Biosphere. WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Ecology- the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments, focusing on energy transfer Ecology

BiosphereBiosphere

WHAT IS ECOLOGY?WHAT IS ECOLOGY?

Ecology- Ecology- the scientific study of the scientific study of interactions between interactions between organisms and their organisms and their environments, environments, focusing on focusing on energy transferenergy transfer

Ecology is a science of Ecology is a science of relationshipsrelationships

Daily Dose: BiomesDaily Dose: Biomes

DD QuestionsDD Questions

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ENVIRONMENT?ENVIRONMENT?

The environment is made up The environment is made up of two factors:of two factors:

Biotic factorsBiotic factors- all living - all living organisms inhabiting organisms inhabiting the Earththe Earth

Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors- - nonliving parts of the nonliving parts of the environment (i.e. environment (i.e. temperature, soil, light, temperature, soil, light, moisture, air currents)moisture, air currents)

Organism

Population

Community

Biosphere

Ecosystem

Organism - any unicellular or multicellular form exhibiting all of the characteristics of life, an individual.

•The lowest level of organization

POPULATION

a group of organisms of one species living in the same place at the same time that interbreed

Produce fertile offspring

Compete with each other for resources (food, mates, shelter, etc.)

Community - several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment and are interdependent.

Ecosystem - populations in a community and the abiotic factors with which they interact (ex. marine, terrestrial)

Biosphere - life supporting portions of Earth composed of air, land, fresh water, and salt water.

•The highest level of organization

Habitat vs. NicheHabitat vs. Niche

Niche - the role a species plays in a community; its total way of life

Habitat- the place in which an organism lives out its life

Feeding Feeding RelationshipsRelationships

There are 3 main types of There are 3 main types of feeding relationshipsfeeding relationships

1. 1. Producer - ConsumerProducer - Consumer

2. Predator - Prey2. Predator - Prey3. Parasite - Host3. Parasite - Host

Feeding RelationshipsFeeding Relationships

Producer- Producer- all all autotrophs (plants),autotrophs (plants), they trap energy they trap energy from the sun – from the sun – photosynthesis photosynthesis

Bottom of the food Bottom of the food chainchain

PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis


ConsumerConsumer- - all heterotrophs: all heterotrophs: they ingest food containing they ingest food containing the sunthe sun’’s energys energy

HerbivoresHerbivoresCarnivoresCarnivoresOmnivoresOmnivoresDecomposers Decomposers


CONSUMERS CONSUMERS 1.1.Primary consumersPrimary consumers

Eat plantsEat plants HerbivoresHerbivores

Secondary, tertiary … Secondary, tertiary … consumersconsumers

Prey animalsPrey animals CarnivoresCarnivores

FeedingFeeding RelationshipsRelationships

Consumer-Consumer-Carnivores-eat Carnivores-eat meatmeat

PredatorsPredatorsHunt prey Hunt prey animals for food.animals for food.


Consumer- Consumer- Carnivores- eat Carnivores- eat meatmeat

ScavengersScavengersFeed on carrion, Feed on carrion, dead animalsdead animals


Consumer- Consumer- Omnivores Omnivores -eat both plants-eat both plants

and animalsand animals

SymbioticSymbiotic RelationshipsRelationships

Parasitism- Parasitism- one species one species benefits (parasite) and the benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host)other is harmed (host)

Parasite-Host relationshipParasite-Host relationship

TrophicTrophic LevelsLevels

Each link in a food chain is Each link in a food chain is known as a trophic level.known as a trophic level.

Trophic levels represent a Trophic levels represent a feedingfeeding stepstep in the transfer in the transfer of energy and matter in an of energy and matter in an ecosystem.ecosystem.


Food chainFood chain- simple model that - simple model that shows how matter and energy shows how matter and energy move through an ecosystemmove through an ecosystem


Food webFood web- shows all possible - shows all possible feeding relationships in a feeding relationships in a community at each trophic community at each trophic levellevel

Represents a network of Represents a network of interconnected food chainsinterconnected food chains

Food chainFood chain Food webFood web

(just 1 path of energy)(just 1 path of energy) (all possible energy (all possible energy paths)paths)

BiodiversityBiodiversityDaily DoseDaily Dose

Question 1Question 1

1.1. How many reptile species are located in How many reptile species are located in North Carolina?North Carolina?

a.a. 77

b.b. 3232

c.c. 121121

d.d. 5,0005,000

Biodiversity DD Biodiversity DD Questions:Questions:

