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Levels of biological organization. Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Individuals Populations Communities Ecosystems. the scope of ecology. Organisms interact with the environment. Features of the environment affect species distribution and abundance.
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Levels of biological organization Molecules Cells Tissues Organs Systems Individuals Populations Communities Ecosystems the scope of ecology
Organisms interact with the environment Features of the environment affect species distribution and abundance. - requirements for survival and reproduction - challenges to survival and reproduction
Organisms interact with the environment Environment = Biotic + Abiotic • physical requirements • physical challenges What are some things that organisms need or that may present challenges?
Organisms interact with the environment Important abiotic factors - temperature - light - water - salinity - pH - wind/turbulence - nutrients
physical environment species distributions What determines climate? Angle of the earth Global temperature differences influence rainfall, ocean currents, wind - intensity of sunlight - day length
Variation in temperature, light, moisture:a matter of scale Macroclimate – global and regional patterns; depends on latitude, altitude, habitat type Microclimate – local scale; vegetation, rocks, burrows, slope create shade and protect from wind
temperature • some species are more or less tolerant survival survival temperature Every species has an optimal temperature • different species have different optima
Optimal temperature for lizard sprinting morph a morph b sprint speed (m / sec) (Huey, R. B. and J. G. Kingsolver, 1993) lizard body temperature (oC) 1. What is the trait that differs between morphs? a. body temperature b. sprint speed c. temperature at which maximum speed is attained 2. In what kind of environment would natural selection favor individuals of morph a over those of morph b?
Thermal optima are adapted to temperature I’m outta here!! temperature at which izard runs fastest (oC) mean temperature in lizard’s habitat (oC)
Problems at low temperatures slower rate of cellular processes lower physiological activity for ectotherms body temp tracks temperature of environment endotherms expend energy to stay warm use metabolic heat to regulate body temp cells can’t usually tolerate freezing
Ectotherms grow slowly at cold temperatures Green frog tadpoles (Berven et al. 1979) tadpole size lowland montane temperature What limits the distribution of this frog?
& substrate enzyme high temperature Problems at high temperatures protein stability moderate temperature loss of water to stay cool evaporative cooling
Coping with extreme temperatures behavior: • choice of microclimate - migration
Coping with extreme temperatures escape in time: • dormancy spores, seeds, cysts can often survive freezing or fire • hibernation, torpor endotherms reduce metabolism to conserve energy
Coping with extreme temperatures structures: • fur, feathers, fat • coloration reflect or absorb light • surface area : volume Everything Alaska Phillip Greenspun Lake Superior Zoo
lichen (Cladina stellaris ) optimal temperature for photosynthesis fall summer Coping with extreme temperatures acclimation: physiological adjustment leads to tolerance
Abiotic factors that can affect organisms • temperature • light • moisture • wind • nutrients • salinity • pH
Conserving water • physiological adaptations: • nasal passages and kidneys • of kangaroo rats • CAM plants close stomata • during the daytime
Conserving water • protective coverings: • waxy coatings on leaves • waterproof skin • eggshells
many marine fish are hypoosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl- Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water drink seawater and excrete salt
freshwater fish are hyperosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl- Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water excrete water
Salinity is an osmotic challenge osmoregulation = regulation of salts versus water many marine invertebrates are isosmotic = H2O = Na+Cl-
What is the niche? set of conditions within which an organism can maintain a viable population multi-dimensional with as many dimensions as their are limiting conditions ecological niche light intensity okay temperature salinity
Energy flow through ecosystems sunlight CO2 plants energy detritivores herbivores carbon carnivores energy & carbon
Energy flow through ecosystems sunlight CO2 adaptations to acquiring CO2 adaptations to being eaten plants adaptations to eating plants detritivores herbivores adaptations to being eaten carnivores adaptations to eating animals