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This article explores the fundamental concepts of ecology, focusing on the interactions between organisms and their environments. It discusses biotic factors, such as behavior and interactions with other species, and abiotic factors, including temperature and water. Key examples illustrate how these factors influence species distribution, such as the Red Kangaroo in Australia. The article also covers different biomes, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and their distinct characteristics, such as freshwater and marine environments.
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Ecology • Def. – Interactions between organisms & the environment • Biotic factors • Behavior • Interaction with other species • Biota – all living organisms in an environment • Abiotic factors • Nonliving components – Temp., water, sunlight, wind • Chemical & physical factors
Example: Biotic Factors • Behavior is the most important factor for determining distribution of a population • Biotic factors are also important • Predators or prey may influence ability to survive • Kelp (algae) are predated by herbivorous sea urchins & limpets
Red Kangaroo distribution? NOTE: Australia is dry in the center, wet in periphery **Highest concentration is found in regions with low precipitation rates **Lowest concentration is found in regions that are cold or hot, but always are wet
Climate • Composed of 4 abiotic factors: • TWSW (That’s Wat She Waid?) • Temperature • Water • Sunlight • Wind • Temperature & water = Most Important Limiting Factors (MILFs)
Climate Patterns • 2 main climate patterns • Macroclimate • Global, regional or local levels • Microclimate • Small-scale environmental variations • Under a log • Tree canopy vs. forest floor
Biomes • Def. – the major types of ecosystems that occupy broad geographic regions • 2 main Types • Aquatic • Freshwater • Marine • Terrestrial • Forrests, grasslands, desert, etc.
Aquatic Biomes Vertical Zonation Photic Zone -- Enough sunlight for photosynthesis Aphotic zone -- Yep, u guessed it Benthic zone -- Bottom of the biome -- Sand, organic sediment, and ooze (inorganic sediment) Detritus -- dead organic matter that falls from photic zone Pelagic zone – open water
Thermocline -- Layer of fast temperature change that separate a uniformly warm upper layer and a uniformly cold deeper layer -- Ocean & most lakes -- Especially seen during summer & winter
Freshwater Biomes • Standing bodies of H2O • Lakes & wetlands • Moving bodies of H2O • Streams, rivers, & estuaries
Freshwater Lakes ONLY • Littoral Zone • -- Shallow & well-lit waters • -- Close to shore • Features rooted or floating aquatic plants • Limnetic Zone • -- Deep, but well lit waters • -- Far from shore • Occupied by phytoplankton &cyanobacteria
2 Types of Lakes • Oligotrophic • Normal, healthy water • Nutrient-poor water • Oxygen-Rich water • Eutrophic • Algal blooms • Nutrient-rich water • Oxygen poor water
Estuaries • Transition area between river and sea • Complex flow pattern • Low-density freshwater lies on top of high-density saltwater