What is an What is an ecosystem? ecosystem? All the All the living (biotic) living (biotic) and and nonliving nonliving (abiotic) (abiotic) parts of an environment as well as parts of an environment as well as the interactions among them the interactions among them Ecosystems may be Ecosystems may be aquatic (water) aquatic (water) or or terrestrial (land). terrestrial (land). Interactions may include: Interactions may include: - - producers producers (obtain energy by making (obtain energy by making their own their own food; plants -photosynthesis) food; plants -photosynthesis) - - consumers consumers (obtain energy by consuming (obtain energy by consuming their their food) food) - - decomposers decomposers ( get energy by breaking ( get energy by breaking down dead down dead organisms and the wastes of organisms and the wastes of living things); bacteria, living things); bacteria, fungi (mold, fungi (mold, mushrooms,etc) ,worms, termites,etc. mushrooms,etc) ,worms, termites,etc.
Transcript
What is an What is an ecosystem?ecosystem?
All the All the living (biotic)living (biotic) and and nonliving (abiotic)nonliving (abiotic) parts of an parts of an environment as well as the interactions among themenvironment as well as the interactions among them
Ecosystems may be Ecosystems may be aquatic (water)aquatic (water) or or terrestrial (land).terrestrial (land). Interactions may include: Interactions may include:
- - producersproducers (obtain energy by making their own (obtain energy by making their own food; plants -photosynthesis)food; plants -photosynthesis)- - consumersconsumers (obtain energy by consuming their (obtain energy by consuming their food)food)- - decomposersdecomposers ( get energy by breaking down dead ( get energy by breaking down dead organisms and the wastes of living things); bacteria, organisms and the wastes of living things); bacteria, fungi (mold, mushrooms,etc) ,worms, termites,etc.fungi (mold, mushrooms,etc) ,worms, termites,etc.
(With producers and consumers, 90 % of the energy available at each level is consumed/lost to the environment. Only 10% move up to the next trophic level.
(The greatest amount of energy is available at the producer level.)
If removed from the food web, which organism (s) would have the greatest impact on the overall food web? Explain.
Produce food through photosynthesis
The sun provides energyTo sustain producers which are the foundationof all ecosystems.
In the diagram, 1.What are the decomposers? Producers? Consumers?2.What organisms are competing for the same abiotic resources?3.What is the source of energy that drives or sustains the ecosystem?
Worms, termites, fungi (mold, mushrooms, etc.)
1. What are the producers? primary consumers? secondary consumers? tertiary consumer?2. What organisms are competing for the same abiotic and biotic resources?3. If removed from the food web, which organism would have the greatest impact on the overall food web?
Explain.
Can you think of a situation where an organism could be both a primary and secondary consumer? (not shown on this food web)
1. What do algae and phytoplankton contribute?2. What is the role of the fungi?3. What is the role of bacteria?4. What does the rotting log contribute?
1. At what trophic level is there the greatest amount of energy available? 2. What percent of energy is used/lost at each trophic level of an energy pyramid?3. What percent of energy is passed up to the higher trophic level?4. If removed from the pyramid, which organism (s) would have the greatest impact on on all organisms? Explain.
Biomass Energy Pyramid: Trophic Levels
1st trophic level
2nd trophic level
3rd t trophic level
4th trophic level
Page 3 of study guide
(kcal)
Use the diagram to respond to each of the following.
1.Identify the decomposer. What are the benefits of decomposers?
2. What other decomposers may be in every ecosystem but are not shown on this diagram?
3. Identify the primary consumers. Show what is being consumed.
4. Identify the tertiary consumer for each food chain. What does this consumer eat?
5. Is this a terrestrial or aquatic food web? Explain.
6. What happens when two or more organisms coexist in the same niche?
7.Draw an overlapping terrestrial/aquatic food chain using at least one of the organisms shown on the diagram. Add an organism not on this food web.
Food Web Analysis
Some worms are primary consumers and others (in soil) are decomposers.)
In what way may farming affect this marine ecosystem?In what way may farming affect this marine ecosystem?
