AnnouncementsAnnouncements

• Assignment for discussion sectionAssignment for discussion section• read Bradshaw and Bekoff paperread Bradshaw and Bekoff paper• come to section prepared to discuss come to section prepared to discuss

questionsquestions

• Change in Kevin’s office hoursChange in Kevin’s office hours• Check out the website:Check out the website:

www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/

SummarySummary

• What is Ecology?What is Ecology?• Ecology vs. EnvironmentalismEcology vs. Environmentalism• Observation and ExperimentationObservation and Experimentation• The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method• Roots of EcologyRoots of Ecology• Theory of Evolution by Natural Theory of Evolution by Natural

SelectionSelection

Two-minute quiz:Two-minute quiz:Ecology is (pick the Ecology is (pick the bestbest answer): answer):

1.1. the study of the distribution of plant and the study of the distribution of plant and animal species across the earthanimal species across the earth

2.2. the same as environmental sciencethe same as environmental science

3.3. the study of how abiotic factors determine the study of how abiotic factors determine the evolution of animals and plantsthe evolution of animals and plants

4.4. a method for classifying organismsa method for classifying organisms

5.5. a relatively old sciencea relatively old science

6.6. the study of the relationships of living the study of the relationships of living things to one another and their things to one another and their environmentenvironment

Theory of Evolution by Natural Theory of Evolution by Natural SelectionSelection

• lineages with the most appropriate lineages with the most appropriate biological programming (genes) for the biological programming (genes) for the current conditions will leave the most current conditions will leave the most descendantsdescendants

• what is a lineage?what is a lineage?• family group family group • coming from a common ancestorcoming from a common ancestor

Defining ‘evolution’Defining ‘evolution’

• Scientific definition vs. common Scientific definition vs. common usageusage

Defining ‘evolution’Defining ‘evolution’Scientific Definitions:Scientific Definitions:• All the changes that have transformed life on earth All the changes that have transformed life on earth

from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today characterizes it today –Neil Campbell–Neil Campbell

Defining ‘evolution’Defining ‘evolution’Scientific Definitions:Scientific Definitions:• All the changes that have transformed life on All the changes that have transformed life on

earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today that characterizes it today –Neil –Neil CampbellCampbell

• The origination of species of animals and plantsThe origination of species of animals and plants…… –O.E.D. –O.E.D.

Defining ‘evolution’Defining ‘evolution’Scientific Definitions:Scientific Definitions:• All the changes that have transformed life on All the changes that have transformed life on

earth from its earliest beginnings to the earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today diversity that characterizes it today –Neil Campbell–Neil Campbell

• The origination of species of animals and The origination of species of animals and plantsplants …… –O.E.D.–O.E.D.

From a scientific point of view, evolution is From a scientific point of view, evolution is just just how new species come abouthow new species come about

……and evolution does not mean “getting and evolution does not mean “getting better”better”

Defining ‘evolution’Defining ‘evolution’Scientific Definitions:Scientific Definitions:• All the changes that have transformed life on All the changes that have transformed life on

earth from its earliest beginnings to the earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today diversity that characterizes it today –Neil Campbell–Neil Campbell

• The origination of species of animals and The origination of species of animals and plants… plants…

–O.E.D. –O.E.D.

Common Usage:Common Usage:• A process of continuous change from a lower, A process of continuous change from a lower,

simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, simpler, or worse to a higher, more complex, or better state or better state –Merriam-Webster’s –Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary Dictionary

Humans and evolutionHumans and evolution

• Where does the “getting better” idea Where does the “getting better” idea come from?come from?• view of humans as an evolutionary endpointview of humans as an evolutionary endpoint

Humans and evolutionHumans and evolution

• Where does the “getting better” idea Where does the “getting better” idea come from?come from?• view of humans as an evolutionary view of humans as an evolutionary

endpointendpoint

• Humans and natural selectionHumans and natural selection• humans humans areare different different

• the “unfit” often live to reproducethe “unfit” often live to reproduce• strong culturestrong culture• direct contact with nature is limiteddirect contact with nature is limited• ubiquitous presence ubiquitous presence

Where does ecology fit in?Where does ecology fit in?

