3-1 What Is Ecology?

How do ecologists study ecology?

1

Levels of Organization

Ecosystem

Community

Population

Individual

Biome

Biosphere

(Species)

(Organism)

2

This should look familiar. What is it part of?Review what is meant by a hierarchy.Define each level in the diagram below.

4-1 The Role of Climate

3

What are the two components of climate?How does climate relate to certain soil characteristics?How does soil relate to the producer community?How does the producer community relate to the consumer community?

The Greenhouse Effect

Sunlight

Earth’s Surface

Atmosphere

Some heat escapes into space

Greenhouse gases trap some heat

Greenhouse gases trap some heat

4

Is the greenhouse effect good or bad? Why?Is global warming (climate change) good or bad? Why?Does the yellow arrow coming from the Sun represent light, heat, or both? Label it.What is light? (A form of _______ _______.)What is heat? (A form of _______ _______.)List some examples of greenhouse gasses.Which is the most concerning greenhouse gas and what is causing it to increase?What are fossil fuels?

The Effect of Latitude on Climate

Sunlight

Most direct sunlight

90°N North Pole

Temperate

Tropical

Temperate

Polar

Arctic Circle

Tropic of Cancer

Equator

Tropic of Capricorn

Antarctic Circle

90°S South Pole

66.5°S

23.5°S

23.5°N

66.5°N

Polar

Sunlight

Sunlight

Sunlight

0°

5

This diagram is a visual explanation for why the tropics are hotter than polar regions. Explain why by briefly describing the most significant aspect(s).

The Effect of the Earth's Tilt on Climate

6

This diagram is a visual explanation for why seasons change. Explain why by describing the most significant aspect(s).

Heat Transport in the AtmosphereWINDS

66.5°N

23.5°NN

0°

23.5°S

66.5°S Prevailingwinds

Southeast Trade WindsWesterlies

Polar Easterlies

Equator

Northeast Trade WindsWesterlies

Polar Easterlies

(key)

7

What transports heat in the atmosphere?What are prevailing winds and what produces them?In the smaller diagram, notice the air currents shown along the right edge of the Earth. These transport heat from the equator to the poles. What are these circular currents called and what produces them?

Heat Transport in the HydrosphereOCEAN CURRENTS

66.5°N

23.5°NN

00°

23.523.5°S

66.5°S

Equator

Warm currentsCold currents

8

The warm, less salty currents flow near the surface, while the cold, saltier currents run deep.

What is the hydrosphere?

What property of water makes it good for transporting heat?

The smaller diagram summarizes global heat transport by ocean currents, known as the Great Ocean Conveyor. What do you think would happen to the climate in Europe if the conveyor were to shut down?Explain how this diagram shows why the antarctic is colder than the arctic.

Community Interactions

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Bay-Breasted Warbler

Fee

din

g h

eig

ht

(m)

0

6

12

18

Cape May Warbler

Competitive Exclusion & Niche Partitioning

9

Define ecological niche. Use the species in this diagram to explain the meaning of niche.

Explain the competitive exclusion principle and use the species in this diagram to explain.

Explain niche partitioning and how it relates to competitive exclusion, using this example.

Symbiotic Interactions (Coevolution)

10

Define ecological symbiosis.Note that each figure on the left corresponds with the cartoon on the right. Identify and label each example of symbiosis on the left.Down the middle, label each level with the form of symbiosis it represents and define it.Which form of symbiosis is most common and why?

Define coevolution and explain what it has to do with symbiosis.

Ecological Succession

11

This diagram represents primary (rock) succession. Write a caption for each panel that describes what it shows, the types of species involved and the cause of change.Define pioneer species.Define climax community.Give an example of when primary succession would take place.How Is secondary succession different?Give an example of when secondary succession would take place.

Pond/Lake Succession

12

The left diagram represents the natural succession from lake to meadow. Briefly describe this process.

The diagram on the right represents an acceleration of the process known as cultural eutrophication. Describe how.

Carcass Succession

13

Explain how the process shown in the diagram of a decomposing whale is a form of succession.

Explain how the organisms involved in human carcass succession can be useful forensic evidence.

Tropical rain forest

Tropical dry forest

Tropical savanna

Tundra

Temperate grassland

Desert

Temperate woodlandand shrublandMountains and ice caps

Boreal forest(Taiga)

Northwesternconiferous forest

Temperate forest

60°N

30°S

0° Equator

60°S

30°N

The Major Biomes

14

Define biome.Notice the pattern of distribution of these major biomes. What relationship explains this?

