Chapter 2: Chapter 2:

Principles in Principles in EcologyEcology

2-1: What is ecology 2-1: What is ecology WARM WARM UPUP

1.1. What living things are found What living things are found in and around your school?in and around your school?

2. What nonliving things are 2. What nonliving things are found in your school?found in your school?

3. Into what large groups are 3. Into what large groups are the students in your school the students in your school divided?divided?

4. Into what smaller groups are 4. Into what smaller groups are these large groups divided?these large groups divided?

5. Are these groups ever 5. Are these groups ever divided into even smaller divided into even smaller groups? If so, what are groups? If so, what are these groups?these groups?

An ecosystem is a An ecosystem is a collection of all the collection of all the organisms that live in a organisms that live in a particular place, together particular place, together with their nonliving, or with their nonliving, or physical, environment. physical, environment. Within an ecosystem, there Within an ecosystem, there are several levels of are several levels of organization. Your school organization. Your school and its grounds are similar and its grounds are similar to an ecosystem.to an ecosystem.

EQ #1:What is Ecology?EQ #1:What is Ecology?

A.A. Interactions and Interactions and InterdependenceInterdependence

B.B. Levels of OrganizationLevels of Organization

C.C. Ecological MethodsEcological Methods

1.1. ObservingObserving

2.2. ExperimentingExperimenting

3.3. ModelingModeling

EcologyEcology = The = The scientific scientific study of study of interactions among interactions among organisms and organisms and between organisms between organisms and their and their environmentenvironment, or , or surroundings.surroundings.

EQ #2: How are the different EQ #2: How are the different levels of organizationlevels of organization of life of life

related?related?• Species (individual)Species (individual) = can breed and produce fertile offspring = can breed and produce fertile offspring

• PopulationPopulation = groups of individuals that belong to the same = groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.species and live in the same area.

• CommunityCommunity = different populations that live together in a = different populations that live together in a defined area.defined area.

• EcosystemEcosystem = a collection of all the organisms that live in a = a collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, particular place, together with their nonliving, or physical, environment.environment.

• BiomeBiome = A group of ecosystems that have the same climate = A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities.and dominant communities.

• BiosphereBiosphere = Contains the combined portions of the planet in = Contains the combined portions of the planet in which all of life exists, including land, water, and air or which all of life exists, including land, water, and air or atmosphereatmosphere..

EQ#3: What types of ecological EQ#3: What types of ecological Methods do ecologists use to study the Methods do ecologists use to study the

living world?living world?

ObservingObserving

ExperimentingExperimenting

ModelingModeling

All of these All of these methods rely on methods rely on the application of the application of scientific methods scientific methods to guide ecological to guide ecological inquiry.inquiry.

Check for UnderstandingCheck for Understanding

1.1. List the six different levels of List the six different levels of organization that ecologists study, in organization that ecologists study, in order from smallest to largest.order from smallest to largest.

2.2. Describe the three basic methods of Describe the three basic methods of ecological research.ecological research.

3.3. Identify two ways in which you interact Identify two ways in which you interact with each of the three parts of the with each of the three parts of the biosphere every day: land, water, and biosphere every day: land, water, and air.air.

2-2 : Energy Flow 2-2 : Energy Flow WARM WARM UPUP

Energy flows in one Energy flows in one direction through an direction through an ecosystem, from the sun or ecosystem, from the sun or inorganic compounds to inorganic compounds to producers (organisms that producers (organisms that can make their own food) can make their own food) through various levels to through various levels to consumers (organisms that consumers (organisms that rely on other organisms for rely on other organisms for food). Your body gets the food). Your body gets the energy and materials it energy and materials it needs for growth and needs for growth and repair from the foods you repair from the foods you eat. eat.

Make a list of five foods that Make a list of five foods that you like to eat. Indicate you like to eat. Indicate whether the food comes from whether the food comes from a plant (producer) or an a plant (producer) or an animal (consumer). animal (consumer).

Like many birds, chickens eat Like many birds, chickens eat grains, which are seeds. grains, which are seeds. Where do seeds come from?Where do seeds come from?

Meat comes from beef cattle. Meat comes from beef cattle. What do cattle eat?What do cattle eat?

Construct a diagram showing Construct a diagram showing how one of your favorite foods how one of your favorite foods obtains its energy. Include as obtains its energy. Include as many levels as you can.many levels as you can.

EQ #4: How does energy EQ #4: How does energy flow through the flow through the

biosphere?biosphere?

Sunlight is the main energy Sunlight is the main energy source for life on Earth.source for life on Earth.

Some types of organisms rely Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in on the energy stored in inorganic chemical inorganic chemical compoundscompounds

Energy Flow Through the Energy Flow Through the BiosphereBiosphere

AutotrophsAutotrophs = Use energy from the = Use energy from the environment to make their own food. environment to make their own food. ((ProducersProducers)) Ex: plants, some algae and some bacteria.Ex: plants, some algae and some bacteria.