Biological Sciences

Earth SciencesPhysical Sciences

Where does ecology fit in?Where does ecology fit in?

Biological Sciences

Earth SciencesPhysical Sciences

Ecology

• Ecology is an interdisciplinary science

• Ecological studies are done at the interface of these 3 fields

Organization within EcologyOrganization within Ecology

Ecosystem Ecology

Physiological Ecology

Population Ecology

Community Ecology

Behavioral Ecology

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Physiological Ecology: Physiological Ecology: • the study of the diverse adaptations that the study of the diverse adaptations that

enable organisms to function in their enable organisms to function in their environmentenvironment

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Behavioral Behavioral Ecology: Ecology: • the study of the the study of the

ecological and ecological and evolutionary basis evolutionary basis for animal behaviorfor animal behavior

• the roles of the roles of behavior in behavior in enabling animals to enabling animals to adapt to their adapt to their ecological nichesecological niches

Mimic Octopus VidMimic Octopus Video Clipeo Clip

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Behavioral Ecology: Behavioral Ecology: • the study of the the study of the

ecological and ecological and evolutionary basis evolutionary basis for animal behaviorfor animal behavior

• the roles of behavior the roles of behavior in enabling animals in enabling animals to adapt to their to adapt to their ecological nichesecological niches

• does “plant does “plant behavior” exist?behavior” exist?

Mimic Octopus VidMimic Octopus Video Clipeo Clip

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable response to is defined as “an observable response to

environmental stimuli” environmental stimuli” –Starr and Taggart–Starr and Taggart

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable response is defined as “an observable response

to environmental stimuli” to environmental stimuli” –Starr and –Starr and TaggartTaggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often at nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalswork in animals

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable response is defined as “an observable response

to environmental stimuli” to environmental stimuli” –Starr and –Starr and TaggartTaggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often at nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalswork in animals

• plants have hormones and signaling pathways plants have hormones and signaling pathways but no “brain”but no “brain”

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable is defined as “an observable

response to environmental stimuli” response to environmental stimuli” –Starr and –Starr and TaggartTaggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often at nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalswork in animals

• plants have hormones and signaling pathways plants have hormones and signaling pathways but no “brain” but no “brain”

• plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, and touchand touch

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable is defined as “an observable

response to environmental stimuli” response to environmental stimuli” –Starr –Starr and Taggartand Taggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalsat work in animals

• plants have hormones and signaling plants have hormones and signaling pathways but no “brain” pathways but no “brain”

• plants respond to stimuli such as light, plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, and touchgravity, and touch

• sometimes the responses are very slowsometimes the responses are very slow

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable is defined as “an observable

response to environmental stimuli” response to environmental stimuli” –Starr –Starr and Taggartand Taggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often at nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalswork in animals

• plants have hormones and signaling plants have hormones and signaling pathways but no “brain” pathways but no “brain”

• plants respond to stimuli such as light, plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, and touchgravity, and touch

• sometimes the responses are very slowsometimes the responses are very slow• plants in motionplants in motion

Plant behaviorPlant behavior• behaviorbehavior is defined as “an observable is defined as “an observable

response to environmental stimuli” response to environmental stimuli” –Starr –Starr and Taggartand Taggart

• nervous and endocrine systems are often at nervous and endocrine systems are often at work in animalswork in animals

• plants have hormones and signaling plants have hormones and signaling pathways but no “brain” pathways but no “brain”

• plants respond to stimuli such as light, plants respond to stimuli such as light, gravity, and touchgravity, and touch

• sometimes the responses are very slowsometimes the responses are very slow• plants in motionplants in motion• very few people study the “why’s”very few people study the “why’s”