Biomes and Climate

Ave

rag

e T

emp

erat

ure

(°C

)

Ave

rag

e P

reci

pit

atio

n (

mm

)

15

What is this type of graph, representing climate, known as?What two factors determine climate?How do you think our own climate in NE Ohio compares to that of New Orleans?

Biomes and Climate

16

How is this graph similar to the climatogram on the previous slide?How is it different?According to this graph, which biome is opposite the tropical rain forest?

Microclimate

17

Define microclimate.Explain how the graph at left is an example of microclimate.Explain how a hollow log, like the one pictured below, is an example of microclimate.Think of your own example.

Climate, Soil & Community

Soil Type

18

From left to right, these maps represent climate, soil, and community. Can you find any pattern when comparing these distributions? Explain this!

Terrestrial Biomes

Tropical dry forestTropical rain forest

Abiotic factors: hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient-poor soilsDominant plants: broad-leaved evergreen trees; ferns; large woody vines and climbing plants; orchids and bromeliadsDominant wildlife: herbivores such as sloths, tapirs, and capybaras; predators such as jaguars; anteaters; monkeys; birds such as toucans, parrots, and parakeets; insects such as butterflies, ants, and beetles; piranhas and other freshwater fishes; reptiles such as caymans, boa constrictors, and anacondas

Abiotic factors: generally warm year-round; alternating wet and dry seasons; rich soils subject to erosionDominant plants: tall, deciduous trees that form a dense canopy during the wet season; drought-tolerant orchids and bromeliads; aloes and other succulentsDominant wildlife: tigers; monkeys; herbivores such as elephants, Indian rhinoceroses, hog deer; birds such as great pied hornbills, pied harriers, and spot-billed pelicans; insects such as termites; reptiles such as snakes and monitor lizards

19

For the next 6 slides, underline or highlight descriptions of climate and soil, along with vocabulary unfamiliar to you.

For the next 6 slides, DO NOT underline/highlight all listed species. Instead, highlight only major representatives or find a way to summarize the community.

Tropical savanna Temperate grassland

Abiotic factors: warm temperatures; seasonal rainfall; compact soil; frequent fires set by lightningDominant plants: tall, perennial grasses; sometimes drought-tolerant and fire-resistant trees or shrubsDominant wildlife: predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals; aardvarks; herbivores such as elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and zebras; baboons; birds such as eagles, ostriches, weaver birds, and storks; insects such as termites

Abiotic factors: warm to hot summers; cold winters; moderate, seasonal precipitation; fertile soils; occasional firesDominant plants: lush, perennial grasses and herbs; most are resistant to drought, fire, and coldDominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes and badgers—historically included wolves and grizzly bears; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, rabbits, prairie dogs, and introduced cattle—historically included bison; birds such as hawks, owls, bobwhites, prairie chickens, mountain plovers; reptiles such as snakes; insects such as ants and grasshoppers

Terrestrial Biomes

20

Temperate forest Temperate woodlandand shrubland

Abiotic factors: hot, dry summers; cool, moist winters; thin, nutrient-poor soils; periodic firesDominant plants: woody evergreen shrubs with small, leathery leaves; fragrant, oily herbs that grow during winter and die in summerDominant wildlife: predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions; herbivores such as blacktailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels; birds such as hawks, California quails, warblers and other songbirds; reptiles such as lizards and snakes; butterflies

Abiotic factors: cold to moderate winters; warm summers; year-round precipitation; fertile soilsDominant plants: broadleaf deciduous trees; some conifers; flowering shrubs; herbs; a ground layer of mosses and fernsDominant wildlife: Deer; black bears; bobcats; nut and acorn feeders such as squirrels; omnivores such as raccoons and skunks; numerous songbirds; turkeys

Terrestrial Biomes

21

Boreal forest(Taiga)

Northwesternconiferous forest

Abiotic factors: mild temperatures; abundant precipitation during fall, winter, and spring; relatively cool, dry summer; rocky, acidic soilsDominant plants: Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock, redwoodDominant wildlife: bears; large herbivores such as elk and deer; beavers; predators such as owls, bobcats, and members of the weasel family

Abiotic factors: long, cold winters; short, mild summers; moderate precipitation; high humidity; acidic, nutrient-poor soilsDominant plants: needleleaf coniferous trees such as spruce and fir; some broadleaf deciduous trees; small, berry-bearing shrubsDominant wildlife: predators such as lynxes and timber wolves and members of the weasel family; small herbivorous mammals; moose and other large herbivores; beavers; songbirds and migratory birds

