ECOLOGYECOLOGYVideo: Elements of Biology: Ecosystems: Organisms and Their

Environment (14:58)

Standard B. 3.6.

Illustrate the flow of energy through ecosystems (including food chains, food webs, energy pyramids, number pyramids, and biomass pyramids.

What eats what? How do species obtain the energy they need

to survive? How many different organisms live in an

ecosystem?

BIOTIC FACTORSBIOTIC FACTORS

Living parts of environment Living parts of environment (Plants, animals, bacteria, (Plants, animals, bacteria,

fungi…)fungi…)

AUTOTROPHS OR PRODUCERSAUTOTROPHS OR PRODUCERS: : Organisms that use the energy from the sun or Organisms that use the energy from the sun or in chemical compounds to make their own in chemical compounds to make their own food (PHOTOSYNTHESIS)food (PHOTOSYNTHESIS)

Ex: Plants, algae…Ex: Plants, algae…

HETEROTROPHS OR CONSUMERSHETEROTROPHS OR CONSUMERS: : Organisms that can not make their own food. Organisms that can not make their own food. They obtain energy by eating other organisms.They obtain energy by eating other organisms.

1. 1. HERBIVORESHERBIVORES: They feed only on Plants. : They feed only on Plants. Ex: rabbits, elephants, cows, horses…Ex: rabbits, elephants, cows, horses…

2. 2. CARNIVORES:CARNIVORES: They feed only on They feed only on animals. animals. Ex: Lions, tigers…Ex: Lions, tigers…

3. 3. OMNIVORESOMNIVORES: They feed on plants and : They feed on plants and animals.animals. Ex: Raccoons, Opossum, Humans, Ex: Raccoons, Opossum, Humans, Bears…Bears…

SCAVENGERSSCAVENGERS: : Organisms that eat animals Organisms that eat animals that have already died. They have a beneficial that have already died. They have a beneficial role in ecosystems.role in ecosystems.

Ex: Vultures, Hyenas…Ex: Vultures, Hyenas…

DECOMPOSERS: DECOMPOSERS: Organisms that break down and absorb nutrients from dead organisms.

Ex: Bacteria, Fungi…

ABIOTIC FACTORSABIOTIC FACTORS

Non-Living parts of environment Non-Living parts of environment (water, air, rocks…)(water, air, rocks…)

ECOLOGYECOLOGY: : Science that studies the Science that studies the interaction between the organisms and interaction between the organisms and their environment.their environment.

In an ecosystem there are different levels of In an ecosystem there are different levels of organization…organization…

1. BIOSPHERE1. BIOSPHERE Portion of the Earth that support life.Portion of the Earth that support life.

2. ECOSYSTEMS2. ECOSYSTEMS

BIOTIC FACTORSBIOTIC FACTORS

++

ABIOTIC FACTORSABIOTIC FACTORS

3. COMMUNITY3. COMMUNITY Group of different populationsGroup of different populations

4. 4. POPULATIONPOPULATION Group of organisms of the same species that Group of organisms of the same species that

live in the same place at the same time.live in the same place at the same time.

5. ORGANISMS5. ORGANISMS HABITATHABITAT: Place where organisms live: Place where organisms live NICHENICHE: Role and position of species in its : Role and position of species in its

environment.environment.

FOOD CHAINFOOD CHAIN When you pick an apple from a tree and eat it, When you pick an apple from a tree and eat it,

you are consuming carbon, nitrogen, oxygen you are consuming carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and other elements that the tree used to and other elements that the tree used to produce the fruit. It also contains energy from produce the fruit. It also contains energy from the sunlight trapped by the tree’s leaves while the sunlight trapped by the tree’s leaves while the apple was growing.the apple was growing.