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Population Ecology:Population Ecology:• the study of individuals of a certain species the study of individuals of a certain species

occupying a defined area during a specific occupying a defined area during a specific timetime

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Community Ecology:Community Ecology:• the study of how populations of organisms the study of how populations of organisms

interactinteract

Ecology subfields:Ecology subfields:

• Ecosystem Ecology: Ecosystem Ecology: • the study of interactions between organisms the study of interactions between organisms

and their environment as an integrated and their environment as an integrated systemsystem

Different types of ecologists ask Different types of ecologists ask different types of questions. different types of questions.

How does carbon loss from plowed soils influence global climate?

How does deforestation influence the water supply to nearby towns?

How does acid rain influence forest productivity?

What are the biological controls over rock weathering?

Endolithic ecosystem

Forest ecosystem

Watershed

Global ecosystem

ScaleScale QuestionQuestion

Temporal ScaleTemporal Scale• Length of time Length of time • Type of process is important:Type of process is important:

• many ecological processes take decadesmany ecological processes take decades• unfortunately funding usually lasts for only 3 unfortunately funding usually lasts for only 3

yearsyears• LTERLTER

• biology can be nearly instantaneousbiology can be nearly instantaneous• geological processes are very slowgeological processes are very slow• chemistry can be fast or slowchemistry can be fast or slow

• enzymatic activity enzymatic activity • lifetime of certain gases in the atmospherelifetime of certain gases in the atmosphere

Spatial ScaleSpatial Scale

“Powers of Ten” Online Demo“Powers of Ten” Online Demo

Summary for today…Summary for today…

• Definition of ‘lineage’ and ‘evolution’Definition of ‘lineage’ and ‘evolution’• Humans and evolutionHumans and evolution• Ecology as an interdisciplinary scienceEcology as an interdisciplinary science• Different subfields in Ecology:Different subfields in Ecology:

• Physiological EcologyPhysiological Ecology• Behavioral EcologyBehavioral Ecology• Population EcologyPopulation Ecology• Community EcologyCommunity Ecology• Ecosystem EcologyEcosystem Ecology

• Temporal and Spatial scale in ecologyTemporal and Spatial scale in ecology

AnnouncementsAnnouncements• HandoutsHandouts

• I have more copiesI have more copies• You can also get them online: You can also get them online:

www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/• My office hours: Mondays 10:15-My office hours: Mondays 10:15-

12:00pm12:00pm• Panel on careers in the environment?Panel on careers in the environment?

• Fish and Wildlife/Fish and GameFish and Wildlife/Fish and Game• Non-governmental organizationsNon-governmental organizations• Consulting firms and private companiesConsulting firms and private companies• EducationEducation

From Monday…From Monday…• Scientific vs. common use of the Scientific vs. common use of the

word “evolution”word “evolution”• Subfields of EcologySubfields of Ecology• ScaleScale

Two-minute quiz…Two-minute quiz…• Imagine that you are an Imagine that you are an ecosystemecosystem

ecologist. You travel to rural Costa ecologist. You travel to rural Costa Rica, where several of the people you Rica, where several of the people you meet work on banana plantations. meet work on banana plantations. You visit a plantation, and then You visit a plantation, and then decide to incorporate a study of one decide to incorporate a study of one into your research program. Which into your research program. Which one of the following questions might one of the following questions might you pursue as part of your research?you pursue as part of your research?

1.1. How does the fruit-eating bat population How does the fruit-eating bat population respond after a banana plantation is respond after a banana plantation is abandoned?abandoned?

2.2. How many different species of ant live in a How many different species of ant live in a banana plantation, and how does this banana plantation, and how does this number compare with an equally-sized number compare with an equally-sized patch of rainforest?patch of rainforest?

3.3. How much nitrogen enters streams from a How much nitrogen enters streams from a banana plantation in comparison to old banana plantation in comparison to old growth rainforest?growth rainforest?

