Ecosystems and Communities

Climate: Average, year-after-year conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular region.

Weather: Day-to-day conditions of weather in a particular place.

The energy from incoming sunlight drives the earths weather and determines climate.

The Role of Climate

How does climate shape an ecosystemIt can determine what types of organisms(plant

& animal) that can live in that ecosystem.The tolerances of those organisms (ability to

survive) in that ecosystem is determined by climate

The Climate is determined by the following factorsThe movement of heat by wind and ocean

currentsLatitudeTrapping of heat by the atmosphere

Role of Climate in an Ecosystem

Temperature on Earth remains within a range suitable for life because the biosphere has a natural insulating blanket (the atmosphere).

Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and a few other atmospheric gases trap heat energy and maintain Earth’s temperature range.

The gases of the atmosphere act like glass windows or a greenhouse.

The natural situation in which heat is trapped by greenhouse gasses is called the Greenhouse Effect.

Without the greenhouse gases the earth would be much cooler .

The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Effect

Because the earth is a sphere(tilted) sunlight hits the different parts of earths surface at different angles.

The different angles deliver heat in varying intensities. This creates three main climate zones on earth.

Polar:Zones of the earth where the suns rays strike the surface at very

low angles.Temperate:

Area between the polar and tropical zones.The temperatures here vary as the year passes and the angle that

the sunlight strikes the earth here changes.Tropical:

The area of the earth surface near the equator.This area receives direct sunlight nearly all year long thus,

providing the warmest temperatures.

Latitude & Climate

World Climate Map

North American Biome Map

Biotic Factors: (Biological Factors): Biological influences on organisms within an ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors: (Physical Factors): Non-living factors like temperature, humidity, etc.Together biotic & abiotic factors determine the

survival, growth and productivity of an organism in an ecosystem.

Niche: Full range of physical and biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in which the organism uses these conditions.

Shaping an Ecosystem

Community interactions, such as competition, predation, and various forms of symbiosis can affect and ecosystem.Competition: Two or more organisms trying to use the

same set of resources in the same place at the same timeCompetitive exclusion principle: States that no two species

can occupy the same exact niche in the same habitat at the same time.

Predation: Interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism. (predator vs. prey)

Symbiosis: Relationship in which two species live closely together.Mutualism-Both species benefitCommensalism- One benefits the other unaffectedParasitism- One organism benefits the other is harmed.

Community Interactions

Ecological SuccessionSeries of predictable

changes (death, migration, etc.) that occur in an ecosystem over time.Primary Succession:

Occurs on the surface where no soil exists.Pioneer Species: 1st species

to populate an area during primary succession.

Secondary Succession: Succession that occurs after a disturbance that destroyed the community but not the soil.

BiomesA group of ecosystems

that have the same climate and dominant communities.

Ten major BiomesTropical Rain ForestTropical Dry ForestTropical SavannaDesertTemperate GrasslandTemperate WoodlandTemperate ForestConiferous ForestBoreal ForestTundra

Biome Animal Diversity

Mountain RangesPolar Ice Caps

Biomes Cont…..Exception to the biomes

Aquatic Ecosystems Freshwater

Flowing WaterStanding WaterFreshwater Wetland

EstuariesMarine

Intertidal ZoneCoastal OceanCoral ReefOpen OceanBenthic Zone

Only 3% of the earths surface is covered by fresh water.

Flowing Water Ecosystem: Rivers, Streams, Creeks, and Brooks are all examples of freshwater flowing over land (ecosystems). Water flows into and out of theses types of ecosystems.

Standing Water Ecosystems: Lakes and Ponds are examples of standing water ecosystems, however water does usually move around within the ecosystem.

Freshwater Wetlands: In this type of ecosystem water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface of the soil for at least part of the year. The water here may flow or be standing (bogs, marshes, swamps).

Freshwater Ecosystems

Estuaries: Wetland formed where a river meets the seaDetritus- Particles of organic material that provide food for

organisms at the base of an estuary’s food web.Salt Marsh-Temperate zone estuary dominated by salt

tolerant grasses above the low-tide line and by sea grasses under water.

Mangrove Swamp- Coastal wetland dominated by mangroves, salt-tolerant woody plants.

Estuaries

Photic Zone: Upper 200 meters of ocean water where photosynthesis can take place.

Aphotic Zone: Area below the photic zone where photosynthesis isn’t possible.

In addition to these two factors ocean ecosystems are also divided by the depth and distance from shore.

Intertidal Zone: Organisms that live here are exposed to regular extreme changes to there environment. Twice a day (tide changes) they are submerged in sea water and the rest of the time they are exposed to air. (snail, sea urchins, sea stars, etc.)

Marine Ecosystems

Coastal Zone: Extends from low tide mark to the end of the continental shelf(photic zone).Plankton, Kelp, Fish, Sea Otters, etc.

Coral Reef: Diverse and productive environment named for the coral animals that make up its primary structure. Warm water ecosystems with diverse

populations of organisms (Fish, Sea turtles, Sharks, etc.)

Marine Eco. Cont…..

Open Ocean: The area of the ocean that begins at the continental self and extend outward.Largest marine zone, covers 90% of the earths surface,

ranges from 500-11000 meters deep.Fish dominate the open ocean i.e. swordfish, as well as

mammals like dolphins and other organisms like octopus can be found there as well.

Benthic Zone: Refers to the ocean floor.Those organisms that attach themselves to the floor like

sea stars, anemones, worms, clams, sea cucumbers, etc.

Marine Eco. Cont…..