Ch 4 : Introduction to EcologyCh 4 : Introduction to Ecology

Ecology is the study of INTERACTIONS Ecology is the study of INTERACTIONS between organisms and the living between organisms and the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of their environments.components of their environments.

Observations, data collection, Observations, data collection, explanation of trends and patterns.explanation of trends and patterns.

Many/all areas of scienceMany/all areas of science– Taxonomy, biochemistry, cell type, etc.Taxonomy, biochemistry, cell type, etc.

Hunter – Gatherer societies Hunter – Gatherer societies 10,000 – 12,000 y.a.10,000 – 12,000 y.a.

Agricultural societiesAgricultural societiesimpact on Earthimpact on Earth

Today’s exploding Today’s exploding population population

> 6 billion> 6 billion

Ecology Related IssuesEcology Related Issues

Think “ecosystem services” …. What service Think “ecosystem services” …. What service does each area do ? What job does it have ? does each area do ? What job does it have ? Is it able to efficiently do that job? What is Is it able to efficiently do that job? What is the overall impact? the overall impact?

1. Use of water, energy, food, space and other 1. Use of water, energy, food, space and other resources. resources.

2. Disposal of waste is also a big issue2. Disposal of waste is also a big issue3. Mass extinctions – species are currently 3. Mass extinctions – species are currently

disappearing faster than dinosaursdisappearing faster than dinosaurs4. Thinning Ozone layer – related to CFC’s and 4. Thinning Ozone layer – related to CFC’s and

pollution. Increases UV radiationpollution. Increases UV radiation5. Green house gasses are increasing – creating 5. Green house gasses are increasing – creating

global warming.global warming.

Ecosystem ServicesEcosystem Services

Resources that are produced by natural and Resources that are produced by natural and artificial ecosystems…. Food we eat, oxygen artificial ecosystems…. Food we eat, oxygen we breathe, water we drink…….we breathe, water we drink…….– Purification of water and airPurification of water and air– Preservation of soil and renewal of soil fertilityPreservation of soil and renewal of soil fertility– Prevention of drought and floodPrevention of drought and flood– Regulation of climateRegulation of climate– Maintenance of biodiversity (food, cover, Maintenance of biodiversity (food, cover,

pollination)pollination)– Movement and cycling of nutrients (H2O, C, N, etc)Movement and cycling of nutrients (H2O, C, N, etc)– Detoxification and decomposition of wastesDetoxification and decomposition of wastes– Aesthetic beauty !Aesthetic beauty !

Biosphere : layer of Earth that Biosphere : layer of Earth that supports life roughly 13 miles thick ( 7 supports life roughly 13 miles thick ( 7 miles into atmosphere and 7 miles miles into atmosphere and 7 miles down into the oceans !!!)down into the oceans !!!)

Ecosystems: All of the living organisms Ecosystems: All of the living organisms and the nonliving environment in a and the nonliving environment in a particular placeparticular place– Biotic (all the living and once-living things)Biotic (all the living and once-living things)– Abiotic (physical features)Abiotic (physical features)

Biomes : large regions of the globe Biomes : large regions of the globe defined by similar climate and defined by similar climate and vegetationvegetation

Communities: All the living Communities: All the living organisms that interact in a given organisms that interact in a given area area

Population: All the members of a Population: All the members of a given species in a defined areagiven species in a defined area

Species: Organisms that are Species: Organisms that are genetically similar enough to breed genetically similar enough to breed in nature and produce viable in nature and produce viable offspring.offspring. – Measure of biodiversity = variety of living Measure of biodiversity = variety of living

organisms in a given areaorganisms in a given area– D, K, P, C, O, F, G, Species (D, K, P, C, O, F, G, Species (Scientific nameScientific name))

Biotic factors: Biotic factors: – living and once-livingliving and once-livingcomponents in the components in the environmentenvironment- plants, animals, bacteriaplants, animals, bacteriafungi and protistafungi and protista

Abiotic factors : Abiotic factors : – nonliving components nonliving components in the environment; thingsin the environment; thingsLike wind, temperatureLike wind, temperatureprecipitation, sunlightprecipitation, sunlight

SuccessionSuccession Change in an area’s physical features over Change in an area’s physical features over

time – new species are now better suited time – new species are now better suited or less suited. Species themselves also or less suited. Species themselves also change physical features. (needles from change physical features. (needles from pine trees make the soil under the tree pine trees make the soil under the tree more acidic – different plants like acidic more acidic – different plants like acidic soil)soil)

Primary succession – start from scratchPrimary succession – start from scratch Secondary succession – change leads to Secondary succession – change leads to

more change leads to more changemore change leads to more change EquilibriumEquilibrium

Pioneer species Pioneer species changes changes climax community climax community

Energy FlowEnergy Flow Trophic levels….food chains and food websTrophic levels….food chains and food webs

– 10 % rule (Energy pyramid)10 % rule (Energy pyramid) What else is the material and energy used for? What else is the material and energy used for? GO TO SOCRATIVE APP and answer ….. GO TO SOCRATIVE APP and answer ….. 701439701439

– ProducersProducers PlantsPlants Protista like algae Protista like algae

– ConsumersConsumers HerbivoresHerbivores OmnivoresOmnivores CarnivoresCarnivores ScavengersScavengers DecomposersDecomposers Detritivores : eat detritus or ‘waste’ – crayfish chewing on Detritivores : eat detritus or ‘waste’ – crayfish chewing on

dead fish is different than bacteria or fungi chemically dead fish is different than bacteria or fungi chemically digesting dead fish. digesting dead fish.

Practice Web: MeadowPractice Web: Meadow

Construct the following food chains, Construct the following food chains, they will overlap to create a Meadow they will overlap to create a Meadow Food WebFood Web

Identify (color code) all the Identify (color code) all the herbivores, carnivores, omnivores herbivores, carnivores, omnivores and detritivores in the food web and detritivores in the food web when you are finishedwhen you are finished

1. Red fox feed on raccoons, crayfishes, grasshoppers, red clover, meadow voles and gray squirrels2. Red clover is eaten by grasshoppers, muskrats, red foxes and meadow voles3. Meadow voles, gray squirrels and raccoons all eat parts of white oak trees4. Crayfishes feed on algae and detritus and they are eaten by muskrats and red foxes5. Raccoons feed on muskrats, meadow voles, gray squirrels and white oak trees.

Socrative quiz continued (701439) …. Give the complete classification (D, K, P, C, O, F, G, sp and scientific name)of your assigned organism