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NR216NR216

Introductory EcologyIntroductory Ecology

Winter, 2011Winter, 2011

Lecture #1 January 11Lecture #1 January 11

Chapter 1 E&FBChapter 1 E&FB

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Todays Class :Todays Class :

Technical Report # 1 due at beginning ofTechnical Report # 1 due at beginning ofscheduled lecture February 15scheduled lecture February 15

Midterm in scheduled lectureMidterm in scheduled lectureFebruary 22February 22

Twig Collection due at beginning ofTwig Collection due at beginning of

scheduled lab March 22, 23 or 24scheduled lab March 22, 23 or 24 EE & FB Textbook& FB Textbook overviewoverview

What is Ecology?What is Ecology?

Biosphere 2Biosphere 2

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What is Ecology?What is Ecology?

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ECOLOGYECOLOGY

eco =eco = oikosoikos (Greek)(Greek)

householdhousehold

homehome

place to liveplace to live

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ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM

Total assemblageTotal assemblage

of living organismsof living organisms

along with nonalong with non--livingliving

environmentenvironment in a particular area.in a particular area. Kimmins,Kimmins,

Balancing Act, p.28Balancing Act, p.28

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The Economics of NatureThe Economics of Nature

HaekelHaekel 18691869 moremore

the studythe study

of the interaction of organismsof the interaction of organisms

with each otherwith each other

and with their environmentand with their environment

ECOECOSYSTEMSYSTEM moremore

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ENERGY from the sunENERGY from the sun

BIOTIC FACTORS :BIOTIC FACTORS :

plantsplants

animalsanimals decomposersdecomposers

(fungi, bacteria, some insects))(fungi, bacteria, some insects))

ABIOTIC FACTORS :ABIOTIC FACTORS : atmosphere (gases, weather, wind)atmosphere (gases, weather, wind)

soil (nutrients, water, substrate)soil (nutrients, water, substrate)

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+ PROCESSES+ PROCESSES

living & dyingliving & dying

photosynthesis,photosynthesis,

nutrient cycles & decompositionnutrient cycles & decomposition water cyclewater cycle

disturbances

fire, wind, flood, urbanization, insects & diseasefire, wind, flood, urbanization, insects & disease

population & community interactionspopulation & community interactions

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ECOSYSTEMS ARE DYNAMICECOSYSTEMS ARE DYNAMIC

Disturbances likeDisturbances like

fire, windthrow, flood & forest harvestingfire, windthrow, flood & forest harvesting

Change the stage of developmentChange the stage of development

seral stageseral stage

Dont destroy itDont destroy it

secondary successionsecondary succession

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HISTORY :HISTORY :

Plant ecologyPlant ecology 1st1st plant geographers sawworldplant geographers sawworld--wide similaritieswide similarities

AskedAsked why?why?

Climate?Climate?

Led to study of plant communities orLed to study of plant communities orassociations (esp. forests)associations (esp. forests)

In EuropeIn Europe described differentdescribed different

associations (Humbolt)associations (Humbolt) In N.A. looked more at how theyIn N.A. looked more at how they

develop, or plant succession (Clements)develop, or plant succession (Clements)

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PLANT ECOLOGYPLANT ECOLOGY

Synecology :Synecology :

The study of plant communities,

The study of plant communities,

their ecology,their ecology,

distribution &distribution &

environmental relationshipsenvironmental relationships Basis for ecosystemBasis for ecosystem (eg.forest)(eg.forest)

managementmanagement

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Studies combined to helpStudies combined to help

develop science of ecologydevelop science of ecology Classification & TaxonomyClassification & Taxonomy moremore

morphological patternsmorphological patterns

PlantPlant GeographyGeography moremore patterns of plant distributionpatterns of plant distribution

++ T

heory of evolution (CharlesT

heory of evolution (Charles Darw

inDarw

in bookbook ))

Genetics (Genetics (GregorGregor MendelMendel moremore ))

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Animal EcologyAnimal Ecology

