WarmupDescribe how the nitrogen and carbon cycles are out of equilibrium. Create a diagram to go with your description.

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK, BIOMES,

ORGANIZATION

JANUARY 25, 2011

Predator-Prey RelationshipsThe limiting factor for prey is often how long they are able to survive without being eaten.

The limiting factor for predators is often how much food they can get, i.e. how often they can find and kill prey.

The predator-prey relationship limits the size of both species in a negative feedback cycle.

Predator Prey Relationships

1) If prey ↑2) Then predators ↑3) Then prey ↓

1) If prey ↓2) Then predators ↓3) Then prey ↑

1) If predators ↑2) Then prey ↓3) Then predators ↓

1) If predators ↑2) Then prey ↓3) Then predators ↓

Negative Feedback SystemsA negative feedback system is where the status of the system is pushed in the opposite direction it has moved, always back towards the middle.

This self-balances and achieves equilibrium.

Ex:Your HVAC system (heating ventilation air conditioning).

Your motivation to do things.

Your nervous and endocrine systems.

A predator-prey relationship.

Prominent Biome TypesMountainsDesertSavannahGrasslandTundraTropical Dry ForestTropical RainforestTemperate ForestsSub-Arctic Forests (Taiga)Deep SeaShallow SeaEstuary/Littoral Zone

http://library.thinkquest.org/11353/ecosystems.htm

Mountains

Trees don’t grow above the tree-line where the air is too thin (13,500 ft in some cases).

Tundra

Frozen over for large portions of the year. Seasonal wildflowers reproduce quickly when growing conditions are good.

Desert

Grassland

Cooler than a savanna, warmer than a tundra.

SavannaKnown for some of the largest herds of herbivores.

Temperate Forests

Temperate forests have adapted to seasonal climates by having broad leaves in the summer but losing leaves so as not to break branches in the winter.

Most plants can switch between two different forms of photosynthesis depending on the temperature of their habitat. Temperate trees and tropical trees

Tropical Dry Forests

Tropical Rainforests

Best capture of sunlight and lots of rain. Carbon and nitrogen are cycled quickly and are not stored well in the soil. Highest diversity and most complex food web.

Sub-Arctic Forests (Taiga)

Pine trees grow very skinny where places with large amounts of snow could break branches. Trees which lose their leaves during winter have a harder time competing in locations with shorter growing seasons.

Deep Sea

Sunlight is unavailable. There are no producers, so the ecosystem is built off of decomposers who eat materials that fall from above.

Shallow Sea

Good amount of sunlight allows cyanobacteria, algae, kelp, and seaweed to support a large energy pyramid.

Estuary/Littoral Zone

Estuaries have a mix of fresh and salt water species.

Tidal/Littoral Zones have lots of light, animals which can retain moisture during part of the day, and are subject to predation by birds.

OrganizationIndividuals Single organisms

Populations A group of one species

Communities A symbiotic group

Biomes/Ecosystems All species, same location

Biosphere The biologically active part of Earth

Categorize these: 1) Earth, Zebra, Savanna, Zebras, Giraffe2) Mike, Spot (dog), suburban, Earth, Rocklin