Ecology

The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

Organisms

All living things. Studied at many levels.

living things are organized from- atom to the biosphere.

Levels of Organiztion

1. The atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, and organ systems are the levels that make up an organism.

2. The interactions of Organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere, are studied by an Ecologist.

Environment

Abiotic Factors: non-living factors. Biotic Factors: living factors and

the effect of them on themselves and other organisms.

Ex: Competition, Predation, Productivity

Abiotic Factors

1. Temperature2. Water (salinity)3. Sunlight4. Wind5. Rocks and Soil6. Disturbance

Climate

Shapes environments and what organisms can live in a particular area.

Climatic Factors

Solar Radiation and LatitudeChanges the amount of light and energy delivered per surface area.

Axis Tilt/Seasons Air/Water Circulation Patterns

(convection currents)

Result

Poles: less light = less available energy

Equator: more light = more available energy

The unequal heating causes air and water to circulate.

Seasons

Caused by the Earth's tilt. Day length changes over time. Many organisms are restricted in

range by how well they adapt to changing seasons.

examples: hibernation, dormancy, estivation, food storage, migration

Global Air Patterns

Air rises when heated, sinks when cools.

Zones of convection are created. Earth's rotation causes zones to

"twist”. Westerlies, Trade winds, and

doldrums, La Nina, El Nino

Result

Air circulation patterns. Rainfall patterns.

rising air: wet areas descending air: dry areas

Biomes

Broad geographical regions with characteristic communities of organisms.

Biomes Controlled by:

Temperature range Water, and amount of rainfall Geography which may

include altitude

Tropical Forests Areas covered with dense

growth of trees and vines. Climate:

Warm temperatures. Constant day length. High water.

Tropical Forests

Tropical Forests

Have the greatest diversity of species of any area on Earth.

Soil is usually very infertile. Most of the nutrients are in the plant life.

One of the most endangered Biomes.

Savanna

Grasslands with a few trees. Climate with three growing

seasons: Cool and dry Hot and dry Warm and wet

Savanna

Rich in herbivores and predator species.

Only major biome not found on North America.

Desert Characterized by plants adapted to

dry growing conditions. Climate:

Dry (<30cm/yr). May be cold or hot.

Often found in areas of descending air masses.

Low productivity, but still fairly diverse in species.

Chaparral

Characterized by spiny evergreen shrubs.

Climate: Mild rainy winters Hot summers

Ex: Southern California

Chaparral

Maintained by fires. Plants adapted to periodic

fires by seeds or re-growing from the roots.

Temperate Grasslands

Grasses and other herbs are the dominant vegetation.

Climate: Intermediate water Relatively cold winters

Grasslands

Very productive for agriculture. (wheat, corn)

Need disturbance (fires) to keep trees out.

Come in several types: Tall grass Short grass

Temperate Forests

Deciduous trees dominate. Climate:

Relatively high rain Cold winters

Very little natural area left. Good diversity of species.

Taiga

Coniferous trees dominate. Climate:

Long cold winters Short wet summers Long summer daylength

Taiga or Boreal Forest

Relatively low species diversity.

Being logged at an alarming rate.

Tundra

Grasses and sedges dominate.

Climate: Very cold and dry Low light in winter

Tundra Permafrost present. Plants low in height. Poor species diversity.

Altitude and Latitude

Mirror each other. Their Biomes are similar because the environments are similar.

Ex: Alpine = Tundra

Aquatic Biomes

Fresh water Biomes

Have <1% salt concentration. Strongly influenced by

temperature and light. Classification – based on

water flow patterns.

Marine Biomes

Cover 3/4 of the Earth's surface.

Average 3% salt. Controlled by light and the

distance to the shore.

Light Zones

Photic - Enough light for Ps. Red light lost rapidly as depth increases.

Aphotic - Lacks enough light for Ps and depends on food made in photic zone for energy. Part of the most extensive biome on the planet.

Estuaries

Where a freshwater river meets the ocean.

Salinity variable. Very productive

Biome.

Marine Biomes

Intertidal

Coral Reefs

Pelagic

Benthos

Pelagic The vast realm of open blue

water found past the continental shelves.

thermal stratification with a constant mixing of warm and cold ocean currents.

The flora in the pelagic zone include surface seaweeds. The fauna include many species of fish and some mammals, such as whales and dolphins. Many feed on the abundant plankton.

Coral Reef Characterized by

coral. Cnidarians who have a symbiotic relationship with algae. (coral bleaching?)

Found in shallow warm waters.

Very productive. High species

diversity.

Benthos

The bottom of the zone consists of sand, slit, and/or dead organisms. Here temperature decreases as depth increases

light cannot penetrate through the deeper water.

very nutrient-rich, include all sorts of bacteria, fungi, sponges, sea anemones, worms, sea stars, and fishes.

Summary

Know what is involved with the study of “Ecology”.

Know the major factors of planet Earth (abiotic) that shape climate.

Know the major biomes and the factors that control them.