Chapter 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

Objectives:

-Understand that ecology integrates all areas of biology

-Understand interactions between organisms and the environment limit distribution of species

-Aquatic biomes are dynamic ecosystems that cover most of the earth

-Understand that climate determines the distribution and structure of terrestrial biomes.

Organismal Ecology

-Physiology and evolutionary ecology

Population Ecology

-Population dynamics (change over time)

Community Ecology

-Interactions between species in an ecosystem.

Ecosystems Ecology

-Energy flow within an ecosystem

Landscape Ecology

-Connectedness of various ecosystems

Global Ecology

-Energy flow within the Biosphere

Why do organisms live where they do? -Biotic Factors

-Behavior

-Habitats

-Relationships with other organisms

Abiotic Factors

-Climate (Macro and Mirco

-Chemical

-Physical Kangaroos live in the wettest of areas and in the driest climates that are susceptible to drought.

A Closer Look at Climate: Why are Ecosystems where they are?

1. Water

2. Latitude and Seasons

4. Air Circulation and Wind Patterns

3. Mountains

Aquatic Biomes

-Two types: Marine and Freshwater

-Largest part of the Biosphere

-Know the various zones

-Aquatic Ecosystems have variations in temperature

(Stratified)

Freshwater Ecosystems-Lakes

-Streams/Rivers (Moving water)

-Estuaries –Freshwater flows into salt water

-Wetlands

Shallow, nutrient rich, oxygen poor

Deep, nutrient poor, oxygen rich

Fresh water has two zones

1. Littoral = Well lit and rooted plants

2. Limnetic Zone = Well lit, phytoplankton

Intertidal zone is where land meets water and periodically submerged.

Oceanic Pelagic Zone is the vast ocean blue

Benthic Zone is the bottom of the ocean – include hydrothermal vents

Coral Reefs – Calcium Carbonate (High Oxygen)

Marine Ecosystems

Terrestrial Ecosystems

-Based on Temperature and Precipitation

-Latitude = Climate

-Altitude, Soil, and Water also determine ecosystems

*Know general characteristics of Biomes.