1920s1920s

behavioural ecologybehavioural ecology

the science of communities &the science of communities &

populationspopulations

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Ecosystem EcologyEcosystem Ecology

initially, strictly terrestrialinitially, strictly terrestrial biomesbiomes

19421942

The TrophicThe Trophic--Dynamic Aspect of EcologyDynamic Aspect of Ecology

succession described in terms of energy flowsuccession described in terms of energy flow

through a lake ecosystemthrough a lake ecosystem

trophic/energy levelstrophic/energy levels

organic nutrient cycling & feeding levelsorganic nutrient cycling & feeding levels

producers & consumersproducers & consumers

Added processes to abiotic & biotic factorsAdded processes to abiotic & biotic factors

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Applied EcologyApplied Ecology

1930s ~ 1970s1930s ~ 1970s

Public awareness of environmental problems grewPublic awareness of environmental problems grew

Rachel Carson :Rachel Carson :SilentSpringSilentSpring(1962(1962)) moremore

Conservation BiologyConservation Biology maintain biological diversitymaintain biological diversity

Restoration EcologyRestoration Ecology

reclamation & management of disturbed landsreclamation & management of disturbed lands

Landscape EcologyLandscape Ecology ecosystem managementecosystem management

Added in social componentAdded in social component

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EcologyEcology

Is a science with no value judgmentIs a science with no value judgment

Add in societys value judgments aboutAdd in societys value judgments about

the environmentthe environment

Leads to acceptable/successfulLeads to acceptable/successful

conservation policies & strategiesconservation policies & strategies((KimminsKimmins, Balancing Act p.28,29), Balancing Act p.28,29)

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Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

Investigates questions related to :Investigates questions related to :

rapidly increasing human population,rapidly increasing human population,

the use and abuse of resources,the use and abuse of resources, damage caused by pollution &damage caused by pollution &

disturbance,disturbance,

and the endangerment & extinction ofand the endangerment & extinction of

species and natural ecosystems.species and natural ecosystems.

(Freedman, Environmental Science :A Canadian Perspective )(Freedman, Environmental Science :A Canadian Perspective )

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Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

Study of howwe and other speciesStudy of howwe and other species

interact with one anotherinteract with one another

and with the nonand with the non--living environment (matter and energy).living environment (matter and energy).

It is a physical and social science that integrates knowledge fromIt is a physical and social science that integrates knowledge froma wide range of disciplines, including :a wide range of disciplines, including :

physics, chemistry, biology (especially ecology),physics, chemistry, biology (especially ecology),

geology, geography, resource technology & engineering,geology, geography, resource technology & engineering,

resource conservation & management,resource conservation & management,

demography (the study of human population dynamics),demography (the study of human population dynamics),

economics, politics, sociology, psychology and ethics.economics, politics, sociology, psychology and ethics.

In otherwords, it is a study of how the parts of nature and humanIn otherwords, it is a study of how the parts of nature and humansocieties operate and interactsocieties operate and interact a study of connections anda study of connections andinteractions.interactions.

(Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002)(Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002)

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Environmental ScientistEnvironmental Scientist

Scientist who uses informationfromtheScientist who uses informationfromthephysical sciences and social sciences to :physical sciences and social sciences to :

1. understand how the earth works1. understand how the earth works

2. learn how humans interact with the2. learn how humans interact with theearth, andearth, and

3. develop solutions to environmental3. develop solutions to environmentalproblems.problems.

Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002

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Literature CitedLiterature Cited

Freedman, W. 2004. EnvironmentalFreedman, W. 2004. Environmental

Science: A Canadian Perspective 3/eScience: A Canadian Perspective 3/e

672 pp. Pearson Education.672 pp. Pearson Education.

ISBN 0ISBN 0--1313--139863139863--66

KimminsKimmins, J.P, J.P. (Hamish). 1997.. (Hamish). 1997.

Balancing Act,Balancing Act, 2/e. BC2/e. BC Press.Press.ISBNISBN 00--77487748--05740574--99

Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002Miller, Sustaining the Earth, 2002

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Biosphere IIBiosphere II

WEBSITEWEBSITE

ReportReport oon Biosphere 2n Biosphere 2

InterviewInterview one of participantsone of participants

More about BiospheresMore about Biospheres VideoVideo