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Ecosystem Ecology. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment. Levels of Biological Organization. Levels Important to Ecology. Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems Biosphere. Energy and Matter in Ecosystems.
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Ecosystem Ecology • Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Levels Important to Ecology • Organisms • Populations • Communities • Ecosystems • Biosphere
Energy and Matter in Ecosystems Another definition of an ecosystem is a system through which energy flows and matter cycles.
LocalWatersheds • Watersheds are usually the smallest units that can be considered ecosystems.
Welcome Passengers! • Your attention please. Thank you for choosing earth as your planetary vehicle. We hope you enjoy the many wonderful features of this wonderful planet, as you hurtle through the cosmos... • Please take a moment to locate this planet's emergency exits. As you can see, there aren't any! (Courtesy Blue Man Group)
Mars has a physical environment, but no biological environment.
Van Allen Belts • Far above the surface are the Van Allen radiation belts, which trap most cosmic rays.
Earth’s Unique Features • oxygen atmosphere. • liquid water. • atmospheric pressure. • greenhouse effect. • ozone layer • atmosphere protecting surface from meteorites. • right size of planet and distance from the Sun. • gravity • solar energy
Biomes A biome is a region described by a particular type of vegetation and caused by a particular climate (average temperature and precipitation).--temperate deciduous forest-- northern coniferous forest.-- prairie.-- desert.-- chaparral-- tundra-- tropical rain forest.
Aquatic Life Zones An aquatic life zone is the equivalent of a biome underwater, but is determined by the type of water (fresh or salt), depth, and presence of a bottom or of sunlight.
Abiotic Factors • Abiotic refers to all of the factors in the environment that are nonliving—the physical environment.
An example of abiotic factors Dead Zone
Biotic Factors Biotic refers to all the factors in the environment caused by living things—the biological environment.
Limiting factors 1 • Some biotic and abiotic factors can be tolerated by a species; some cannot. • Beyond a certain salinity, goldfish die, while other fish can still thrive.
Limiting factors 2 • There is also a range of factors—at extreme high and low ends, these factors cannot be tolerated, but moderate values promote the growth of the organisms.
Limiting factors 3 • Finally, there are factors that limit a species abundance in an area by scarcity.
Factors that limit population size Limited resources. the most limiting resource, the one that if increased could allow population to grow, is called the limiting factor. an example of a limiting factor is dissolved oxygen (DO). (ex. Dead water zone) (water depth and sp.) limiting factors are usually abiotic.
Soil Terminology • Soil is a thin covering over most land - consists of a mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, water, air, and organisms. • Soils are arranged in horizons—layers of soilcharacterized by 1) composition and 2) depth.-- O horizon—leaf litter.(dead plant material)-- A horizon—topsoil. (2-8 inchs thick, most organic matter, life)-- B horizon—subsoil. (metals and minerals)-- C horizon—bedrock. (large rocks) • The soil profile consists of the 1)horizons present and their2)thicknesses.
Leaching is the removal of nutrients from soil by the action of water.
Biodiversity as natural capital • Biodiversity reflects the variety of natural resources available. • The greater the variety, the more possible “solutions” there are. • The greater the variety, the more redundancy there is in the system.
Decreased Biodiversity in Crops • Increased uniformity decreases diversity in crops. • Bananas and potatoes are examples.
Forest Products as Natural Capital • Forest products provide timber and energy.
Species • A species is a group of organisms that resemble each other in terms of appearance, lifestyle, behavior, chemistry, and genetics.
Cells • The cell is the basic unit of life. • All of the processes that make living things alive happen in cells—reproduction, growth, development, metabolism, energy use, etc.