The Role of Nitrogen in an Ecosystem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-lcEXI7al4 “The Nitrogen Cycle” 3:56
(photosynthesis)
(photosynthesis)
respiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-lcEXI7al4 Brainpop “The Carbon Cycle” 1:23
Ecosystem HierarchyEcosystem Hierarchy
Organisms: individuals of a speciesOrganisms: individuals of a species PopulationsPopulations: groups of organisms of the same : groups of organisms of the same
speciesspecies
CommunitiesCommunities: the interaction of different : the interaction of different populations; communities live within anpopulations; communities live within an
EEcosystemcosystem: all of the abiotic and biotic parts of : all of the abiotic and biotic parts of an an ecosystemecosystem
BiosphereBiosphere: all of Earth’s ecosystems: all of Earth’s ecosystems
Hierarchy From Atoms toHierarchy From Atoms to EcosystemsEcosystems
Levels from Largest to Levels from Largest to SmallestSmallest
Ecosystem LevelEcosystem Level Community LevelCommunity Level Population LevelPopulation Level Organism LevelOrganism Level Organ System LevelOrgan System Level Organ LevelOrgan Level Tissue LevelTissue Level Cellular LevelCellular Level Molecular LevelMolecular Level Atomic LevelAtomic Level
From Atoms to BiosphereFrom Atoms to Biosphere
Ecosystem OrganizationEcosystem Organization
Organism (single one of species)Organism (single one of species) Mushrooms Polar Bears SnakesMushrooms Polar Bears Snakes
4 Populations (same species)4 Populations (same species) Elk PopulationElk Population Cacti PopulationCacti Population
Elephant PopulationElephant Population Gorilla PopulationGorilla Population
Communities (many populations)Communities (many populations)What communities are present in each of these ecosystems?What communities are present in each of these ecosystems? Marine (aquatic) Ecosystem Freshwater & Terrestrial EcosystemsMarine (aquatic) Ecosystem Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecosystems
Ecosystems make up the biosphere.Ecosystems make up the biosphere.
Earth is the only planet on which life exists. It consists of three components Earth is the only planet on which life exists. It consists of three components LithosphereLithosphere(Land), Hydrosphere (Water)(Land), Hydrosphere (Water) and and Atmosphere (AirAtmosphere (Air). The life supporting zone of the). The life supporting zone of theearth where atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere meet, interact and make life possible,earth where atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere meet, interact and make life possible,is known as is known as biosphere.biosphere.
An Arctic Food Web ActivityAn Arctic Food Web Activity
1.1. What overlapping aquatic/terrestrial food What overlapping aquatic/terrestrial food chains are there in this ecosystem?chains are there in this ecosystem?
2.2. What population, if removed, would have the What population, if removed, would have the greatest impact on the overall food web?greatest impact on the overall food web?
3.3. If the water was highly contaminated, what If the water was highly contaminated, what organism/population would have the highest organism/population would have the highest level of contamination?level of contamination?
4.4. Which organism contributes dissolved Which organism contributes dissolved oxygen to the water?oxygen to the water?
5.5. Which organisms may compete for the same Which organisms may compete for the same food source(s)?food source(s)?
How would the removal of algae from this arctic How would the removal of algae from this arctic food web affect both the biotic and abiotic factors?food web affect both the biotic and abiotic factors?
-- silverside pop. decreasesilverside pop. decrease- beluga whale pop. decreasebeluga whale pop. decrease- cod pop. Decreasescod pop. Decreases- bacteria increase & use up bacteria increase & use up
dissolved oxygendissolved oxygen
**Every population is directly or **Every population is directly or indirectly affectedindirectly affected
BiodiversityBiodiversity
A variety of species exist in all ecosystems.A variety of species exist in all ecosystems.
What are examples of biodiversity in our What are examples of biodiversity in our area?area?-- plant biodiversityplant biodiversity-- insect biodiversityinsect biodiversity-- animal biodiversityanimal biodiversity-- fungi biodiversityfungi biodiversity-- bacteria biodiversitybacteria biodiversity
Disruptions to Ecosystems: The Human Factor
Disturbances to Physical (abiotic) or Disturbances to Physical (abiotic) or Biological (biotic) Components of EcosystemsBiological (biotic) Components of Ecosystems
Disruptions lead to shifts in all populations. This changes Disruptions lead to shifts in all populations. This changes the the biodiversitybiodiversity of an ecosystem. of an ecosystem.