4.4. How complex are the insect-based food How complex are the insect-based food webs in a pesticide-free banana webs in a pesticide-free banana plantation?plantation?

5.5. Which contains foliage that is more Which contains foliage that is more difficult to consume, a banana plant or a difficult to consume, a banana plant or a walking palm? walking palm?

What is an ecosystem?What is an ecosystem?

• All the organisms and the abiotic All the organisms and the abiotic entities with which they interact within entities with which they interact within a given spacea given space

• The space is delineated by the person The space is delineated by the person studying itstudying it• Can be as large as the whole earthCan be as large as the whole earth• Can be as small as a test tubeCan be as small as a test tube• What determines the appropriate scale?What determines the appropriate scale?

What is an ecosystem What is an ecosystem process?process?

• Transfer of materials or energy from Transfer of materials or energy from one pool to anotherone pool to another• Can involve biotic and abiotic Can involve biotic and abiotic

components of the systemcomponents of the system

What regulates the function of What regulates the function of ecosystems?ecosystems?

• Feedback mechanismsFeedback mechanisms• Energy flowEnergy flow

Feedback mechanismsFeedback mechanisms

• Positive feedbackPositive feedback • Negative feedbackNegative feedback

A B A B

Positive feedback Positive feedback

• Can push system to a new stateCan push system to a new state

Ice reflects the sun’s rays

With less ice, the darker surface of land and ocean absorb more heat

warming

Positive feedback Positive feedback

• Can push system to a new stateCan push system to a new stateFertile soil

Rich litter

Fast decomposition

Rapid nutrient

release

Negative feedback Negative feedback

• Tends to keep a system stableTends to keep a system stable

Prey Predator

Energy FlowEnergy Flow

• Climate: Climate: • transport of energy through the earth transport of energy through the earth

systemsystem• key control over distribution of earth’s key control over distribution of earth’s

ecosystemsecosystems

• Biology:Biology:• controls the transfer of energy within controls the transfer of energy within

and between organismsand between organisms

Where does energy come from?

• The sun • Geothermal activity

What happens to energy from the sun?

Reflected by clouds and atmosphere

Reflected by surface

albedo

Absorbed as heat

Absorbed in photosynthesis

100

23

8

20Absorbed by

atmosphere and clouds

57

472

Energy Budget

• Albedo: depends on reflectivity• Water: 2%• Snow: 50-90%• Clouds: 90%• Vegetation: 5-30%

• Photosynthesis: 2% chemical energy

• Heat: the rest (8-90%) drives climate

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

• WeatherWeather describes describes short term short term variabilityvariability

• Difficult to predictDifficult to predict

"sensitive dependence upon initial conditions"

The Butterfly EffectThe Butterfly Effect

Link to “butterfly efLink to “butterfly effect” online demofect” online demo

Weather, chaos, and the butterfly Weather, chaos, and the butterfly effecteffect

• Meteorologist Edward Lorenz, a pioneer of chaos theory, coined the famous phrase “the butterfly effect”.

• The work of weather, he argued, can ultimately magnify the flapping of a butterfly’s wings into a typhoon.

• The phrase has become shorthand for the way tiny factors working through complex systems can work huge changes in history.

• 'Chaotic' motion is not completely random. Although precise details of the motion cannot be predicted, patterns can be seen in the chaos.

Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate

• WeatherWeather describes describes short term short term variabilityvariability

• Difficult to predictDifficult to predict

• ClimateClimate describes describes typical conditions typical conditions for a regionfor a region

• More predictableMore predictable• Heat moves airHeat moves air• Depends on Depends on

M.O.L.E.M.O.L.E.::• mmountainsountains• ooceans and lakesceans and lakes• llatitudeatitude• eelevationlevation

Uneven Heating of EarthUneven Heating of Earth

Greater heating at equator than poles

• sun’s rays hit more directly

• less atmosphere to penetrate

Therefore• net gain of energy at

equator• net loss of energy at

poles

Heat Moves AirHeat Moves AirAir rises at equator and

subsides at poles (vertical circulation)

Atmosphere contains circulation cells at different latitudes

Earth’s rotation determines

• wind direction • horizontal circulation

(Coriolis force)

Mountains: orographic liftMountains: orographic lift

Ocean: surface currentsOcean: surface currents

Ocean: deep conveyorOcean: deep conveyor

OceanOcean• surface currents are driven by windsurface currents are driven by wind

• surface currents are driven by windsurface currents are driven by wind• Coriolis forces deflect current away Coriolis forces deflect current away

from western edges of continentsfrom western edges of continents

OceanOcean

• surface currents are driven by windsurface currents are driven by wind• Coriolis forces deflect current away Coriolis forces deflect current away

from western edges of continentsfrom western edges of continents• Formation of gyresFormation of gyres

OceanOcean

• surface currents are driven by windsurface currents are driven by wind• Coriolis forces deflect current away from Coriolis forces deflect current away from

western edges of continentswestern edges of continents• Formation of gyresFormation of gyres• 40% of latitudinal heat transfer from 40% of latitudinal heat transfer from

equator to poles occurs through the equator to poles occurs through the oceanocean• surface (warm) currents move towards poles• deep (cold) currents move towards equator

OceanOcean

The Lake EffectThe Lake Effect

If the lake is warm but the air blowing across it is cold:

Water vapor rises from the warm lake, and condenses and forms rain in cold air.

If the lake is cold but the air blowing across it is warm:

Warm, moist air is cooled as it passes over the cold lake, and fog forms.

Latitude: seasons and the earth’s Latitude: seasons and the earth’s tilttilt

ElevationElevation

• Adiabatic coolingAdiabatic cooling • Katabatic windKatabatic wind• pooling of cold air in pooling of cold air in

valleysvalleys10° C

25° C

Air cools as pressure decreases

Also: more rain at higher elevations due to orographic lift!

VegetationVegetation

• Climate determines what plants can Climate determines what plants can survivesurvive

• Vegetation, in turn influences climate Vegetation, in turn influences climate • Surface Energy BudgetSurface Energy Budget

• darker vegetation has lower albedodarker vegetation has lower albedo• decrease from grassland decrease from grassland deciduous forest deciduous forest

• uneven canopies create turbulence in airflowuneven canopies create turbulence in airflow

• WaterWater• high evapotranspiration can lead to high high evapotranspiration can lead to high

precipitationprecipitation

Energy FlowEnergy Flow

• Climate: Climate: • transport of energy through the earth transport of energy through the earth

systemsystem

• Biology:Biology:• controls the transfer of energy within controls the transfer of energy within

and between organismsand between organisms

AnnouncementsAnnouncements• HandoutsHandouts

• Wagener Wagener et al.et al. article article• Questions: written assignment due in Questions: written assignment due in

your section next week (Oct. 7your section next week (Oct. 7thth or 8 or 8thth))• Writing guidelines will help you with the Writing guidelines will help you with the

assignmentassignment• You can get all of these online: You can get all of these online:

www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/www.es.ucsb.edu/classes/envs100/

• Women In Science & Engineering (WISE)Women In Science & Engineering (WISE) • sb_wise@hotmail.comsb_wise@hotmail.com

Summary from Summary from Wednesday…Wednesday…

• Feedback mechanismsFeedback mechanisms• PositivePositive• NegativeNegative

• Energy FlowEnergy Flow• Weather vs. ClimateWeather vs. Climate• The butterfly effect and chaotic The butterfly effect and chaotic

systemssystems• Uneven heating of earth drives climateUneven heating of earth drives climate• M.O.L.E.M.O.L.E.• Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation

Two-minute QuizTwo-minute Quiz(by the way…these “quizzes” are just to test your (by the way…these “quizzes” are just to test your

knowledge)knowledge)

