Ecology Unit
Definition of Ecology
Ecology- the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environments.
Fundamental of Ecology
Biotic factors- all living organisms in an environment.
Abiotic factors- nonliving parts of the environment (i.e. temperature, soil, light, water, soil composition)
Organism- An individual exhibiting all of the characteristics of life.
Species- organisms that interbreed and compete with each other for resources (ex. food, mates, shelter)
Organization
Population-a group of organisms living in the same place at the same time
Organization
Community- several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment.
Organization
Ecosystem- a community and the abiotic factors with which they interact (ex. marine, terrestrial)
Organization
Niche - the role a species plays in a community (job)
Habitat- the place in which an organism lives out its life (address)
Organization
Biosphere- life supporting portions of Earth. They can be big (ocean) or small (fish tank).
Biome- Geographic areas of Earth with like characteristics.
Ex.Tundra Rain Forest
Organization
Autotrophic- Producers that trap energy.
•Photosynthesis- Traps energy form sunlight
•Chemosynthesis- Traps energy from chemical reactions.– Black smokers… Hydrogen Sulfidesmokers… Hydrogen Sulfide
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Heterotrophic- Consumers that consume other organisms for energy
Respiration- the release of energy from a energy source.
•Herbivores… Eats plants
•Carnivores… Eats meat
•Omnivores… Eats plants and meat
•Decomposers… Breakdown dead and decaying organisms so the can be absorbed•Scavenger… Eats dead organisms
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Photosynthesis / Respiration Equation:6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy C6H12O6 + 6O2
Food chain- simple model that shows how matter and energy move through an ecosystem
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Food web- shows all possible feeding relationships in a community at each trophic level
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Ecological Food Pyramid- shows the transfer of energy and biomass between trophic levels. Only 10% transferred!!!
100%
10%
1%
.1%
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Trophic level- link in a food chain or web.– represent a feeding step in the transfer of energy and
matter in an ecosystem.
Biomass- the amount of organic matter comprising a group of organisms in a habitat.
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Matter- Anything that takes up space… Everything.
Energy- the ability to do work.
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Cycling maintains homeostasis (balance) in the environment.•4 cycles to investigate:
1. Water cycle
2. Carbon cycle
3. Nitrogen cycle
4. Phosphorus cycle
Nutrition & Energy Flow
Biogeochemical Cycles
Water cycle-•Key processes•Evaporation, condensation, precipitation
•Other processes•Transpiration
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical Cycles
Carbon cycle-•Key processes•Photosynthesis and respiration
•Other processes•Combustion of fuels
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles
Nitrogen cycle- •Key processes•Nitrogen fixation, plants growing, animals growing, decomposing, and denitrification.
•Other processes•Plant and animal waste and the rock cycle.•Nitrogen fixation- convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium (NH4+) which can be used to make organic compounds like amino acids. N2 NH4+
Biogeochemical Cycles
Phosphorus cycle-
Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles
Phosphorus cycle—
•Key processes–Plant growth, animals eating, decomposing
•Other processes–Plant and animal waste and the rock cycle.
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical CyclesGreenhouse Gas
NameWhere they come
from?Abundance in atmosphere
Cycle in which they move
Heat trapping capacity
Water Vapor (H2O)
Naturally occurring form evaporation
3 pph Varies w/ temperature
Water Cycle 90% of Earth's natural greenhouse
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Respiration / Burning Fuels
370 ppm Carbon Cycle 60% enhancement of greenhouse effect
Nitrous Oxide(N2O)
Decomposing Bacteria / Automobile exhaust
314 ppb Nitrogen Cycle 4 -6% enhancement of greenhouse effect
Ozone (O3) Natural occurring in upper atmosphere
34 ppb Oxygen Cycle
Methane (CH4) Decomposing Bacteria / Livestock
1750 ppb Carbon Cycle 20% enhancement of greenhouse effect
Fluorocarbons (CFC)
Refrigerants 533 ppt Carbon Cycle 12% enhancement of greenhouse effect
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical Cycles
Biogeochemical Cycles
Population
ECOSYSTEM LEVELEucalyptus forest
COMMUNITY LEVELAll organisms ineucalyptus forest
POPULATION LEVELGroup of flying foxes
ORGANISM LEVELFlying fox
ORGAN SYSTEM LEVELNervous system
ORGAN LEVELBrain
BrainSpinal cord
Nerve
TISSUE LEVELNervous
tissue
CELLULAR LEVELNerve cell
MOLECULAR LEVELMolecule of DNA
Figure 1.1
Population Growth
• King’s chess game
• Types of growth• J-Curve- an graph line shape that
shows exponential growth.• Exponential growth- growth that
occurs when some quantity regularly increases by a fixed percentage
Population Growth
Real examples of exponential growth
Invasive species, which often become pest species, also show this pattern. When a new species is introduced accidentally or deliberately into a new environment it has no natural predators or diseases to keep it under control.