What disruptions may occur leading to a change in the What disruptions may occur leading to a change in the physical (nonliving/abiotic) components in an physical (nonliving/abiotic) components in an ecosystem?ecosystem?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddlrGkeOzsI Lake Peigneur disaster 9:54
1.What affect did this disaster have on the aquatic ecosystems? Terrestrial?2.What affect did this disaster have on the terrestrial ecosystems?** Include both biotic and abiotic factors when answering these two questions.3. How would this disaster lead to possible “population shifts”? Be specific.
Disruptions to Physical Disruptions to Physical (nonliving/abiotic) Components(nonliving/abiotic) Components
Hunting seasonsHunting seasons - Laws (ownership)- Laws (ownership) Laws against poachingLaws against poaching - Size limitations- Size limitations Limit on NumbersLimit on Numbers - Organizations- Organizations License requiredLicense required - Size/types of nets- Size/types of nets Specific placesSpecific places - Limits on gender- Limits on gender Wildlife Reserves/National ParksWildlife Reserves/National Parks Tagging/Monitoring Programs (remote sensing)Tagging/Monitoring Programs (remote sensing) Breeding ProgramsBreeding Programs Identification of Endangered SpeciesIdentification of Endangered Species
How may volcanoes disrupt ecosystems?How may volcanoes disrupt ecosystems?
Producers?Producers?
Consumers?Consumers?
Biotic Factors?Biotic Factors?
Abiotic Factors?Abiotic Factors?
Impact of Clear Cutting Impact of Clear Cutting What are the impacts on biotic and abiotic factors?What are the impacts on biotic and abiotic factors?
Impact of Introducing Exotic Species: KudzuImpact of Introducing Exotic Species: Kudzu
Kudzu is a serious invasive plant in the United States. It has been spreading inKudzu is a serious invasive plant in the United States. It has been spreading in
the southern U.S. at the rate of 150,000 acres (61,000 ha) annually, "easilythe southern U.S. at the rate of 150,000 acres (61,000 ha) annually, "easily
outpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing theoutpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing the
costs of these controls by $6 million annually.“ Its introduction has producedcosts of these controls by $6 million annually.“ Its introduction has produced
devastating environmental consequences. What do you think?devastating environmental consequences. What do you think?
Impact of Introducing Exotic Species: Impact of Introducing Exotic Species: Burmese python in FloridaBurmese python in Florida
This snake was found in the Everglades National Park, measuring 17 feet, 7 inchesThis snake was found in the Everglades National Park, measuring 17 feet, 7 inchesand over 165 pounds. The other record broken was the fact the snake was pregnantand over 165 pounds. The other record broken was the fact the snake was pregnantwith 87eggs. There is believed to be thousands thriving the moist, hot climate of with 87eggs. There is believed to be thousands thriving the moist, hot climate of
thetheEverglades perhaps released years ago by pet owners or from pet shops duringEverglades perhaps released years ago by pet owners or from pet shops duringHurricane Andrew in 1992. Local ordinances prohibit the import of these reptiles Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Local ordinances prohibit the import of these reptiles
andandallowing them to be hunted has not put much of a dent on population control. Theyallowing them to be hunted has not put much of a dent on population control. Theyhave the ability to swallow large animals’ whole after coiling around their prey andhave the ability to swallow large animals’ whole after coiling around their prey andsuffocating them. What do you think?suffocating them. What do you think?