MATTER AND ENERGY FLOW THROUGH MATTER AND ENERGY FLOW THROUGH ORGANISMS IN ECOSYSTEMSORGANISMS IN ECOSYSTEMS

THERE ARE MODELS THAT TRACE THESE THERE ARE MODELS THAT TRACE THESE INTERACTIONSINTERACTIONS

FOOD CHAINS, FOOD WEBS AND FOOD CHAINS, FOOD WEBS AND PYRAMIDSPYRAMIDS

FOOD CHAINSFOOD CHAINS: : Diagrams that represent Diagrams that represent ONE direction in which energy is transferred ONE direction in which energy is transferred from one organism to another.from one organism to another.

They have a maximum of 5 links (the energy They have a maximum of 5 links (the energy decreases in each link).decreases in each link).

FOOD WEBFOOD WEB: : Diagram that represents the Diagram that represents the complex relationships between organisms that complex relationships between organisms that feed on more that one species.feed on more that one species.

More realistic model.More realistic model.

Identify the:Identify the:

1. Producers 1. Producers 

2. Primary Consumers 2. Primary Consumers 

3. Secondary Consumers 3. Secondary Consumers 

4. Herbivores 4. Herbivores 

5. Carnivores 5. Carnivores 

6. Omnivores 6. Omnivores 

7. What elements are 7. What elements are missing from this food missing from this food web?web?

Activity:Activity:•Construct a Food web Construct a Food web using the following using the following animals.  This ecosystem represents a animals.  This ecosystem represents a farmfarm area area.  .  •The corn is the main source of food for many of The corn is the main source of food for many of the herbivores in the area. the herbivores in the area.  •You do not have to draw pictures, you can just use You do not have to draw pictures, you can just use the animal names and draw arrows between them.   the animal names and draw arrows between them.  

SNAKE,  CORN , CATERPILLAR, DEER, CROW, MOUSE, COUGAR, SQUIRREL, MICROORGANISMS (decomposers)Color: GREEN (producers), RED (herbivores), YELLOW (carnivores), BLUE (omnivores) and BROWN (decomposers)

Activity: ANSWER THE Activity: ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. Organize from biggest to smallest the 1. Organize from biggest to smallest the following levels of organization:following levels of organization:

ECOSYSTEM, ORGANISMS, ECOSYSTEM, ORGANISMS, POPULATION, BIOSPHERE, POPULATION, BIOSPHERE,

COMMUNITY.COMMUNITY.

2. List 2 differences between a food chain and a 2. List 2 differences between a food chain and a food web. food web.

List the number and List the number and names of:names of:

1.1. ProducersProducers

2.2. ConsumersConsumers

3.3. First-order consumersFirst-order consumers

4.4. CarnivoresCarnivores

5.5. OmnivoresOmnivores

6.6. DecomposersDecomposers

7.7. ScavengersScavengers

8.8. HerbivoresHerbivores

List the herbivoresList the herbivores List the autotrophsList the autotrophs List the carnivoresList the carnivores What does the frog What does the frog

eat?eat? What does the fox What does the fox

eat?eat? What does the What does the

snake eat?snake eat? What does the deer What does the deer

eat?eat?

What does the picture represent?What does the picture represent?

Draw a FOOD WEB with the following Draw a FOOD WEB with the following organisms. DO NOT draw them , just write organisms. DO NOT draw them , just write each name and connect each animal with its each name and connect each animal with its predator.predator.

LIVING RELATIONSHIPSLIVING RELATIONSHIPS

1. PREDATOR- PREY. Animals that fight for survival.

BENEFITED ++ HARMED

Some species enhance their chances of survival by forming relationships with other species

SYMBIOSIS: Close relationship between 2 or more different species living together.

1.1. COMMENSALISMCOMMENSALISM

++BENEFICIAL NEITHER BENEFITED NOR HARMED

2. MUTUALISM2. MUTUALISM

++BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL

3. PARASITISM3. PARASITISM

Parasites DO NOT kill their prey

++BENEFICIAL HARMED

When the populations are When the populations are UNDER the carrying the carrying capacity, capacity, BIRTHSBIRTHS exceeds exceeds DEATHS until until the carrying capacity is reached again.the carrying capacity is reached again.

