AGENDA May 12AGENDA May 12

Big Question: How does energy flow Big Question: How does energy flow through an ecosystem?through an ecosystem?

1. Vertebrates QUIZ – 30 Minutes1. Vertebrates QUIZ – 30 Minutes 2. Intro to Chapter 3 Ecology2. Intro to Chapter 3 Ecology 3. Ecology Project Requirements and Rubric3. Ecology Project Requirements and Rubric 4. Homework and Closing thoughts4. Homework and Closing thoughts

– Ecology Projects– DUE DATE – Tuesday May 19

Chapter 3: The Chapter 3: The BiosphereBiosphere

What is Ecology?What is Ecology? The study of the The study of the

interactions of organisms interactions of organisms with one another and with with one another and with their physical their physical surroundings.surroundings.

What are some of these What are some of these interactions?interactions?

Where an organism livesWhere an organism lives What it eatsWhat it eats Its impact on other living Its impact on other living

thingsthings

Life on EarthLife on Earth The The BiosphereBiosphere is the part of Earth where is the part of Earth where

life exists.life exists.

It includes all of the land, air, and water on It includes all of the land, air, and water on the planet.the planet.

It also includes all of the life within it.It also includes all of the life within it.

What does an ecologist What does an ecologist study?study?

The study of ecology includes…The study of ecology includes…

the environment in which an organism livesthe environment in which an organism lives

the interactions of organisms with one the interactions of organisms with one anotheranother

the interactions of organisms with the non-the interactions of organisms with the non-living environment. living environment.

EcosystemsEcosystems

What is an Ecosystems?What is an Ecosystems? An areas consisting of all physical An areas consisting of all physical

features and living organisms.features and living organisms.

Abiotic factors – physical featuresAbiotic factors – physical featuresWater, sunlight, rocks, soil, rainfallWater, sunlight, rocks, soil, rainfall

Biotic factors – all living thingsBiotic factors – all living thingsPlant life, Animal lifePlant life, Animal life

AGENDA May 13AGENDA May 13

Objective: Describe the flow of Objective: Describe the flow of energy through an ecosystem.energy through an ecosystem.

1. Trophic Levels and Energy1. Trophic Levels and Energy 2. Biogeochemical Cycles2. Biogeochemical Cycles 3. Homework and Closing thoughts3. Homework and Closing thoughts

– Chapter WorksheetsChapter Worksheets

Distribution of LifeDistribution of Life Is all life on Earth evenly distributed throughout Is all life on Earth evenly distributed throughout

the planet?the planet?

The answer is no. The answer is no.

Explain why this is the case.Explain why this is the case.

Section 4: The Flow of EnergySection 4: The Flow of Energy

One of the most important factors in any One of the most important factors in any ecosystem. ecosystem.

What is the ultimate source of energy for What is the ultimate source of energy for all living things?all living things?

The SunThe Sun

How much of the sun’s energy that How much of the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth is actually used by living reaches the Earth is actually used by living things?things?

Approximately 0.1% worldwideApproximately 0.1% worldwide

Energy Flow and UseEnergy Flow and Use

Plants absorb energy from the sun.Plants absorb energy from the sun.– How do plants use this energy?How do plants use this energy?

Animals in turn eat plants to obtain Animals in turn eat plants to obtain this energy.this energy.

Animals store even smaller amounts Animals store even smaller amounts of energy.of energy.

Vocabulary CheckVocabulary Check

Define the following terms…Define the following terms…

ProducerProducer– Provide an exampleProvide an example

ConsumerConsumer– Provide an exampleProvide an example

How do organisms get How do organisms get energy?energy? ProducersProducers make their own food using the make their own food using the

sunsun

ConsumersConsumers obtain their energy either obtain their energy either directly or indirectly from producers.directly or indirectly from producers.

Primary consumersPrimary consumers feed directly on feed directly on producers (herbivores)producers (herbivores)

How do organisms get How do organisms get energy?energy? Secondary consumersSecondary consumers are consumers are consumers

that feed on primary consumers.that feed on primary consumers. Carnivores make up the second level, third Carnivores make up the second level, third

level, and fourth level of consumers.level, and fourth level of consumers.

For example, a tertiary (third level) For example, a tertiary (third level) consumer feeds on a secondary consumer.consumer feeds on a secondary consumer.

Snake Frog Insect Snake Frog Insect PlantPlant

How do organisms get How do organisms get energy?energy?

Energy flows through an ecosystem from the Energy flows through an ecosystem from the sun to producers to consumers.sun to producers to consumers.

When animals and plants die, When animals and plants die, decomposersdecomposers break down this non-living organic matter to break down this non-living organic matter to obtain their energy.obtain their energy.

Bacteria and fungi are examples.Bacteria and fungi are examples.

Energy PyramidsEnergy Pyramids Recall that energy cannot Recall that energy cannot

be created or destroyed.be created or destroyed.

Because some energy is Because some energy is lost as heat, about 10% of lost as heat, about 10% of the energy taken in by a the energy taken in by a trophic level is available trophic level is available for consumption by the for consumption by the next trophic level.next trophic level.