Photosynthesis = Adds oxygen to the Photosynthesis = Adds oxygen to the environment and remove carbon dioxide. environment and remove carbon dioxide. Glucose is also produced.Glucose is also produced.

ChemosynthesisChemosynthesis = when organisms use = when organisms use chemical energy to produce chemical energy to produce carbohydrates.carbohydrates.

ConsumersConsumers

Organisms that rely on other Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food organisms for their energy and food supply supply

Heterotrophs (consumers)Heterotrophs (consumers)

Consumers:Consumers:

HerbivoresHerbivores = eat only plants = eat only plants

CarnivoresCarnivores = eat animals = eat animals

OmnivoresOmnivores = eat both plants and animals = eat both plants and animals

DetritivoresDetritivores = eat plant and animal = eat plant and animal remains and other dead matter (detritus)remains and other dead matter (detritus)

DecomposersDecomposers = breaks down organic = breaks down organic mattermatter

EQ #5: What happens to the energy in an EQ #5: What happens to the energy in an ecosystem when one organisms eats another?ecosystem when one organisms eats another?

Energy flows through an Energy flows through an ecosystem in ecosystem in one one direction direction

Sun or inorganic compounds Sun or inorganic compounds producers producers consumers consumers

Food chainsFood chains = show one- = show one-way flow of energyway flow of energy

Food websFood webs = links food = links food chainschains

Trophic levelsTrophic levels = steps in = steps in food chains or food webs.food chains or food webs.

Energy Energy PyramidsPyramids step = step = trophic level.trophic level.

Show energy movement Show energy movement through the environment.through the environment.

Only 10%Only 10% available to next available to next levellevel

Energy decreases as you go up the pyramid

Draw this pyramidDraw this pyramid

(Herbivore)

(Carnivore)

(Omnivore)

(Autotroph)

Heterotroph

Pyramid of NumbersShows the relativenumber of individualorganisms at eachtrophic level.

Biomass PyramidRepresents the amount ofliving organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, thegreatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid.

Energy PyramidShows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms use about 10 percent of this energy for life processes. The rest is lost as heat.

Figure 54.13 A pyramid of numbersFigure 54.13 A pyramid of numbers

Why does the number of organisms decrease as you go up the pyramid?

Figure 54.14 Food energy available to the human population at different trophic Figure 54.14 Food energy available to the human population at different trophic levelslevels

Why must humans consume more food?

Check for Check for Understanding:Understanding:

What are the two main forms of energy that What are the two main forms of energy that power living systems?power living systems?

Briefly describe the flow of energy among Briefly describe the flow of energy among organisms in an ecosystemorganisms in an ecosystem

What proportion of energy is transferred What proportion of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next in an from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem?ecosystem?

FOOD WEB PRESENTATIONFOOD WEB PRESENTATION 25 25 PtsPts

5 pts.5 pts. The food web The food web must contain at least must contain at least five food chains five food chains consisting of a consisting of a producer, a primary producer, a primary consumer, and a consumer, and a secondary consumer. secondary consumer.

5 pts.5 pts. Each consumer Each consumer must be labeled as an must be labeled as an herbivore, carnivore, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, or omnivore, or decomposer. decomposer.

5 pts.5 pts. At least one At least one predator-prep predator-prep relationship must be relationship must be shown. shown.

5 pts.5 pts. Five abiotic Five abiotic factors (non-living) also factors (non-living) also must be included and must be included and labeled. labeled.

5 pts.5 pts. You will need to You will need to explain your poster to explain your poster to the class in oral the class in oral presentations.presentations.

2-3 Cycles of Matter:2-3 Cycles of Matter:

EQ: How does matter cycle among the EQ: How does matter cycle among the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem?living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem?

EQ: What would happen to a living system EQ: What would happen to a living system that was nutrient deficient?that was nutrient deficient?

How does the availability of nutrients affect How does the availability of nutrients affect the productivity of ecosystems?the productivity of ecosystems?

It’s Raining, It’s PouringIt’s Raining, It’s Pouring

How many times have How many times have you had to change your you had to change your plans because of rain? It plans because of rain? It probably didn’t help if probably didn’t help if someone tried to cheer someone tried to cheer you up by saying, “But you up by saying, “But we really need the rain.” we really need the rain.”

However, rain is However, rain is important. If it didn’t important. If it didn’t rain, how would living rain, how would living things on land get things on land get water?water?

When rain falls on the ground, it When rain falls on the ground, it either soaks into the soil or runs either soaks into the soil or runs across the surface of the soil. When across the surface of the soil. When rainwater runs across the land, what rainwater runs across the land, what body of water might collect the body of water might collect the rain?rain?

From here, where might the water From here, where might the water flow?flow?