FLUCTUATIONS

(ups and downs (ups and downs

of the population)of the population)

In general population in Nature grow in a J-shaped In general population in Nature grow in a J-shaped curve (curve (EXPONENTIAL GROWTH))

Population increases

rapidly because there are a

lot of organisms to reproduce

The initial increases is very slow because there are not too many animals to reproduce

POPULATION DYNAMICSWeeds!!! You have probably observed a scene

like this before. What was recently a clean, grass filled lawn is now filled with thousand of bright dandelions. Why do these plants appear so quickly and in such a large amount?

In contrast, lions produces only 2-4 cubs when they successfully mate. Despite the population differences, both populations have been successful for thousand of years.

How and why do populations grow?

POPULATION GROWTH: Increase in the : Increase in the size of the population overtime.size of the population overtime.

How fast do they grow?How fast do they grow?

Usually populations in Nature DO NOT GROW in a lineal way.

Example of lineal growth: You are working for a company that pays you $5 per hour. How much money will you make?

$$$$$$$$

2525

2020

1515

1010

55

11 22 33 44 55TimeTime

HOURSHOURS $$$$$$$$

1 5

2 10

3

4

5

Can a population of organisms grow Can a population of organisms grow indefinitely?indefinitely?

NO

After a while, populations reach the maximum After a while, populations reach the maximum number that the environment can supportnumber that the environment can support

CARRYING CAPACITY

A lot of food, water…A lot of food, water… Population grows Population grows fastfast EXPONENTIAL GROWTH (J shape EXPONENTIAL GROWTH (J shape curve)curve)

With limited food and waterWith limited food and water Population grows Population grows fast then slows down and stopsfast then slows down and stopsLOGISTICAL GROWTH (S shape curve)LOGISTICAL GROWTH (S shape curve)

PATTERNS OF POPULATION GROWTH

MOSQUITOES

POPULATION

1. Reproduce very fast

2. Environments where mosquitoes live change a lot

3. Small size

4. Mature sexually very fast

5. Reproduce early

6. Short life span

Number Good conditionsNumber Good conditions ofof mosquitoesmosquitoes

Bad conditions

Time

ELEPHANTS

POPULATION

1. Slow rate of reproduction

2. Environments more stable

3. Large size

4. Mature slowly sexually

5. Reproduce slowly

6. Long life span

# of elephants# of elephants Carrying capacityCarrying capacity

Time

DO NOWDO NOWList 4 characteristics of a mosquito population.List 4 characteristics of a mosquito population.

1.1. Mosquitoes’ population grow very fastMosquitoes’ population grow very fast

2.2. Mosquitoes sexually mature early in liveMosquitoes sexually mature early in live

3.3. Changes in environment affect the Changes in environment affect the population a lotpopulation a lot

4.4. Mosquitoes reproduce very fast and very Mosquitoes reproduce very fast and very often.often.

Look the following pictures. What do the Look the following pictures. What do the following organisms have in common?following organisms have in common?

ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITSENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS

LIMITING FACTORS regulate the size of regulate the size of population in a natural way.population in a natural way.

1. DENSITY-DEPENDENT FACTORS. These factors have an effect as the population increases. Ex: diseases, competition for resources, parasites, food, predation…

If the population increases they will be more…If the population increases they will be more…

DISEASES,

VIRUS,

BACTERIA,

PARASITES…

More More COMPETITIONCOMPETITION……

Less Less FOODFOOD……

2. DENSITY-INDEPENDENT FACTORS. These factors have an effect in the population regardless of their increase. They are usually ABIOTIC FACTORS. Ex: Temperature, floods, storms, pollution…

ECOLOGICAL SUCCESSIONECOLOGICAL SUCCESSION

Video: Standard Deviants Teaching Systems: Biology: Module 07: Ecology (30)

Where do the following animals live? What type of Where do the following animals live? What type of environment do they need to have a “environment do they need to have a “perfect life”perfect life”??