This energy is transferred This energy is transferred at each level and is stored at each level and is stored in the tissues of those in the tissues of those organisms.organisms.

The Flow of EnergyThe Flow of Energy

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles Is energy recycled in an ecosystem?Is energy recycled in an ecosystem? No, energy only moves in one direction No, energy only moves in one direction

through an ecosystem.through an ecosystem.

What does this mean?What does this mean? Energy moves from the sun, to producer, to Energy moves from the sun, to producer, to

consumer. Energy cannot move in the consumer. Energy cannot move in the opposite direction.opposite direction.

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

How do we get the nutrients we need to survive?How do we get the nutrients we need to survive?

Food we eatFood we eat

We get these essential nutrients from the food We get these essential nutrients from the food we eat.we eat.

All organisms require specific essential nutrients All organisms require specific essential nutrients in order to grow.in order to grow.

Name some essential nutrients that plants need.Name some essential nutrients that plants need.

Water, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, potassium, Water, carbon dioxide, phosphorus, potassium, etcetc

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles Nutrients can be reused over Nutrients can be reused over

and over again within an and over again within an ecosystem.ecosystem.

They move through the They move through the biosphere in a series of biosphere in a series of physical and biological physical and biological processes called processes called Biogeochemical Cycles.Biogeochemical Cycles.

The Four Biogeochemical The Four Biogeochemical CyclesCycles

What are the four What are the four cycles essential for cycles essential for an ecosystem?an ecosystem?

Water, Nitrogen, Water, Nitrogen, Carbon, and OxygenCarbon, and Oxygen

The Water CycleThe Water Cycle Movement of water Movement of water

from the from the atmosphere to Earth atmosphere to Earth and back to the and back to the atmosphere.atmosphere.

Evaporation and Evaporation and CondensationCondensation

Groundwater, Water Groundwater, Water TableTable

The Nitrogen CycleThe Nitrogen Cycle Why do organisms need NitrogenWhy do organisms need Nitrogen To build ProteinsTo build Proteins

78% of atmosphere is free nitrogen.78% of atmosphere is free nitrogen.

Also present in wastes produced by many Also present in wastes produced by many organisms and in dead or decaying matter.organisms and in dead or decaying matter.

Nitrogen fixation – Changing of free Nitrogen fixation – Changing of free nitrogen into nitrogen compounds such as nitrogen into nitrogen compounds such as nitrates or nitrites that can be used by nitrates or nitrites that can be used by living things.living things.

Performed by certain types of nitrifying Performed by certain types of nitrifying bacteria that live on the roots of plants bacteria that live on the roots of plants such as legumes (beans, peas, peanuts).such as legumes (beans, peas, peanuts).

The Nitrogen CycleThe Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen fixation Nitrogen fixation Usable by Plants Usable by Plants Stored Stored

as as

Plant Proteins Plant Proteins Animals eat plants Animals eat plants Make Make

Animal Proteins Animal Proteins Nitrogen compounds return Nitrogen compounds return to to

soil when animals/plant die soil when animals/plant die Denitrification Denitrification

returns free nitrogen to atmosphere.returns free nitrogen to atmosphere.

Denitrification – denitrifying bacteria break Denitrification – denitrifying bacteria break down nitrogen compounds back into free down nitrogen compounds back into free nitrogen which returns to atmosphere.nitrogen which returns to atmosphere.

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon through the The movement of carbon through the environment relies upon plants and environment relies upon plants and animals.animals.

Photosynthesis – Producers use carbon Photosynthesis – Producers use carbon dioxide to make glucose.dioxide to make glucose.

Respiration – Consumers use glucose Respiration – Consumers use glucose to add carbon dioxide back into to add carbon dioxide back into atmosphereatmosphere

The Oxygen CycleThe Oxygen Cycle

Water molecules split Water molecules split during Photosynthesis during Photosynthesis release Oxygen into release Oxygen into air.air.

Oxygen is used during Oxygen is used during respiration.respiration.

Water is released Water is released during respiration during respiration which is absorbed by which is absorbed by plants to renew the plants to renew the cycle.cycle.

Limiting FactorsLimiting Factors A organism’s ability to capture A organism’s ability to capture

energy and use it to grow new energy and use it to grow new tissue is controlled by several tissue is controlled by several factors.factors.

Nutrients are limiting Nutrients are limiting factors which affect this factors which affect this ability.ability.

Disturbing the natural balance Disturbing the natural balance of nutrients can sometimes be of nutrients can sometimes be very harmful to an ecosystem.very harmful to an ecosystem.

Fertilizers and pollution can Fertilizers and pollution can cause growths and blooms cause growths and blooms of algae or bacteria.of algae or bacteria.

Dianchi Lake, China

Feeding RelationshipsFeeding Relationships A Food Chain is the simplest relationship of A Food Chain is the simplest relationship of

plants and animals relying on one another plants and animals relying on one another for food.for food.

Food webs are more complicated but take Food webs are more complicated but take into account all of the connections between into account all of the connections between plants and animals in an ecosystem.plants and animals in an ecosystem.

Food WebFood Web