Zebra Mussels
Population Growth
Real examples of exponential growth
European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), a bird, was introduced into the United States. Between 1890 and 1891, 160 of these birds were released in Central Park New York. By 1942 they had spread as far as California. An estimate population of between 140 and 200 million starlings now exist in North America, making it one of the commonest species of bird on Earth.
European Starling
Population Growth
• King’s chess game
• Types of growth• S-Curve- an graph line shape that
shows growth until a limit is reached.
Population GrowthCarrying Capacity
Exponential growth phase
Lag time
•The history of human population growth
Figure 35.8A
Population Growth
Figure 35.9B
RAPID GROWTH
Kenya
Male Female
Percent of population Percent of population Percent of population
SLOW GROWTH
United States
Male Female
ZERO GROWTH/DECREASE
Italy
Male Female
Ages 45+
Ages 15–44
Under15
Under15
Ages 45+
Ages 15–44
Also reveals social conditions, status of women
•The age structure of a population is the proportion of individuals in different age-groups
Population Growth
•What next?
Figure 35.8C
Population Growth
U.S.
China
India
Russia
Japan
U.S.
China
India
Russia
Japan
Per capita CO2 emissions(metric tons of carbon)
Total CO2 emissions(billion metric tons of carbon)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 0.5 1 1.5
5.48
0.75
2.65
2.51
0.29
1.49
0.91
0.39
0.32
0.28
Population GrowthPopulation Growth
• King’s chess game
• Measuring population• Census- count all the individuals in a population• Sampling• Catch & Release- practice intended as a
technique of conservation then counting organisms.
• Organisms in an area- counting the number of organisms in a small area and multiplying that count for to find a larger area.
Population Growth
Patterns in population- dispersion patterns of individuals in their habitat.
– Clumped – Organisms found in groups– Uniform- Organisms found evenly distributed– Random- Organisms without a pattern
Population Growth
Effects population growth•Limiting factor- any material an organism needs to survive but is in short supply– Density dependent- affect populations more
as the population size and density increases
Population Growth
Competition- Competitive exclusion principle -No two species can occupy the same niche in the same habitat at the same time
•Invasive species- Interspecific competition occurs between two species for similar resources
•Reproductive strategies- Intraspecific competition occurs within a species for similar resources
Population Growth
– Carrying capacity- The largest # of individuals an environment can support indefinitely•Food, water, & shelter- availability of
resources carrying capacity depends on .
Population Growth
Natural balance- Births approximately equal deaths
•Disease- Disease spred eaisier in dense populations (eg. Flu, HIV, ect.)
•Dependence- population changes the occur because of other populations change. (Eg. Food web)
Population Growth
Effects population growth•Density Independent- Factors which affect all populations, regardless of size– Ranges of tolerance- a population’s optimal
range of abitoic factors populations •Storms•Drought•Pollution
Population Growth
Relationships
• Predator & Prey- prime movers of energy through food chains.
• Producer & Consumer- prime movers of energy through food chains.
Symbiosis- two species living in a close relationship togetherMutualism- beneficial to both species. The species have a interdependence
Ex. cleaning birds and cleaner shrimp
Relationships
Mutualism- beneficial to both species
Ex. Lichen (fungi & algae)
Relationships
Commensalism- one species benefits and the other is neither harmed nor helped
Ex. orchids on a tree
Epiphytes: A plant, such as a tropical orchid or a bromeliad, that grows on another plant upon which it depends for mechanical support but not for nutrients. Also called aerophyte, air plant.
Relationships
Parasitism- one species benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host)
Ex. lampreys, leeches, fleas,ticks,tapeworm
Relationships
Type of relationship
Species harmed
Species benefits
Species neutral
Commensalism
Parasitism
Mutualism
= 1 species
Figure 2.10x
Succession- Gradual, sequential changes in populations
Primary succession- changes inpopulations in an area that has notpreviously supported life.
Ex. Bare rock, sand dune, volcanic islands.
Succession
Succession
The varying types of communities that exist throughout the succession process.
Pioneer communities- 1st population to grow in an area- lichen or moss
Seral communities- intermediate populations. Grasses, shrubs, flowering plants.
Climax communities- (stable/permanent) population that remains unless wiped out by a natural disaster.
Succession
Secondary succession- replacement ofpopulations in disrupted habitats.
EX: Forest fire, volcanic activity,farming, logging, mining
Succession
Eutrophication- adding nutrients/ stuff to the water.