Terrestrial Biomes

22

TundraDesert

Abiotic factors: low precipitation (<25cm/yr); variable temperatures; soils rich in minerals but poor in organic materialDominant plants: cacti and other succulents; creosote bush and other plants with short growth cyclesDominant wildlife: predators such as mountain lions, gray foxes, and bobcats; herbivores such as mule deer, pronghorn antelopes, desert bighorn sheep, and kangaroo rats; bats; birds such as owls, hawks, and roadrunners; insects such as ants, beetles, butterflies, flies, and wasps; reptiles such as tortoises, rattlesnakes, and lizards

Abiotic factors: strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark winters; poorly developed soils; permafrostDominant plants: ground-hugging plants such as mosses, lichens, sedges, and short grassesDominant wildlife: a few resident birds and mammals that can withstand the harsh conditions; migratory waterfowl, shore birds, musk ox, Arctic foxes, and caribou; lemmings and other small rodents

Terrestrial Biomes

23

Mountains and ice caps (Polar)

Mountain ranges can be found on all continents. On mountains the abiotic and biotic conditions vary with elevation. As you move up from base to summit, the climate changes. Therefore, the types of plants and animals also change. If you were to climb the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, for example, you would begin in a grassland. Then, an open woodland of pines. Next, a forest of spruce and other conifers. Near the summit, open areas of wildflowers and stunted vegetation resembling tundra. Finally, ice fields occur at the peaks of some ranges resembling polar regions.

The icy polar regions that border north of the tundra are cold year-round. Plants and algae are few but do include mosses and lichens. In the north polar region, the Arctic Ocean is covered with sea ice, and a thick ice cap covers most of Greenland. Polar bears, seals, insects, and mites are the dominant animals. In the south polar region, the continent of Antarctica is covered by a layer of ice that is nearly 5 kilometers thick in some places. There, the dominant wildlife includes penguins and marine mammals.

Terrestrial Biomes

24

Flowing Freshwater Ecosystems

25

Unlike terrestrial biomes, what defines aquatic ecosystems?

List examples of flowing water ecosystems.What is the usual source of water and direction of flow? What is the selective pressure for adaptation? How do flowing water ecosystems change as they flow from their source?

Define riparian, and explain the importance of this habitat to flowing water ecosystems.

What percent of Earth’s surface water is fresh?

How natural is our own Cuyahoga River?

What is the primary difference between riffles, runs, and pools, and what are the two primary physical factors that produce them?

26

What defines standing water ecosystems? List examples.

Describe water movement through these systems and its importance.Study the zonation shown in the diagrams below. Describe the cause and characteristics (temp., light, mixing, oxygen, pH & productivity) of each zone and the effect of zonation on organisms.

Define phytoplankton and zooplankton, describe their role in the ecosystem and the problem shown in the diagram at right.

Standing Freshwater Ecosystems(Limnology)

Cultural Eutrophication

27

Compare and contrast the two lake conditions shown in this diagram and be able to write a summary description of each.

Define NATURAL eutrophication in relation to aquatic ecosystems.

Define CULTURAL eutrophication, relate it to what is being shown in this diagram and be able too describe the cause, process and effect.

Lake Erie (In our own back yard!)http://www.seagrant.sunysb.edu/Images/Uploads/PDFs/LakeErieFactSheet0413.pdf

210 ft.

82 ft.62 ft.

24 ft. Avg.

28

How did the great lakes system form?Does water flow through the system? How?

60 ft. Avg.

80 ft. Avg.

Define watershed.

Based on the depth profile, which Lake Erie basin is most likely to be effected by pollution and why?

Read the fact sheet at the above URL!

West Basin

Middle Basin

East Basin

Based on what you learned from the previous two slides, what causes a dead zone to form in the middle basin each summer?What is causing the “stress” shown in the diagram at left?

Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems

29

Define wetland, differentiate between the three types and describe their ecological importance.

Note where this is in relation to the previous slide. Note that the entire study boundary used to be wetland. What do you think destroyed all this wetland? What affect do you think this has had on the water quality in the western basin? Describe the general state of restorability found through this study. What do you think determines their restorability?

30

Estuary Ecosystems

Define estuary, differentiate between the two types and describe their ecological importance.

What do you think is causing some estuaries to become eutrophic? What do you think is causing most estuaries to be hypoxic?Who do you think is leading the efforts to recover some estuaries, and how?

Oceanic Zones

Based on this diagram, in addition to light, what other factors do marine biologists use to determine oceanic zones, realms, and habitats?