2.2. In your own words define biodiversity.In your own words define biodiversity.

3.3. Why is biodiversity so important in a biome?Why is biodiversity so important in a biome?

4.4. Create a list of how animals are becoming Create a list of how animals are becoming extinct. extinct.

What is biodiversity?What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity – variety of living things in an Biodiversity – variety of living things in an areaarea

Three levelsThree levels1.1. Genetic diversityGenetic diversity

2.2. Species diversitySpecies diversity

3.3. Ecosystems diversity Ecosystems diversity

When you hear “biodiversity of Earth” it When you hear “biodiversity of Earth” it means species diversitymeans species diversity

Biodiversity of EarthBiodiversity of Earth

Species diversity – Last estimate there are Species diversity – Last estimate there are 8.7 million species many still yet to be 8.7 million species many still yet to be discovereddiscovered

Can affect the stability of ecosystemsCan affect the stability of ecosystems If one species is lost it affects the entire If one species is lost it affects the entire

ecosystem is effectedecosystem is effected

Humans need biodiversity for medical, Humans need biodiversity for medical, industrial, and agricultural proposesindustrial, and agricultural proposesFoxglove

Digitalis for heart failure

Pacific yewOvarian Cancer

Areas of Critical Areas of Critical BiodiversityBiodiversity

Biodiversity Biodiversity ““hotspotshotspots””1.1. High numbers of High numbers of endemicendemic species – means many species – means many

organisms that live there are not found anywhere else in organisms that live there are not found anywhere else in the worldthe world

2.2. Threatened by human activitiesThreatened by human activities

Tropical rainforestsTropical rainforests

Coral reefs and coastal ecosystemsCoral reefs and coastal ecosystems

IslandsIslands

Global Biodiversity Global Biodiversity HotspotsHotspots

Concentration of rare species

Low Moderate High

Top Six Hot Spots

1 Hawaii2 San Francisco Bay area3 Southern Appalachians4 Death Valley5 Southern California6 Florida Panhandle

4

5

2

6

3

1

U.S. Biodiversity Hotspots

IF YOUIF YOU

CC C

RUN !!!!!!!RUN !!!!!!!

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HHIPPCOIPPCO

1.1. Habitat destruction – may be complete destruction Habitat destruction – may be complete destruction or habitat fragmentationor habitat fragmentation

Habitat destruction is the number one threat to Habitat destruction is the number one threat to biodiversitybiodiversity

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HHIIPPCOPPCO

2.2. Introduction of invasive speciesIntroduction of invasive species

Example: Mites, called Example: Mites, called Verroa destructorVerroa destructor, introduced , introduced from Asia have seriously reduced the wild from Asia have seriously reduced the wild honeybee population in the U.S. honeybee population in the U.S.

1918

2000

Spread of fire ants

KudzuKudzu

Fast-growing climbing Fast-growing climbing vine from Asiavine from Asia

Introduced to control Introduced to control erosionerosion

European StarlingEuropean Starling Released into New York Released into New York

City in the late 1800’s by City in the late 1800’s by a man who wanted to a man who wanted to introduce to the U.S. all of introduce to the U.S. all of the birds mentioned in the birds mentioned in Shakespeare Shakespeare

Now widespread across Now widespread across North AmericaNorth America

Outcompetes many Outcompetes many native birds, such as native birds, such as bluebirds, for nest holesbluebirds, for nest holes

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HIHIPPPCOPCO

3. Population growth – root of the problem?3. Population growth – root of the problem?

Food for thought: What native species could live in these conditions?

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HIPHIPPPCOCO

4. Pollution4. Pollution

Example: Use of DDT Example: Use of DDT almost caused the almost caused the extinction of the extinction of the Bald Eagle and Bald Eagle and other predatory other predatory birdsbirds

Biomagnification Biomagnification

Also called biological magnificationAlso called biological magnification

Accumulation of pollutants in higher order Accumulation of pollutants in higher order trophic levelstrophic levels

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HIPPHIPPCCOO

5.5. Climate change Climate change

polar bear – loss of sea icepolar bear – loss of sea ice

bleaching of coral reefsbleaching of coral reefs

Golden toads were discovered in Golden toads were discovered in 1964, in Monteverde, Costa Rica1964, in Monteverde, Costa Rica

The mountainous cloud forest has The mountainous cloud forest has a perfect climate for amphibiansa perfect climate for amphibians

Extreme sexual dimorphismExtreme sexual dimorphism

Unfortunately, they became extinct Unfortunately, they became extinct within 25 years within 25 years

Causes: Causes:

1.1. Changes in habitat – drying of cloud forest due Changes in habitat – drying of cloud forest due to global warming, ENSOto global warming, ENSO

2.2. Narrow window of time for reproduction – breed Narrow window of time for reproduction – breed in temporary ponds which dried up earlyin temporary ponds which dried up early

3.3. Limited rangeLimited range

4.4. DiseaseDisease

Female

Males

How do humans cause How do humans cause extinction?extinction?HIPPCHIPPCOO

6. Overharvesting, hunting, poaching6. Overharvesting, hunting, poaching

Both legal and illegal collecting of organisms has had a Both legal and illegal collecting of organisms has had a negative impactnegative impact

Easter IslandEaster Island

Population GrowthPopulation GrowthFootprint and GrowthFootprint and Growth

Lorax NotesLorax Notes

Who does the Lorax represent?Who does the Lorax represent?