Succession
Possible causes?...Industry, Shipping, Fertilizers, Power plant- thermal pollution (heat)actions
Succession
Succession
Oligotrophic (few nutrients)1. Deep, clear, cold2. High oxygen content3. Low biomass, low productivity and low
nutrients4. pH 8.55. Trout, whitefish6. Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, northern
3rd of Lower Peninsula
Succession
Mesotrophic (transition between Oligotrophic and Eutrophic)
1. Moderately clear2. DO- less than oligotrophic, more than
eutrophic.3. Medium amount of biomass, productivity
and nutrients4. pH 8.05. Lake Michigan
Succession
Eutrophic (rich nutrient content)1. Often more shallow2. Low DO at lower depths3. High biomass, productivity and nutrients4. pH 7.55. salmon, perch, bass6. Lake Mac, Green Bay, used to be Lake Erie
Succession
Dystrophic (poor in nutrients)1. Much more shallow, much color to the water
(yellowish, brown)2. pH less than 4 (input of organic acids)3. Little/no oxygen4. Low biomass, productivity, nutrients5. Few gill breathers, frogs, snakes, and turtles6. Small lakes, bogs, swamps
Succession
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4844687588840076520#
Detrimental (inadvertently)- Not intentional Bad actions.
Biocides- chemical compounds that are toxic to living organisms. Side effects to humans include: Carcinogenic (cancer causing) & Nerve and Liver damage.
Pesticides- a substance intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.
Human Impact
Insecticides- pesticide used against insectsDioxins
Sources- formed by burning chlorine-based chemical compounds, paper mills in bleaching process, PVC plasticsEffect- Carcinogen…causes cancer
Human Impact
DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane)Source- Insecticide used very effectively against mosquitoes, which cause malariaEffect- Builds up in plants and fatty tissue in fish, birds and other animals…Blamed for the near extinction of eagles, falcons and pelicans…egg shell thinning •Banned in the US in 1972…Still used in other countries
Biomagnifications– A chemical becomes concentrated as it
passes through a food chain
Human Impact
Herbicides- pesticide used to kill unwanted plants
Agent OrangeSource- Widely used in Vietnam as a defoliantEffect- Caused cancer, birth defects, sterility
24DSource- common herbicideEffect- Causes lymphoma (cancer) in dogs
Human Impact
Fossil Fuels- natural fuels formed by the decomposition of buried dead organisms
Examples include Coal, Oil, & Gas.
SOURCESNO2 + H2O à HNO3
(process occurs when burning gas)
SO2 + H2O à H2SO4
(process occurs when burning coal)
EFFECTSRespiratory problems, Sterile lakes, Kills forests, Damage to monuments, cars, buildings, Global warming, Acid rain
Human Impact
Hg (mercury)- heavy, liquid, silvery-white metal
SOURCESPaper mills to treat logs, Agriculture to treat seeds, Occurs naturally in mines, Acid rain releases it naturally from sedimentary rock, & Latex paint
EFFECTSMercury exposure at high levels can harm the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system of people of all ages. Our inland fish are unsafe to eat due to high levels of Hg
Human Impact
Pb (Lead)- heavy, soft, malleable poor metal
SOURCESWater pipes, Gasoline, Paints, Batteries, Ceramic pottery, Soldering
EFFECTSHyperactivity , Paralysis, Brain damage, Birth defects, High BP
Human Impact
PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyls)
SOURCESInsulators for electrical transformers, Sealants for wood and cement, Hydraulic fluids, Paper mills for carbon paper, pigments & dyes, paints, plastics and rubber products
EFFECTSCarcinogen, effects on the immune system, reproductive system, endocrine system and nervous system
Human Impact
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)
SOURCESAerosol-spray propellants, refrigerants, Solvents, Styrofoam (pre, CFC-free styrofoam), foam-blowing agents
EFFECTSDestruction of the ozone layer which protects us from UV rays from the sun
Human Impact
PBB (Polybrominated Biphenyls)
SOURCESAdded to the plastics to make them difficult to burn. Exposure
to PBBs is most likely to occur by ingesting contaminated foods and drinks.
People living in the lower peninsula of Michigan, where animal feed was accidentally contaminated with PBBs in 1973, may still be exposed by eating contaminated fish, dairy products, and meat.
EFFECTSCarcinogen, More will be observed in the movie Bitter Harvest
Human Impact
The movie Bitter Harvest …PBB contamination resulted in the most devastating disaster in agricultural history
In 1973 in St. Louis, MIThe government did not eliminate PBB from the food chain until 1977Farmers sold cows to an area baby food companyFiremater (flamestar) vs. Nutrimaster (MgO)All livestock had to be killed
30,000 cattle 1,470 sheep 5,900 pigs 1.5 million chickens
Human Impact
NO3 and PO4 (nitrates & phosphates)
SOURCESSoil … background concentrationsFertilizers … agricultural & residentialSewage … wastewater treatment plants remove 90-95% of P & N in solids, and the sludge is then land applied as fertilizer
EFFECTSEutrophication, Algae blooms, Decreasing light and O2 levels in lakes.
Human Impact
Beneficial (deliberately)- Intentionally good actions.
Conservation actions- activities meant to preserve the natural world.
Link to organizations:http://animals.about.com/od/wildlifeconservation/tp/wildlifeconserv.htm
Human Impact
Habitat corridors- a passage connecting conservation areas.
Human Impact
Biodiversity- the sum total of the genetically based variety of all organisms in an area.
Human Impact