Note that zonation involving light is the same as in a lake. Describe theimportance of the photic zone to photoautotrophs, and the importance of photoautotrophs

to marine ecology. What are the only producers that can survive in the aphotic zone?

Which zone (realm) is part of all other non-light related zones?

What defines the intertidal zone? Describe the cause and effect of zonation within the intertidal.The intertidal along with the continental shelf represent the coastal ocean. What is the ecological importance of this zone using the kelp forest as an example. Describe coral reefs, how they form, their ecological importance and the current threat to their survival. Describe the open ocean and its ecological importance. What defines the benthic zone and the benthos? Where do benthic organisms get food? 31

Continental slope

Abysal Plain

Coastal Ocean

Producers (Autotrophs)

32

What is at the core of ecological interactions and what this slide is all about?

What percentage of sunlight that strikes the Earth energizes most of the biosphere?

Where else are chemosynthetic producers found?

What organisms other than plants photosynthesize?Where does the carbon dioxide come from?What do the carbohydrates serve as for organisms?Where does the oxygen go?

Define autotrophic producer. What is the source of energy for chemosynthesis?

Consumers (Catabolism)METABOLISM

33

Define catabolism.Define chemoheterotroph and list examples from 4 kingdoms.Describe aerobic cellular respiration and explain how it is a catabolic process.What is the source of glucose for aerobic cellular respiration?Define consumer in the context of this slide.Do autotrophs also use aerobic cellular respiration?

Feeding Relationships

Algae

ZooplanktonSmall Fish

SquidShark

34

Describe how energy moves through ecosystems.

Label each organism in the diagram above with its mode of acquiring energy and trophic level.Define food chain.Define food web in relation to food chain.Define heterotrophic consumer.Differentiate between herbivore, carnivore, scavenger/detritivore, and decomposer and try to identify them in the food web diagram.

Salt Marsh Food Web

& Scavengers/Detritivores

50 grams of human tissue

500 grams of chicken

5000 grams of grass

0.1% Third-level consumers

1% Second-level consumers

10% First-level consumers

100% Producers

Ecological Pyramids

35

Define ecological pyramid.Label each type of pyramid below.

What is each level in the pyramid known as?Explain why each of these is in the shape of a pyramid except the bottom right one.

Pollution Magnification of DDT Concentration

36

What is DDT? Why does it biomagnify?

What is each level in this diagram called?What do the numbers on the arrow at right represent?Explain how biomagnification works and one example of what it can result in.

The Water CycleBiogeochemical Cycles

37

What 4 elements make up 95% of mostorganisms? Can living things take in these elements directly and “fix” them into organic biological compounds?

Is it possible you inhale atoms that may have been inhaled by dinosaurs? Explain!

Water Vapor

Define biogeochemical cycle.Define evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, seepage, ground water, andsurface water.Use these terms toexplain howthe watercycle works.

The Carbon Cycle

CO2 in Atmosphere

Photosynthesis

feeding

feeding

Respiration

Deposition

Carbonate Rocks

Deposition

Decomposition

Fossil fuel

Volcanic activity

Uplift

Erosion

Respiration

Human activity

CO2 in Ocean

Photosynthesis

Biogeochemical Cycles

38

Carbon Atom Example: Carbon Dioxide (atmosphere)... Photosynthesis (plant carbohydrate)... Eaten by herbivore... Passed out (feces)... Eaten by Dung Beetle (tissue)... Eaten by Shrew (tissue)... Eaten by Owl (cellular respiration)... Carbon Dioxide (atmosphere)

Everywhere carbon is found and stays for a time is a “sink”. Label them! The arrows are “pumps” from one sink to another.

Label every geological process “Geo”, every biological process “Bio” and every combination process “BioGeo”. CaCO3 deposited from coral & shells.

The Nitrogen CycleBiogeochemical Cycles

39

I labeled this one for you. What is the one kind of organisms that is all important to the process of the nitrogen cycle? How important is it for plants to have nitrogen in a form they can use?

40

Biogeochemical Cycles The Phosphorus Cycle

I labeled this one for you too. How important is it for plants to have phosphorus?

5-1 How Populations Grow

41

How? (In general ecological terms.)

Specifically, within populations what two primary factors determine the rate of growth and how are they related?What are two additional factors that affect population size?What are Sea Otters an example of?Diagram a simple food chain including Otters, Kelp, and Sea Urchins.Define keystone species and relate it to this food chain.How is this an example of top-down control (in contrast to bottom-up)?