Who does the Once-ler represent?Who does the Once-ler represent?

What happened to the animals that lived What happened to the animals that lived there before the Once-ler made the factory?there before the Once-ler made the factory?

What was the Once-ler’s major mistake?What was the Once-ler’s major mistake?

With your group come up with something that With your group come up with something that the Once-ler could have done to prevent his the Once-ler could have done to prevent his business from going under?business from going under?

FootprintsFootprints

Ecological Footprints – measure the extent to Ecological Footprints – measure the extent to which humans are using the Earth’s which humans are using the Earth’s bioproductive capacitybioproductive capacity How fast we are using up Earth’s resourcesHow fast we are using up Earth’s resources

Bioproductivity – amount of biological Bioproductivity – amount of biological material that is useful to humansmaterial that is useful to humans

Measured in Hectares – 2.4 acresMeasured in Hectares – 2.4 acres 1 hectare = 2 complete football fields1 hectare = 2 complete football fields 11.5 billion hectares of biologically productive 11.5 billion hectares of biologically productive

surfacesurface

Supply and DemandSupply and Demand

Supply and DemandSupply and Demand

Supply = biocapacity/bioproductivitySupply = biocapacity/bioproductivity Supply is declining because of urbanization and Supply is declining because of urbanization and

deforestation deforestation

Demand = Human needsDemand = Human needs Demand is increasing because population of Demand is increasing because population of

the Earth is risingthe Earth is rising

Current estimates indicate that humans are Current estimates indicate that humans are overusing the bioproductivity of Earth by about overusing the bioproductivity of Earth by about 25-50%25-50%

Think about The LoraxThink about The Lorax Eventually the amount of needed by humans Eventually the amount of needed by humans

exceeded how much Earth produced.exceeded how much Earth produced. What did this cause?What did this cause?

What is your footprint?What is your footprint?

Do Ecological Footprint ActivityDo Ecological Footprint Activity

How do we measure up How do we measure up with the rest of the with the rest of the

world?world?

How does Earth on a How does Earth on a whole stand?whole stand?

11.5 billion hectares11.5 billion hectares Amount of bioproductive land is decliningAmount of bioproductive land is declining

There are about 7 billion people on earthThere are about 7 billion people on earth Amount of people is increasingAmount of people is increasing

Currently have 1.6 hectares per personCurrently have 1.6 hectares per person Most ecologists believe this is insufficient to Most ecologists believe this is insufficient to

support a significant quality of life for the support a significant quality of life for the average personaverage person

It is predicted that by 2050 we will have only It is predicted that by 2050 we will have only 1 acre per person1 acre per person

SolutionsSolutions

Controlling emissions is cheaper than paying Controlling emissions is cheaper than paying for the climate changefor the climate change

• A 2010 study by the Pew Trust estimates the cost of lost ecological services by 2100

• Costs included factors such as lost agricultural productivity from drought, damage to infrastructure from flooding and storms, lost biological productivity, health costs from heat stress, and lost water supplies

• The Pew report found that climate change is likely to cost between $5 trillion and $90 trillion by 2100

• The Stern Review (2006) estimates a cost of only about 1% of global GDP to avoid the worst impacts of climate change

SolutionsSolutions Controlling emissions is cheaper than paying for the climate Controlling emissions is cheaper than paying for the climate

changechange

Ways to control emissionsWays to control emissions

• We can reduce dependence on coal, which produces We can reduce dependence on coal, which produces more COmore CO22 per energy unit than any other fuel per energy unit than any other fuel

• We could institute fees for selling fossil fuels–these We could institute fees for selling fossil fuels–these would help fossil fuel prices represent their many hidden would help fossil fuel prices represent their many hidden costscosts

• We can invest in new technologies and energy efficiencyWe can invest in new technologies and energy efficiency

• We can institute emissions trading, by instituting a legal We can institute emissions trading, by instituting a legal cap on emissions, then allowing companies to buy and cap on emissions, then allowing companies to buy and sell shares of that total cap (Californiasell shares of that total cap (California’’s AB-32 does this)s AB-32 does this)

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

Daily DoseDaily Dose

The Stork and the Grim ReaperThe Stork and the Grim Reaper

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Make a prediction on what will happen to the Make a prediction on what will happen to the water level.water level.