The Effect of the Brown Tree Snake in GuamThe Effect of the Brown Tree Snake in Guam
__ What led to the dramatic loss of birds on Guam? Well this part of the story isn’t actually so “natural”—What led to the dramatic loss of birds on Guam? Well this part of the story isn’t actually so “natural”—although it was unintentional. Sometime in the mid to late 1940s, brown tree snakes were introduced to although it was unintentional. Sometime in the mid to late 1940s, brown tree snakes were introduced to the island probably by hitching a ride on a cargo ship after World War II. Because there aren’t many the island probably by hitching a ride on a cargo ship after World War II. Because there aren’t many large predators on Guam, the snakes quickly took over the island. By the 1980s the birds were wiped large predators on Guam, the snakes quickly took over the island. By the 1980s the birds were wiped out save for two colonies that continue to exist on a military base. To this day the snakes are still around out save for two colonies that continue to exist on a military base. To this day the snakes are still around (one of the attempts to control them involved dropping Tylenol-laced mice from airplanes). (one of the attempts to control them involved dropping Tylenol-laced mice from airplanes).
__ What happens to spiders when you remove birds from a tropical island? The researchers found that What happens to spiders when you remove birds from a tropical island? The researchers found that during the dry season Guam had 2.3 times more spider webs than neighboring islands that still have during the dry season Guam had 2.3 times more spider webs than neighboring islands that still have birds. During the wet season the number of webs was a whopping 40 times higher on Guam. And the birds. During the wet season the number of webs was a whopping 40 times higher on Guam. And the spider webs on Guam were much larger—50% larger—than those on the other islands. spider webs on Guam were much larger—50% larger—than those on the other islands.
__ Removing birds from the equation likely changed the Guam spider population in many ways including Removing birds from the equation likely changed the Guam spider population in many ways including some (or all) of these scenarios: (1) since birds weren’t around to eat the spiders the spider population some (or all) of these scenarios: (1) since birds weren’t around to eat the spiders the spider population grew, (2) the spiders no longer had to compete with the birds to eat insects so more spiders survived and grew, (2) the spiders no longer had to compete with the birds to eat insects so more spiders survived and were able to reproduce, (3) the spiders didn’t have to keep spinning new webs because the birds weren’t were able to reproduce, (3) the spiders didn’t have to keep spinning new webs because the birds weren’t there to mess them up anymore, so they built larger webs and put more energy into reproduction.there to mess them up anymore, so they built larger webs and put more energy into reproduction.
Population DensityPopulation Density
-- the number of people/organisms living per the number of people/organisms living per unit of an area (e.g. per square mile); the unit of an area (e.g. per square mile); the number of people relative to the space number of people relative to the space occupied by them occupied by them
__ how full an area is: the concentration of how full an area is: the concentration of people or things within an area in relation people or things within an area in relation to its size to its size
Limiting FactorLimiting Factor
-- environmental environmental factorsfactors that limit that limit population sizes in a particular population sizes in a particular ecosystemecosystem
Limiting Factors in an EcosystemLimiting Factors in an Ecosystem
Density-dependent FactorsDensity-dependent Factors-- operate more strongly on large operate more strongly on large populations and diseasepopulations and disease
-- triggered by increases in population triggered by increases in population density (crowding)density (crowding)
* Competition for food, water, shelter & space* Competition for food, water, shelter & space
* Predation* Predation
* Parasitism* Parasitism
* Disease* Disease
Population Density: measures the number of Population Density: measures the number of individual organisms living in a defined spaceindividual organisms living in a defined space
High Population DensityHigh Population Density
China’s Qingdao Huiquan Beach
China’s Qingdao Huiquan BeachChina’s Qingdao Huiquan BeachLow Population DensityLow Population Density
Compare this picture to the previous one. If these were animals, Compare this picture to the previous one. If these were animals, How may the spread of disease and parasites be affected by the How may the spread of disease and parasites be affected by the
population densities? population densities? How may competition for food, water, space and shelter be affected?How may competition for food, water, space and shelter be affected?
WW
What is the relationship between the hare population and the lynx population?What is the relationship between the hare population and the lynx population? What role does competition play in this predator/prey relationship?What role does competition play in this predator/prey relationship? Why is competition important in an ecosystem?Why is competition important in an ecosystem?
Limiting factors Limiting factors that occur regardless of how that occur regardless of how large the population is and reduce the size of large the population is and reduce the size of all populations in the area; mostly abioticall populations in the area; mostly abiotic
