Ecology Unit

Definition of Ecology

Ecology- the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments.

Fundamental of Ecology

Biotic factors- all living organisms in an environment.

Abiotic factors- nonliving parts of the environment (i.e. temperature, soil, light, water, soil composition)

Organism- An individual exhibiting all of the characteristics of life.

Species- organisms that interbreed and compete with each other for resources (ex. food, mates, shelter)

Organization

Population-a group of organisms living in the same place at the same time

Organization

Community- several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment.

Organization

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

Organization

Niche - the role a species plays in a community (job)

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

Organization

Biosphere- life supporting portions of Earth. They can be big (ocean) or small (fish tank).

Biome- Geographic areas of Earth with like characteristics.

Ex.Tundra Rain Forest

Organization

Autotrophic- Producers that trap energy.

•Photosynthesis- Traps energy form sunlight

•Chemosynthesis- Traps energy from chemical reactions.– Black smokers… Hydrogen Sulfidesmokers… Hydrogen Sulfide

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Heterotrophic- Consumers that consume other organisms for energy

Respiration- the release of energy from a energy source.

•Herbivores… Eats plants

•Carnivores… Eats meat

•Omnivores… Eats plants and meat

•Decomposers… Breakdown dead and decaying organisms so the can be absorbed•Scavenger… Eats dead organisms

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Photosynthesis / Respiration Equation:6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy C6H12O6 + 6O2

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

Nutrition & Energy Flow

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

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Ecological Food Pyramid- shows the transfer of energy and biomass between trophic levels. Only 10% transferred!!!

100%

10%

1%

.1%

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Trophic level- link in a food chain or web.– represent a feeding step in the transfer of energy and

matter in an ecosystem.

Biomass- the amount of organic matter comprising a group of organisms in a habitat.

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Matter- Anything that takes up space… Everything.

Energy- the ability to do work.

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Cycling maintains homeostasis (balance) in the environment.•4 cycles to investigate:

1. Water cycle

2. Carbon cycle

3. Nitrogen cycle

4. Phosphorus cycle

Nutrition & Energy Flow

Biogeochemical Cycles

Water cycle-•Key processes•Evaporation, condensation, precipitation

•Other processes•Transpiration

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

Carbon cycle-•Key processes•Photosynthesis and respiration

•Other processes•Combustion of fuels

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

Nitrogen cycle- •Key processes•Nitrogen fixation, plants growing, animals growing, decomposing, and denitrification.

•Other processes•Plant and animal waste and the rock cycle.•Nitrogen fixation- convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium (NH4+) which can be used to make organic compounds like amino acids. N2 NH4+

Biogeochemical Cycles

Phosphorus cycle-

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

Phosphorus cycle—

•Key processes–Plant growth, animals eating, decomposing

•Other processes–Plant and animal waste and the rock cycle.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical CyclesGreenhouse Gas

NameWhere they come

from?Abundance in atmosphere

Cycle in which they move

Heat trapping capacity

Water Vapor (H2O)

Naturally occurring form evaporation

3 pph Varies w/ temperature

Water Cycle 90% of Earth's natural greenhouse

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Respiration / Burning Fuels

370 ppm Carbon Cycle 60% enhancement of greenhouse effect

Nitrous Oxide(N2O)

Decomposing Bacteria / Automobile exhaust

314 ppb Nitrogen Cycle 4 -6% enhancement of greenhouse effect

Ozone (O3) Natural occurring in upper atmosphere

34 ppb Oxygen Cycle

Methane (CH4) Decomposing Bacteria / Livestock

1750 ppb Carbon Cycle 20% enhancement of greenhouse effect

Fluorocarbons (CFC)

Refrigerants 533 ppt Carbon Cycle 12% enhancement of greenhouse effect

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

Population

ECOSYSTEM LEVELEucalyptus forest

COMMUNITY LEVELAll organisms ineucalyptus forest

POPULATION LEVELGroup of flying foxes

ORGANISM LEVELFlying fox

ORGAN SYSTEM LEVELNervous system

ORGAN LEVELBrain

BrainSpinal cord

Nerve

TISSUE LEVELNervous

tissue

CELLULAR LEVELNerve cell

MOLECULAR LEVELMolecule of DNA

Figure 1.1

Population Growth

• King’s chess game

• Types of growth• J-Curve- an graph line shape that

shows exponential growth.• Exponential growth- growth that

occurs when some quantity regularly increases by a fixed percentage

Population Growth

Real examples of exponential growth

Invasive species, which often become pest species, also show this pattern. When a new species is introduced accidentally or deliberately into a new environment it has no natural predators or diseases to keep it under control.

