An Introduction to Ecology An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphereand the BiosphereChapter 52

EcologyEcologyWhat is ecology?Study of interactions between

organisms and their environment.The environment includes both

biotic and abiotic factors.Biotic = living, abiotic = non-livingEcology therefore will incorporate

biotic and abiotic interactions

Four Levels of Inquiry:Four Levels of Inquiry:1. Organismal Ecology:1. Organismal Ecology:Ways the individual meets

challenges posed by the environment.

What is this area of ecology concerned with?

Behavioral, morphological and physiological developments in the organisms that allow them to interact with their environment.

2. Population Ecology2. Population EcologyWhat is a population?Group of individuals of the same

species living in the same area.What is this area of ecology

concerned with?Factors that affect population

size and composition.

3. Community Ecology3. Community EcologyWhat is a community?All of the organisms that occupy

a particular area.What is this area of ecology

concerned with?Involves predator/prey

relationships, competition and disease.

4. Ecosystem Ecology 4. Ecosystem Ecology What is an ecosystem?Includes all of the biotic and

abiotic factors plus the community that exists in a specific area.

What is this area of ecology concerned with?

Energy flow, chemical cycling, primary productivity.

5. Landscape Ecology5. Landscape EcologyWhat is a landscape?A mosaic of connected

ecosystemsWhat is this area of ecology

concerned with?Factors controlling exchanges of

energy, materials and organisms across ecosystems.

6. Global Ecology6. Global EcologyWhat is the biosphere?All of the planet’s ecosystems

and landscapesWhat is this area of ecology

concerned with?Regional exchange of energy and

materials and how they affect the functioning and distribution of organisms across the biosphere

Abiotic factorsAbiotic factorstemperaturewatersalinitysunlightwindrocks and soilperiodic disturbances (e.g.

tornadoes, hurricanes…)

Effects on ClimateEffects on ClimateBodies of waterMountainsSeasonalityMicroclimateLong-term climate change

Global Climate PatternsGlobal Climate PatternsLatitude and sunlight intensitySeasons and sunlight intensityGlobal air circulation and

precipitationGlobal wind patterns

Seasonal effects on climate:Seasonal effects on climate:For example turnover in a lakeFor example turnover in a lake

Biomes:Biomes:What is a biome?A major community that is

classified by the predominant vegetation and characterized by the adaptations of organisms that live there.

Aquatic Biomes Aquatic Biomes

Vertical stratification is important in aquatic biomes

Zonation in a Lake:

Lake classification:Lake classification:What is an oligotrophic lake?Deep water and nutrient poor,

water is very clear.What is a eutrophic lake?Shallower water, nutrient rich,

murky water.

WetlandsWetlandsWhat are wetlands?Area covered with water that

supports aquatic plants.Very rich biome with diverse

birds, invertebrates, mammals, etc.

EstuaryEstuaryWhat is an estuary?The area where freshwater

merges with salt water.River nutrients enrich the

estuary.Salinity varies throughout the

estuary.Important source of oysters,

crabs and fish.

Marine Community Marine Community

Zonation in a marine environment:

Intertidal ZoneIntertidal ZoneRocky Shores:What challenges are faced by

organisms that live here?Rough waves pounding the rocksSalinity changesHard rocky substrate

Coral ReefCoral ReefWhere are the producers in this

community?Symbiotic algae live in the coral,

and are producers for this community.

Waves bring constant supply of nutrients

Water is shallow enough to allow for light penetration, and photosynthesis.

Oceanic Pelagic BiomeOceanic Pelagic BiomeTemperate oceans have seasonal

turnover of nutrients like in lakesSome tropical areas have

stratification and no turnover of nutrients.

Photic zones have phytoplankton as producers.

Large animals move up to photic zone to feed.

Benthic zoneBenthic zoneOcean bottom of neritic and pelagic

zonesNeritic benthic communities are

very productiveDeep benthic communities - abyssal

zone - are adapted to cold water, no light, and low nutrient levels.

Deep sea vents found here, producers are chemoautotrophs not photoautotrophs.

Terrestrial biomes Terrestrial biomes

Terrestrial biomesTerrestrial biomesTropical forestDesertSavannaChaparralTemperate grasslandTemperate broadleaf forestConiferous forestTundra

Review the characteristics of Review the characteristics of the different biomes and the different biomes and identify which biome is seen identify which biome is seen in the following slides…in the following slides…

Desert biome

Benthos

Broadleaf Forest

Grasslands

Tundra

Desert

Broadleaf forest

Tundra

Coniferous forest

Temperate grassland

Savannah

Tropical forest

Chaparral

Taiga/Tundra

Wetlands

Where would this creature live?

What adaptations does it have for life here?

Where would these animals be found?

Where would these short flowers be found?