QuestionsQuestions

1.1. Make a prediction on what will happen to the Make a prediction on what will happen to the water level.water level.

2.2. In the scenario which is greater the death rate In the scenario which is greater the death rate or the birth rate?or the birth rate?

3.3. What does this tell us about Earth’s population What does this tell us about Earth’s population growth?growth?

4.4. List some things that would make the Reaper’s List some things that would make the Reaper’s cup larger…Real life things.cup larger…Real life things.

5.5. What would need to happen to have the water What would need to happen to have the water level remain constant?level remain constant?

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

Population – number of organisms for a Population – number of organisms for a speciesspecies

Can increase, decrease, or remain constantCan increase, decrease, or remain constant What’s What’s

happening to happening to

the population the population

on the right overon the right over

time?time?

Factors that affect Factors that affect GrowthGrowth

Create a list with your table of factors that Create a list with your table of factors that affect a population’s growth.affect a population’s growth.

Write on sticky notes and place on boardWrite on sticky notes and place on board

Population Growth Population Growth TermsTerms

Limiting Factor – limits the growth of a Limiting Factor – limits the growth of a population population Food availability Food availability

Droughts Droughts PredatorsPredators CompetitionCompetition Catastrophic eventsCatastrophic events Parasite Parasite Disease Disease Habitat availability Habitat availability

Terms continuedTerms continued

Carrying Capacity – maximum population size Carrying Capacity – maximum population size an environment can support for a long period an environment can support for a long period of timeof time Carrying capacities can change as the Carrying capacities can change as the

environment changesenvironment changes

Birth Rate – number of births in a population Birth Rate – number of births in a population per yearper year

Death Rate – number of deaths in a Death Rate – number of deaths in a population per yearpopulation per year

ScenarioScenario

Scenario: You have just been hired for exactly Scenario: You have just been hired for exactly one month. Your boss is discussing your pay one month. Your boss is discussing your pay and asks for your opinion. He wants you to and asks for your opinion. He wants you to choose:choose: Option A: $100 per weekOption A: $100 per week Option B: 1 penny for the first day and doubled Option B: 1 penny for the first day and doubled

everyday for the next 28 dayseveryday for the next 28 days

Which one should you chose. Take 3 minutes Which one should you chose. Take 3 minutes to come to your conclusion.to come to your conclusion.

Scenario cont.Scenario cont.

You should choice option B because it grow You should choice option B because it grow exponentially and you would get more $$exponentially and you would get more $$

Same is true in population growthSame is true in population growth

Population Growth Population Growth PatternsPatterns

Exponential Growth Exponential Growth Birth Rate is HIGHER than the death rateBirth Rate is HIGHER than the death rate Birth rate is increasingBirth rate is increasing Called a J - GraphCalled a J - Graph

Population Growth Population Growth PatternsPatterns

Carrying capacityand limiting factorscause a plateau in growth.

Called S-graph

Human GrowthHuman Growth

Based on the graph what is human growth?Based on the graph what is human growth?



Why is the growth pattern exponential?Why is the growth pattern exponential?


Why is the growth pattern exponential?Why is the growth pattern exponential? Birth rate > Death RateBirth rate > Death Rate


Why is the growth pattern exponential?Why is the growth pattern exponential? Birth rate > Death RateBirth rate > Death Rate

Medical advancesMedical advances Increase technologyIncrease technology

Current PopulationCurrent Population

Around 7 billion peopleAround 7 billion people

Read 13.3 page Read 13.3 page

Essay PromptEssay Prompt

Are humans exceeding Earth’s carrying Are humans exceeding Earth’s carrying capacity? How can you tell? What would capacity? How can you tell? What would happen if we were to exceed the carrying happen if we were to exceed the carrying capacity? capacity?

Minimum 2 paragraphs Minimum 2 paragraphs Include:Include:

1.1. Definition of carrying capacity.Definition of carrying capacity.

2.2. What type of growth pattern humans have.What type of growth pattern humans have.

3.3. Solutions for minimizing human footprints and Solutions for minimizing human footprints and thereby increasing our carrying capacity.thereby increasing our carrying capacity.

4.4. Defend your answerDefend your answer

Documents

Biosphere. WHAT IS ECOLOGY? Ecology- the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments, focusing on energy transfer Ecology