Zebra Mussels

Population Growth

Real examples of exponential growth

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), a bird, was introduced into the United States. Between 1890 and 1891, 160 of these birds were released in Central Park New York. By 1942 they had spread as far as California. An estimate population of between 140 and 200 million starlings now exist in North America, making it one of the commonest species of bird on Earth.

European Starling

Population Growth

• King’s chess game

• Types of growth• S-Curve- an graph line shape that

shows growth until a limit is reached.

Population GrowthCarrying Capacity

Exponential growth phase

Lag time

•The history of human population growth

Figure 35.8A

Population Growth

Figure 35.9B

RAPID GROWTH

Kenya

Male Female

Percent of population Percent of population Percent of population

SLOW GROWTH

United States

Male Female

ZERO GROWTH/DECREASE

Italy

Male Female

Ages 45+

Ages 15–44

Under15

Under15

Ages 45+

Ages 15–44

Also reveals social conditions, status of women

•The age structure of a population is the proportion of individuals in different age-groups

Population Growth

•What next?

Figure 35.8C

Population Growth

U.S.

China

India

Russia

Japan

U.S.

China

India

Russia

Japan

Per capita CO2 emissions(metric tons of carbon)

Total CO2 emissions(billion metric tons of carbon)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 0.5 1 1.5

5.48

0.75

2.65

2.51

0.29

1.49

0.91

0.39

0.32

0.28

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

• King’s chess game

• Measuring population• Census- count all the individuals in a population• Sampling• Catch & Release- practice intended as a

technique of conservation then counting organisms.

• Organisms in an area- counting the number of organisms in a small area and multiplying that count for to find a larger area.

Population Growth

Patterns in population- dispersion patterns of individuals in their habitat.

– Clumped – Organisms found in groups– Uniform- Organisms found evenly distributed– Random- Organisms without a pattern

Population Growth

Effects population growth•Limiting factor- any material an organism needs to survive but is in short supply–  Density dependent- affect populations more

as the population size and density increases

Population Growth

Competition- Competitive exclusion principle -No two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time

•Invasive species- Interspecific competition occurs between two species for similar resources

•Reproductive strategies- Intraspecific competition occurs within a species for similar resources

Population Growth

– Carrying capacity- The largest # of individuals an environment can support indefinitely•Food, water, & shelter- availability of

resources carrying capacity depends on .

Population Growth

Natural balance- Births approximately equal deaths

•Disease- Disease spred eaisier in dense populations (eg. Flu, HIV, ect.)

•Dependence- population changes the occur because of other populations change. (Eg. Food web)

Population Growth

Effects population growth•Density Independent- Factors which affect all populations, regardless of size– Ranges of tolerance- a population’s optimal

range of abitoic factors populations •Storms•Drought•Pollution

Population Growth

Relationships

• Predator & Prey- prime movers of energy through food chains.

• Producer & Consumer- prime movers of energy through food chains.

Symbiosis- two species living in a close relationship togetherMutualism- beneficial to both species. The species have a interdependence

Ex. cleaning birds and cleaner shrimp

Relationships

Mutualism- beneficial to both species

Ex. Lichen (fungi & algae)

Relationships

Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped

Ex. orchids on a tree

Epiphytes: A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a bromeliad, that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. Also called aerophyte, air plant.

Relationships

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

Ex. lampreys, leeches, fleas,ticks,tapeworm

Relationships

Type of relationship

Species harmed

Species benefits

Species neutral

Commensalism

Parasitism

Mutualism

= 1 species

Figure 2.10x

Succession- Gradual, sequential changes in populations

Primary succession- changes inpopulations in an area that has notpreviously supported life.

Ex. Bare rock, sand dune, volcanic islands.

Succession

Succession

The varying types of communities that exist throughout the succession process.

Pioneer communities- 1st population to grow in an area- lichen or moss

Seral communities- intermediate populations. Grasses, shrubs, flowering plants.

Climax communities- (stable/permanent) population that remains unless wiped out by a natural disaster.

Succession

Secondary succession- replacement ofpopulations in disrupted habitats.

EX: Forest fire, volcanic activity,farming, logging, mining

Succession

Eutrophication- adding nutrients/ stuff to the water.

Succession

Possible causes?...Industry, Shipping, Fertilizers, Power plant- thermal pollution (heat)actions

Succession

Succession

Oligotrophic (few nutrients)1. Deep, clear, cold2. High oxygen content3. Low biomass, low productivity and low

nutrients4. pH 8.55. Trout, whitefish6. Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, northern

3rd of Lower Peninsula

Succession

Mesotrophic (transition between Oligotrophic and Eutrophic)

1. Moderately clear2. DO- less than oligotrophic, more than

eutrophic.3. Medium amount of biomass, productivity

and nutrients4. pH 8.05. Lake Michigan

Succession

Eutrophic (rich nutrient content)1. Often more shallow2. Low DO at lower depths3. High biomass, productivity and nutrients4. pH 7.55. salmon, perch, bass6. Lake Mac, Green Bay, used to be Lake Erie

Succession

Dystrophic (poor in nutrients)1. Much more shallow, much color to the water

(yellowish, brown)2. pH less than 4 (input of organic acids)3. Little/no oxygen4. Low biomass, productivity, nutrients5. Few gill breathers, frogs, snakes, and turtles6. Small lakes, bogs, swamps

Succession

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4844687588840076520#

Detrimental (inadvertently)- Not intentional Bad actions.