RANGES OF TOLERANCERANGES OF TOLERANCE TOLERANCE: Ability of organisms to survive : Ability of organisms to survive

the changes in biotic and abiotic factors.the changes in biotic and abiotic factors. Some species are able to tolerate conditions that Some species are able to tolerate conditions that

other species can not.other species can not. The most of populationThe most of population Perfect rangesPerfect ranges

Low part of populationLow part of population

Only few organismsOnly few organisms

Imagine the following situation:Imagine the following situation:The grass is no longer cut in your yard. What would it look The grass is no longer cut in your yard. What would it look

like in one year? In 5 years? In 10 years?like in one year? In 5 years? In 10 years?

Prediction:Prediction:1.1. The grass grows taller. Weeds grow.The grass grows taller. Weeds grow.2.2. Bushes grow, trees appear ( change the environment: Bushes grow, trees appear ( change the environment:

less light reaches the ground). Small animalsless light reaches the ground). Small animals3.3. Grass slowly dissappearsGrass slowly dissappears4.4. Forest. Big and more different animalsForest. Big and more different animals

SUCCESSION: THE NATURAL CHANGES THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE

COMMUNITIES OF AN ECOSYSTEM

There are 2 types of succession:There are 2 types of succession:

1. PRIMARY SUCCESSION

The colonization of The colonization of newnew sites by communities of sites by communities of organisms. organisms. Ex: Lava flowing from a volcano and forming new soil

The first species in an area are called The first species in an area are called PIONEER SPECIES (grass, ferns, moss…)

After some time

CLIMAX COMMUNITY: Mature and stable community that does not change

2. SECONDARY SUCCESSION

It is the sequences of community changes that takes place after a community is disrupted by natural disasters or human actions. Ex: Hurricane, forest, diseases…

It occurs in areas that contained life before. Different PIONEER SPECIES It will take less time to reach the CLIMAX

COMMUNITY

Activity: REVIEW Activity: REVIEW OF ECOLOGYOF ECOLOGY

1. Draw a food chain with one decomposer, two 1. Draw a food chain with one decomposer, two carnivores, one herbivore and one omnivore.carnivores, one herbivore and one omnivore.

22. Define:. Define: PARASITISMPARASITISM HERBIVOREHERBIVORE FOOD WEBFOOD WEB FERTILITY RATEFERTILITY RATE

3. 3. Explain the differences between:Explain the differences between: BIOTIC- ABIOTIC FACTORSBIOTIC- ABIOTIC FACTORS CARNIVORES- OMNIVORESCARNIVORES- OMNIVORES PREDATOR/PREY- PARASITISMPREDATOR/PREY- PARASITISM

4. Name two DENSITY-INDEPENDENT 4. Name two DENSITY-INDEPENDENT FACTORS FACTORS

5. List 3 characteristics of population with 5. List 3 characteristics of population with slow growthslow growth

HUMAN POPULATION GROWTHHUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

DEMOGRAPHY:DEMOGRAPHY: The study of human The study of human populations (growth rate, age structure, populations (growth rate, age structure, geographic distribution…)geographic distribution…)

GROWTH RATE= BIRTH RATE- DEATH RATEGROWTH RATE= BIRTH RATE- DEATH RATE

DOUBLING TIME is the time that a population needs to double its size.

DEVELOPING COUNTRY: Low standards of living Undeveloped industries Low per capita income A lot of children Short life span

 High income      Upper-middle income      Lower-middle income      Low income

INMIGRATION: Movement of individuals into : Movement of individuals into a populationa population

EMIGRATION: Movement of individuals from : Movement of individuals from a population.a population.

Video: Diversity of Organisms (35)

BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY is the variety of life

in an area (city, county, country, planet…).

Ex: Where is more Biodiversity, in a corn field or in the rainforest?