After the rain, the sun comes out After the rain, the sun comes out and the land dries. Where does the and the land dries. Where does the water that had been on the land go?water that had been on the land go?

Construct a diagram that would Construct a diagram that would illustrate all the places a molecule illustrate all the places a molecule of water might go. Begin with a of water might go. Begin with a raindrop and end with a cloud.raindrop and end with a cloud.

Recycling in the Recycling in the Biosphere:Biosphere:

Unlike the one-way flow of energy, Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.between ecosystems.

Biological systems do not use up Biological systems do not use up matter, but transform it.matter, but transform it.

Nutrient Cycles:Nutrient Cycles: Organic Nutrients- CHNOPOrganic Nutrients- CHNOP Every living organism Every living organism

needs nutrients to build needs nutrients to build tissues and carry out tissues and carry out essential life functions. essential life functions.

Like water, nutrients are Like water, nutrients are passed between organisms passed between organisms and the environment and the environment through through biochemical biochemical cyclescycles..

Video clip-Video clip-http://http://www.unitedstreaming.comwww.unitedstreaming.com

Water CycleWater Cycle Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus Phosphorus CycleCycle

Condensation

Seepage

Runoff

Precipitation

TranspirationEvaporation

RootUptake

The Water Cycle

Go to Section:

All living things requirewater to survive. Wheredoes it all come from?

It moves between the ocean,atmosphere, and land.

This figure shows how water molecules can change forms and beused through evaporation (change from liquid to gas) and transpiration(by evaporating from the leaves of plants).

The Carbon Cycle:The Carbon Cycle:

Biological processes, Biological processes, such as photosynthesis, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and respiration, and decomposition of plants decomposition of plants and animaland animal

Geochemical processes, Geochemical processes, such as the release of such as the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) carbon dioxide (CO2) gas to the atmosphere gas to the atmosphere by volcanoesby volcanoes

Mixed biogeochemical Mixed biogeochemical processes, such as the processes, such as the burial of carbon-rich burial of carbon-rich remains of organisms remains of organisms and their conversion and their conversion into coal and into coal and petroleum (fossil fuels) petroleum (fossil fuels) by the pressure of the by the pressure of the overlying earthoverlying earth

Human activity, Human activity, including mining, the including mining, the burning of fossil fuels, burning of fossil fuels, and the cutting and and the cutting and burning of forests.burning of forests.

CO2 inAtmosphere

CO2 in Ocean

The Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Is driven primarily by the activities of unicellular organisms in the soil and oceans.

1. Nitrogen is in the atmosphere all the time.2. Bacteria change the nitrogen gas into nitrates (ammonium), which

is a kind of natural fertilizer taken in by the roots of plants and trees and used to build plant protein. This process of change is called nitrogen fixation.

3. Animals then eat the plants with protein in them4. Animal and plant waste then releases protein into the soil through

decomposition.5. Finally, more kinds of bacteria break down plant protein to a form

that releases nitrogen back into the atmosphere. This process is called denitrification

N2 in Atmosphere

NH3

NO3-

and NO2-

The Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is essential to living organisms Phosphorus is essential to living organisms because it forms part of important life-because it forms part of important life-sustaining molecules such as DNA and sustaining molecules such as DNA and RNA. RNA.

Phosphorus does not enter the atmosphere Phosphorus does not enter the atmosphere like oxygen, carbon and nitrogen like oxygen, carbon and nitrogen

phosphorus remains mostly on land in rock phosphorus remains mostly on land in rock and soil minerals, and in ocean sediments and soil minerals, and in ocean sediments

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

When plants absorb When plants absorb phosphate from the soil phosphate from the soil or from water, the or from water, the plants bind the plants bind the phosphate into organic phosphate into organic compounds.compounds.

Organic phosphate Organic phosphate moves through the food moves through the food web, from producers to web, from producers to consumers, and to the consumers, and to the rest of the ecosystem. rest of the ecosystem.

Nutrient LimitationNutrient Limitation

Primary productivity – rate at which Primary productivity – rate at which organic matter is created by organic matter is created by producersproducers

Controlled by the amount of available Controlled by the amount of available nutrientsnutrients

Limiting nutrient – when an ecosystem is Limiting nutrient – when an ecosystem is limited by a single nutrient that is scarce limited by a single nutrient that is scarce or cycles very slowly.or cycles very slowly.

Checkpoint!!!!Checkpoint!!!!

1. How does the way tat matter flows through 1. How does the way tat matter flows through an ecosystem differ from the way that energy an ecosystem differ from the way that energy flows?flows?

2. Why do living organisms need nutrients?2. Why do living organisms need nutrients?

3. Describe the path of nitrogen through its 3. Describe the path of nitrogen through its biogeochemical cycle.biogeochemical cycle.

4. Explain how a nutrient can be a limiting 4. Explain how a nutrient can be a limiting factor in an ecosystem.factor in an ecosystem.