet to tread grow extra fur on the bottom of their feet to tread

on snow easier (lynx and snowshoe rabbit)on snow easier (lynx and snowshoe rabbit)– change fur color and coat thickness from season to change fur color and coat thickness from season to

seasonseason– live under snow in winter in snow tunnels live under snow in winter in snow tunnels

(lemmings, mice, shrews, voles)(lemmings, mice, shrews, voles)

Taiga: Environmental Concerns • Pollution Clear cuttingPollution Clear cutting• Illegal logging Illegal logging • PoachingPoaching• Forest fires – unnatural firesForest fires – unnatural fires• MiningMining• Drilling for oil and natural gas disrupt the Drilling for oil and natural gas disrupt the

forestforest• Global warmingGlobal warming

Taiga: Role in Earth’s Climate • It stores large quantities of carbon stored as plant It stores large quantities of carbon stored as plant

material on forest floor (up to 10 feet in some areas)material on forest floor (up to 10 feet in some areas)• 1 cm of plant material can hold 2.5 tons of carbon per 1 cm of plant material can hold 2.5 tons of carbon per

acreacre• Taiga acts like a large refrigerator preventing fallen trees, Taiga acts like a large refrigerator preventing fallen trees,

needles and other debris from decomposing needles and other debris from decomposing • Heating up the taiga is causing the following problems:Heating up the taiga is causing the following problems:

Litter decomposes putting carbon into the atmosphereLitter decomposes putting carbon into the atmosphere Increases in forest fires Increases in forest fires

Infestation by bark beetles which is killing the trees Infestation by bark beetles which is killing the trees Dead trees - tinder to fuel the forest fires and adding Dead trees - tinder to fuel the forest fires and adding more more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

TUNDRA OF NORTH AMERICA• About one fifth of the

land surface of the earth is tundra.

• Located next to icy zones in the arctic encircling North Pole down to Taiga. (Arctic Tundra)

• Located at the top of mountains above the tree line ( Alpine Tundra)

TUNDRA OF NORTH AMERICA

Simple vegetation structure Limitation of drainage Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material Large population oscillations

TUNDRA – Abiotic Factors • Angle of incidence for incoming solar radiation is low and

twilight lasts many hours • Temperature - extremely cold - from -30oC to -40oC in winter;

average winter temperature of - 34 degrees C ( -30 degrees F). Highest summer temperature is only about 10o C

• Annual precipitation (mostly as snow) is 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) which is desert-like

• Winds - often reach speeds of 30 to 60 miles (48 to 97 km/hr)• Sunlight - During the winter there are only a few hours or less of

sunlight in the summer, there is sunlight almost 24 hours a day. • Ground surface - spongy, uneven as a result of freezing and

thawing• Permafrost - Plains of tundra are covered with snow, ice and

frozen soil most of the year • Growing Season - Short season of growth and reproduction -

from 50 to 60 days

Tundra Food Web

Tundra Energy Pyramid

TUNDRA of North America

Plants of the Tundra

Plants of the Tundra

• About 1,700 kinds of plants• Tiny flowering plants (4 inches or

less in height)• grasses• lichens – crustose and foliose • sedges• willows

TUNDRA – Plant Adaptations• Many of the plants are perennials so they can

store food from season to season • Must adapt to strong winds and disturbances in

soil • Plants are short and group together• Form little cushions or mats close to the ground

where ground is warmer than the air • Carry out photosynthesis at low temperatures

and low light intensities • Adapt to short growing seasons by reproducing

by asexually rather than sexually

Animals of the Tundra

Animals of the TUNDRA• Primary consumers (Herbivores) – lemmings,

insects, musk oxen, reindeer• Secondary consumers ( Carnivores) – snow

owls, arctic foxes, polar bears • Migratory birds: ravens, snow buntings, falcons,

loons, sandpipers, terns, snow birds, and various species of gulls

• Insects: mosquitoes, flies, moths, grasshoppers, blackflies and arctic bumble bees

• Fish: cod, flatfish, salmon, and trout• Reptiles and amphibians are few or absent

TUNDRA: Animal Adaptations• Must adapt to extremely cold winters • Breed and raise their young very quickly during

the short summers• Many as birds migrate south in the winter • Many of those that stay - hibernate during the

winter • Constant immigration and emigration –

Population constantly oscillates

Environmental Importanceof the TUNDRA

Filters millions of liters of water Stores large amounts of carbon The permafrost layers doesn’t normally

thaw out, so the organic matter stored in them is effectively trapped forever

Global warming lowers the thaw depth, and the peat and organic matter begins decaying inputting of CO2 to the atmosphere

TUNDRA: Environmental Concerns • Large scale extraction industries ( oil, gas, and minerals as

uranium) • Pollution – chemical waste, mining, hydroelectric

development• Expansion of agriculture/livestock, vehicular traffic, and

tourism increase degradation• Global warming – 1/3 of soil bound carbon is found in this

area. • Melting of permafrost releases large amounts of carbon into

the atmosphere increasing• “Greenhouse Affect” as organic matter decays and released

carbon dioxide. • Erosion is emerging due to permafrost thaw and overgrazing • Poaching – hunting and fishing out of season, on protected

land, or to endangered species

TUNDRA: Role in Earth’s Climate • global warming is happening at twice the rate of

more temperate regions of the earth• affect the release or retention of greenhouse

gases such as carbon dioxide and methane• methane is 20 times more efficient at trapping

warmth than carbon dioxide• soil nutrients, plant type, and plant biomass will

be affected by changes in soil moisture and can modify the amount and types of greenhouse gases

• the climate balance could tip not just in the Arctic, but throughout the world