Measuring Population

Human Population Density

42

In mathematical terms, how is population density measured and expressed?In the figure above, what does a high human population density mean?For this example map, we are not given the unit of area, so what do you think a population density of 1000 means?

The map above shows how the distribution of African Elephants has changed over time. The shaded areas show how the ranges of many separate populations have diminished. Define population range.

Exponential Growth

Exponential Growth

43

How would you describe the shape indicative of exponential growth when plotted on a graph?Why do you think the authors chose to compare the exponential growth of Bacteria to Elephants?Define population growth rate.Define exponential growth.In exponential growth, as the population grows, what happens to the growth rate?What is exponential growth also known as?In the graph at left, what was the doubling time?What has been the environmental impact of human population growth?

Logistic Growth

44

How would you describe the shape indicative of logistic growth when plotted on a graph?Define logistic growth.In logistic growth, what eventually happens to the growth rate?Define limiting factor including a few examples.As a limiting factor decreases, what increases between individuals in a population?Define carrying capacity.Does the population size stay exactly at the carrying capacity? Explain!

On the graph above, label the lag, exponential, and logistic phases.Note that this graph shows human population projected to the year 2100. What phase is human population currently in?What do you think is/will limit human population growth?

Density-Dependent Factors

Wolf and Moose Populations on Isle Royale

Moose Wolves

Other Density-Dependent Factors?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Predator-Prey Relationship

45

Based on this graph, how would you describe the relationship between predator and prey in terms of their populations?Is this relationship a biotic, or abiotic factor?Define density-dependent factor.Are these factors biotic, abiotic, or both?What do you think were the density-dependent factors that caused the wolf population to crash in 1980 and the Moose population to crash after 1995?List 5 density-dependent factors at left.

5-3 Human Population Growth

Billions ofPeople

Add arrows and labels for the Haber Process (fertilizer) and modern medicine.Does this graph show exponential growth? (vaccination)What limited human population prior to 3500 BC?What limited human population after 3500 BC?When it becomes logistic, and it has/will, what may be the limiting factor? 46

Climate Change

What effect do you think this will have on the distribution of biomes and species survival on Earth? What does this have to do with species tolerance?

What appears to be the cause and effect relationship in this series of data?

Do you recognize the connection to human population growth? 47

Global Climate Change

From a recent study of lake sediments... On average, the region cooled at a rate of 0.2C per millennium until about 1900. Since then, it has warmed by about 1.2C.

48

Patterns of Population Growth

49

Define the demographic transition.What are examples of countries that have or are undergoing this transition?Stage 1 is before transition, stage 2 during and stage 3 after. What do you think causes the decrease in death rate during stage 2?What do you think causes the decrease in birth rate?How does this relate to global human population growth?

Following Demographic Transition

Males Females

8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8

Percentage of Population

80+

60–64

20–24

0–4

40–44

Ag

e (y

ears

)

U.S. Population

80+

60–64

20–24

0–4

Ag

e (y

ears

)

Males Females

40–44

Percentage of Population

Rwandan Population

Age Structure Diagram

50

Generally, what is the difference between these two countries?Which country has undergone demographic transition and how can you tell from the diagram?Are either of these countries increasing their population exponentially? If so, which one?

Future Population Growth

41

Note the projection to the year 2100. According to this graph, what is the carrying capacity of the Earth for humans?From the table, what is happening and is projected to happen to the global human population growth rate? Why?Our population is now around 7.5 billion. Do you want to live on a planet with 9 billion people? 11 billion???

6-1 A ChangingLandscape

Why? How? (List)

52Where is this?What is it an example of?

6-2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

53

Fish, along with other oceanic resources, are considered a commons. Define commons in this context. Search and explain “The Tragedy of the Commons”. Who regulates a commons? What negative outcome does this allow for?

Air Resources

Emissions to AtmosphereNitrogen oxidesSulfur dioxide

Chemical TransformationNitric acid

Sulfuric acid

Condensation

Dry FalloutParticulates

Gases

PrecipitationAcid rain, fog,

snow, and mist

Industry Transportation Ore smelting

Power generation

54

What general environmental problem does this represent? What specific environmental problem? Just as the oceans, the atmosphere is a ____________.What is the greatest source of nitrogen oxides, specifically? Sulfur dioxide?How strong are nitric and sulfuric acids? In which ecosystems does acid precipitation have its greatest impact? The source of this problem is the same as what other environmental problem? What do you think should be done?

The Value of a Healthy Biosphere

55

The table title is “Ecosystem Services”. Services for who?Is it possible for humans to perform all of these services for ourselves on a local or global scale?How much would it cost?Then what must we do?