Which one of the following is true?Which one of the following is true?a.a. Chaos and randomness are the same thing.Chaos and randomness are the same thing.b.b. The Coriolis Force is stronger in the The Coriolis Force is stronger in the

Northern Hemisphere than it is in the Northern Hemisphere than it is in the Southern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere.

c.c. A small lake in northern Minnesota will A small lake in northern Minnesota will have a higher albedo in the winter than it have a higher albedo in the winter than it does in the summer. does in the summer.

d.d. The deep ocean conveyor moves water The deep ocean conveyor moves water more quickly than surface currents can. more quickly than surface currents can.

e.e. The climate in a certain region is primarily The climate in a certain region is primarily caused by biotic (rather than abiotic) caused by biotic (rather than abiotic) factors. factors.

CoriolisCoriolis Force Force• Earth spins more quickly at equator than near polesEarth spins more quickly at equator than near poles• Air moving from pole to equator begins to move Air moving from pole to equator begins to move

more slowly more slowly relative to the surface of the earthrelative to the surface of the earth as it as it nears the equatornears the equator

• Anything moving in a straight line along the north- Anything moving in a straight line along the north- south axis will eventually curve south axis will eventually curve

• This causes deflection of air: This causes deflection of air: • to the to the rightright in the Northern Hemisphere in the Northern Hemisphere • to the to the leftleft in the Southern Hemisphere in the Southern Hemisphere

• Ocean water circulates:Ocean water circulates:• clockwiseclockwise in Northern Hemisphere in Northern Hemisphere• counterclockwisecounterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere in the Southern Hemisphere

But what about hurricanes?But what about hurricanes?• Coriolis is only one of the forces acting on air to cause winds

• Air-pressure differences draw air toward the center of the area of low pressure

• This pressure-gradient force is stronger than the Coriolis force

• The combination of the two forces leads The combination of the two forces leads to a counter-clockwise spin of hurricanesto a counter-clockwise spin of hurricanes

Coriolis Force along the Coriolis Force along the coastcoast

• Coriolis forces combined with prevailing winds pull surface water:

• to the to the rightright in the Northern Hemisphere in the Northern Hemisphere • to the to the leftleft in the Southern Hemisphere in the Southern Hemisphere

• Therefore, surface current flows away Therefore, surface current flows away from western edges of continentsfrom western edges of continents

• Cold water rises from below to replace Cold water rises from below to replace itit

Energy FlowEnergy Flow

• Climate: Climate: • transport of energy through the earth transport of energy through the earth

systemsystem

• Biology:Biology:• controls the transfer of energy within controls the transfer of energy within

and between organismsand between organisms

Plant allocation

Where does the energy go?

• roots

• stems

• leaves

• flowers

• fruits

• seeds

Animal allocationAnimal allocation

• GrowthGrowth• RespirationRespiration• Heat productionHeat production

• endothermsendotherms• ectothermsectotherms

• BehaviorBehavior• hunting or hunting or

gatheringgathering• reproductionreproduction• other activitiesother activities

Energy flow through endotherms

Energy flow through ectotherms

What limits how much energy is available in a kelp forest food web?

What controls primary What controls primary productivity?productivity?

• LightLight• Temperature Temperature

What controls primary What controls primary productivity?productivity?

• LightLight• Temperature Temperature • NutrientsNutrients

• Nitrogen Nitrogen proteins, nucleic acids proteins, nucleic acids• Phosphorus Phosphorus nucleic acids, ATP nucleic acids, ATP• OthersOthers

• Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, MolybdenumMolybdenum

What controls primary What controls primary productivity?productivity?

• LightLight• Temperature Temperature • NutrientsNutrients

• Nitrogen Nitrogen proteins, nucleic acids proteins, nucleic acids• Phosphorus Phosphorus nucleic acids, ATP nucleic acids, ATP• OthersOthers

• Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, MolybdenumMolybdenum