Ecology and BiomesThe study of the interactions of organism with their

environment

H. Biology

What is Ecology?

• The study of organisms and their interactions with each other and the environment.

Earth Spheres

• Four major parts of Earth work together as a complex system: land, water, air, and life.

• These parts can be broken into 4 spheres of the Earth:– Geosphere – Land– Hydrosphere – Water– Atmosphere – Air – Biosphere – Life

Geosphere and Hydrosphere

Geosphere –Land• Sometimes called the Lithosphere (which is a

the top most layer of the earth)

• More specifically all land and/or rock formations(29% of the earth is terrestrial) including features such as soil, mountains, valleys, and deserts

Hydrosphere - Water• 71% of the earth is covered by

water. 97% of this water is salty and only 3% non-salty freshwater.

Atmosphere and Biosphere

Atmosphere - Air• From the earth’s surface to

10,000 km above. The upper atmosphere’s ozone protects the earth from harmful UV rays

Biosphere - Life• Includes all living organisms;

microorganisms, plants, and animals.

How is the Biosphere Organized?• In ecology we can organize life (from small to

large) : – Organism – 1 individual living thing: made of cells/DNA– Species-group of the same organisms that can

interbred– Population – group of the same organisms living in the

same place at the same time that can interbreed. – Community –group of the DIFFERENT organisms

(populations) living in the same place at the same time.

– Ecosystem (includes BIOMES) – All abiotic (nonliving) and biotic (living) factors in an area

– Biosphere – all ecosystems taken together on Earth (includes all living organisms globally)

LEAST inclusive (SPECIFIC)

MOST inclusive (BROADEST)

What are Ecosystems?

• Just by identifying their location in the world, we can make many assumptions about the ecosystems that make up the biomes.

• Ecosystems consist of :– Biotic factors – living organisms– Abiotic factors - non-living factors:

• Rocks, minerals, soil• Temperature, precipitation

Can you identify the abiotic and biotic factors in these ecosystems?

Abiotic and Biotic FactorsTropical Rainforest Tundra

• Abiotic Factors: hot and wet year-round; thin, nutrient-poor soils

• Biotic Factors: Ferns, Orchids, Monkeys, Frogs, etc.

Abiotic Factors: strong winds; low precipitation; short and soggy summers; long, cold, and dark winters;. poorly developed soils; permafrost

Biotic Factors: Mosses, Polar Bears

Biomes• A biome can be thought of as many similar ecosystems

throughout the world grouped together• Usually characterized by the climate conditions and plant

communities that thrive there.• Identified by biotic and abiotic factors• Major Biomes:– Terrestrial (Land)• Tundra • Tropical Rain Forest• Temperate Rain Forest• Taiga (Boreal or Coniferous Forest)• Desert• Grasslands (Prairie or Savannah)• Temperate (Deciduous) Forest

- Water• Freshwater• Marine

Biomes

What is Biodiversity?

• Biodiversity is the assortment or variety of living things in an ecosystem.

• What is an example of a biome with HIGH biodiversity?

• Why is biodiversity important?

Biomes are determined by the Climate Conditions

• What is climate?– Long-term patterns of weather

conditions– Includes average temperature

and precipitation levels• How is it different than

weather?– Day-to day versus long-term

• What is a microclimate?– Climate of a small-specific

place within a larger area

What determines Climate?• Influence of Sunlight– Three Main Climate Zones

• Polar• Temperate • Tropical

– Why do these zones exist?

What determines Climate?

• Air and Water Movement– Air and Water are also heated by the sun– Warm air rises and cools leading to

precipitation and water currents• Landmasses

– Waterbodies - Areas closer to bodies of water generally have more evaporation, thus higher humidity and more precipitation

– Mountains – Mountains cause air to rise and cool causing precipitation on one side. Far side of mountains usually has a rain shadow.

What is a Community, Population, and Individual?

• An ecological community is various populations living and interacting in the same place called a habitat (Milo & Me)

• A population is a group of living organisms of the same kind living in the same place (habitat) at the same time (our class)

• The habitat must supply the needs of organisms, such as food, water, temperature, oxygen, and minerals.

Habitat & Niche

• Habitat is the place a plant or animal lives–“the address”

• Niche is an organism’s role in life–“its address and

its job”–All resources

used by that organism

What are Population Niches?• Populations live along with

other populations in a habitat with many resources

• A niche is how a population responds to its resources and enemies. In other words, an environment that has all the things that a particular plant or animal needs in order to live.– Fundamental niche – all the

resources that COULD be used by a population

– Realized niche – the ACTUAL resources used by a population

Why are there different niches for each bird?

What resources are available for the birds?

Warbler Niches

What might prevent them from obtaining or using all those resources?