INTERESTING FACTS:INTERESTING FACTS: There are 2 hundred millions different speciesThere are 2 hundred millions different species What organisms have the largest number of What organisms have the largest number of

species?species?

INSECTSINSECTS

In 1982, Terry Erwin announced that his team In 1982, Terry Erwin announced that his team had studied ALL of the species of insects of had studied ALL of the species of insects of one kind of tree in the rain forest.one kind of tree in the rain forest.

1,200 different species1,200 different species

163 species live only in that kind of tree.163 species live only in that kind of tree.

Where is more Biodiversity?Where is more Biodiversity?

1. Near the equator.1. Near the equator.

More nutrients on the soilMore nutrients on the soil Bigger areaBigger area

WHY IS BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT?

1. BEAUTY (use to relax, to think, to get inspiration, to enjoy…)

2. IF ONE ORGANISM DISSAPEARS, OTHERS WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

3. STABILITY to an ecosystem

4. HUMANS depend on other organisms TO SURVIVE.

THREATS OF BIODIVERSITY

1. HABITAT LOSS HABITAT LOSS

(building houses,(building houses,

golf courses…)golf courses…)

2. 2. HABITAT FRAGMENTATION. It is the . It is the separation of areas. separation of areas.

•Animals that need larger areas to gather for Animals that need larger areas to gather for food, migrate…food, migrate…

3. 3. HABITAT DEGRADATION: Pollution or : Pollution or Acid Precipitation (very acidic RAIN that Acid Precipitation (very acidic RAIN that destroys rocks, plants…)destroys rocks, plants…)

4. 4. WATER POLLUTION: Degradation of : Degradation of aquatic habitats (oceans, rivers, streams…)aquatic habitats (oceans, rivers, streams…)

5. 5. LAND POLLUTION: garbage, cans, bottles, : garbage, cans, bottles, plastic, dirt…pesticides or other chemicals plastic, dirt…pesticides or other chemicals (DDT)…(DDT)…

6. 6. INTRODUCTION OF EXOTICS. Animals . Animals or plants that are not native to a particular area or plants that are not native to a particular area can bring problems to native species.can bring problems to native species.

Ex: The introduction of the goat in USA made 48 species of plants disappear.

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

1... THREATENED SPECIES Species in which Species in which populations are decreasing. populations are decreasing. Ex: Elephant hunted for the ivory tusks.

2. 2. ENDANGERED SPECIESENDANGERED SPECIES. The number of . The number of individuals in the species is so low that individuals in the species is so low that extinction is possible.extinction is possible.

Ex: Rhinoceros hunted for his horns. Manatees, California condor…

3. EXTINCT SPECIES Species that have Species that have already disappeared. already disappeared. Ex: mammoth, dinosaurs, Tasmanian Tiger.

137 species are lost every single day due to 137 species are lost every single day due to rainforest deforestation. rainforest deforestation.

CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

LAWS US ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT- US ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT- Illegal to Illegal to

harm any endangered species or their environment.harm any endangered species or their environment.

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIESTRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES ( (CITES)CITES): : List of animals and plants for which International List of animals and plants for which International Trade is prohibited or controlled. Trade is prohibited or controlled.

PRESERVING HABITAT

Creating NATURAL RESERVES.

(Only 6% of the Earth is protected this way) Sustainable use of resources in the wilderness Habitat corridors (a strip of land that aids in the

movement of species between disconnected areas of their natural habitat).

RE-INTRODUCTION PROGRAMS

Release animals in

areas where they

once live

Habitat Project Simulate a habitat, either a poster using color 3-D

organisms, such as with pictures, charts, diagrams, food chains, food webs, etc.; or a 3-D model using a box, aquarium, terrarium, etc. Make sure predators, organisms’ foods, lifestyles, etc. are represented in your habitat. DO NOT USE ANY LIVE ORGANISMS EXCEPT PLANTS (toy animals, stuffed animals, and plastic animals may be used or made with clay, playdoh, etc.)

Due , Friday October 10, 2014