Ecology and Ecological Health

• Ecology Defined• Biochemical Cycles: The Carbon Cycle• Energy Flow Through a Community or Ecosystem• Symbiotic Relationships• Ecological Succession• Environmental Problems and Issues

– Deforestation– Eutrophication– Water pollution– Biomagnification– Air pollution– Atmospheric Problems

• Acid Rain• Ozone Depletion• Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

– Renewable Energy Sources– Biodiversity Loss– Human Population Density

• What We Can Do

Ecology = Study of the interaction of living and non-living things

Abiotic (non-living factors)

Biotic (living) factors

Sun

Food Chain

Pyramid of energy

Quaternary consumer- carnivore

Tertiary consumer –carnivore

Secondary consumer-carnivore

Primary consumer-herbivore

Primary producer

(autotroph)

Less biomass,

fewer organisms

Tertiary consumer

Quaternary consumer

The more biodiversity, the more complex the food web andthe more stable the community is.

Symbiotic Relationships

Flea sucking blood from a dog

Lamprey eels attached to fish

Barnacles on a whale

Clown fish among sea anemone tentacles

Mycorrhizal fungi on pine seedling roots

Ants living on an acacia tree

Parasitism

One party benefits One

party is harmed

Commensalism

One party benefits One party

is unaffected

MutualismBoth parties

benefit

Ecological Succession

Primary succession: progressive replacement of communities starting with bare rock (no soil); e.g after a glacier recedes

Secondary succession: replacement of communities starting with soil but no vegetation (e.g. after forest fire, bulldozing)

Deforestation

Human Impact and Global Concerns

• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems

– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do

EutrophicationFertilizer run-off stimulates plant growth,

decomposition, and loss of oxygen

Sewage Treatment Encourages Eutrophication in a Controlled Setting to Reduce Nitrates and

Phosphates

Human Impact and Global Concerns

• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems

– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do

Biomagnification of Pollutant Concentrations

Pollutants are toxic in high concentrations per gram of tissue

Human Impact and Global Concerns

• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste

• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems

– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do

Acid Rain

Damaging Effects of UV Light fromChlorofluorocarbon Destruction of Ozone

Ozone Depletion

Carbon Dioxide and World AverageTemperature Increases

The Greenhouse Effect of Carbon Dioxide

Biggest contributor to atmospheric

CO2

Human Impact and Global Concerns

• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems

– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do

Need for Renewable, Non-Fossil Fuel Sources of Energy

Loss of Biodiversity Makes Ecosystems More Fragile

Increasing likelihood of catastrophic failure of ecosystem

Loss of habitat, introduction of alien species

Population Density: The Major Factor in Environmental Impact

The US “Lower 48” scaled on population density

The US “Lower 48” land mass

Human Impact and Global Concerns

• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems

– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming

• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do

Managing Solid Waste

1.

2

3.

Precycling

Limiting what and how much you buy based on packaging

Basic Steps Towards Environmental Stewardship

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle2. Precycle, exercise product choice3. Use ecologically sensitive

transportation (reduce CO2, oil, antifreeze releases)

4. Reduce chemical use (solvents, paints, pesticides, herbicides)

5. Eat lower on the food chain6. Advocate sustainable and renewable

practices7. Get involved in community habitat

restoration (e.g. www.hylebos.org)

Environmental Stewardship: Getting Involved