Biocides- chemical compounds that are toxic to living organisms. Side effects to humans include: Carcinogenic (cancer causing) & Nerve and Liver damage.

Pesticides- a substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.

Human Impact

Insecticides- pesticide used against insectsDioxins

Sources- formed by burning chlorine-based chemical compounds, paper mills in bleaching process, PVC plasticsEffect- Carcinogen…causes cancer

Human Impact

DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane)Source- Insecticide used very effectively against mosquitoes, which cause malariaEffect- Builds up in plants and fatty tissue in fish, birds and other animals…Blamed for the near extinction of eagles, falcons and pelicans…egg shell thinning •Banned in the US in 1972…Still used in other countries

Biomagnifications– A chemical becomes concentrated as it

passes through a food chain

Human Impact

Herbicides- pesticide used to kill unwanted plants

Agent OrangeSource- Widely used in Vietnam as a defoliantEffect- Caused cancer, birth defects, sterility

24DSource- common herbicideEffect- Causes lymphoma (cancer) in dogs

Human Impact

Fossil Fuels- natural fuels formed by the decomposition of buried dead organisms

Examples include Coal, Oil, & Gas.

SOURCESNO2 + H2O à HNO3

(process occurs when burning gas)

SO2 + H2O à H2SO4

(process occurs when burning coal)

EFFECTSRespiratory problems, Sterile lakes, Kills forests, Damage to monuments, cars, buildings, Global warming, Acid rain

Human Impact

Hg (mercury)- heavy, liquid, silvery-white metal

SOURCESPaper mills to treat logs, Agriculture to treat seeds, Occurs naturally in mines, Acid rain releases it naturally from sedimentary rock, & Latex paint

EFFECTSMercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages. Our inland fish are unsafe to eat due to high levels of Hg

Human Impact

Pb (Lead)- heavy, soft, malleable poor metal

SOURCESWater pipes, Gasoline, Paints, Batteries, Ceramic pottery, Soldering

EFFECTSHyperactivity , Paralysis, Brain damage, Birth defects, High BP

Human Impact

PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)

SOURCESInsulators for electrical transformers, Sealants for wood and cement, Hydraulic fluids, Paper mills for carbon paper, pigments & dyes, paints, plastics and rubber products

EFFECTSCarcinogen, effects on the immune system, reproductive system, endocrine system and nervous system

Human Impact

CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)

SOURCESAerosol-spray propellants, refrigerants, Solvents, Styrofoam (pre, CFC-free styrofoam), foam-blowing agents

EFFECTSDestruction of the ozone layer which protects us from UV rays from the sun

Human Impact

PBB (Polybrominated Biphenyls)

SOURCESAdded to the plastics to make them difficult to burn. Exposure

to PBBs is most likely to occur by ingesting contaminated foods and drinks.

People living in the lower peninsula of Michigan, where animal feed was accidentally contaminated with PBBs in 1973, may still be exposed by eating contaminated fish, dairy products, and meat.

EFFECTSCarcinogen, More will be observed in the movie Bitter Harvest

Human Impact

The movie Bitter Harvest …PBB contamination resulted in the most devastating disaster in agricultural history

In 1973 in St. Louis, MIThe government did not eliminate PBB from the food chain until 1977Farmers sold cows to an area baby food companyFiremater (flamestar) vs. Nutrimaster (MgO)All livestock had to be killed

30,000 cattle 1,470 sheep 5,900 pigs 1.5 million chickens

Human Impact

NO3 and PO4 (nitrates & phosphates)

SOURCESSoil … background concentrationsFertilizers … agricultural & residentialSewage … wastewater treatment plants remove 90-95% of P & N in solids, and the sludge is then land applied as fertilizer

EFFECTSEutrophication, Algae blooms, Decreasing light and O2 levels in lakes.

Human Impact

Beneficial (deliberately)- Intentionally good actions.

Conservation actions- activities meant to preserve the natural world.

Link to organizations:http://animals.about.com/od/wildlifeconservation/tp/wildlifeconserv.htm

Human Impact

Habitat corridors- a passage connecting conservation areas.

Human Impact

Biodiversity- the sum total of the genetically based variety of all organisms in an area.

Human Impact