Chapter 3: The Biosphere

1. Chapter 3: The Biosphere What is ecology?

2. Ecology • Ecology – the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and environment (Haeckel, 1866) • Interdependence – dependence between or among individuals or things

3. Levels of Organization • Biosphere – largest level, our entire planet - portions of planet where life exists (land, H2O, air) • 8 km above to 11 km below

4. Levels of Organization • Biome – group of ecosystems that share similar climates (temp. and rainfall)

5. Levels of Organization • Ecosystem– collection of all organisms in a particular place together with the abiotic (physical) environment.

6. Levels of Organization • Community – groups of different populations that live together in a defined area. • Population – groups of individuals of same species that live in same area. • Species – group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.

7. Levels of Organization

9. Biotic and Abiotic Factors • Biotic – living part of the environment • Plants, Animals ,Mold, Fungi, Bacteria, Protist • Abiotic – Nonliving part of the environment • Sunlight, heat, soil, wind, water, temperature • Environment – all conditions or factors surrounding an organism; includes both biotic and abiotic factors.

10. 3.2 Energy, Producers, and Consumers At the core of every organism’s interaction with the environment is its need for ENERGY to power life’s processes

11. Producers (Autotrophs) • Can trap energy to produce food • Use solar or chemical energy to produce food by assembling inorganic compounds into complex organic molecules • Plants • Some protist • Some bacteria

12. Primary Producers • Photosynthesis– captures solar energy and converts it to chemical energy sunlight 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 • Chemosynthesis– Chemical energy used to produce carbohydrates • bacteria in harsh environments • deep sea volcanic vents or hot springs

13. Consumers (Heterotrophs) • Can’t trap energy directly; must acquire it from other organisms • Herbivores – eat plant leaves, roots, seed or fruits(cow, catepillar, deer) • Carnivores – eat other animals (snakes, dogs cats) • Omnivores – eatboth plant and animal (human, bear, pigs)

14. Consumers (Heterotrophs) • Scavengers – consume carcasses of other animals (vultures and hyenas) • Decomposers – break down organic matter(bacteria and fungi) – produces detritus (small pieces of dead and decaying plant and animal remains) • Detritivores – feed on detritus (earthworms and many types of snails, mites, shrimp, crabs)

15. 3.3 Energy Flow in Ecosystems Food Chains Food Webs How Ecosystems Work (3:23)

16. Food Chains and Food Webs SUNAutotrophsHeterotroph • Food Chain – energy trapped by producers passed on when organisms eat and are eaten • Food Web – relationship more complex than a chain

17. Food Web Activity

18. Trophic Levels and Ecological Pyramids • Trophic Levels – each step in a food chain/web Ex: producers, then consumers • Ecological Pyramids – shows relative amount ofenergyat each trophic level of a food chain or web. • Biomass – total amount of living tissue within a trophic level

19. 3.4 Cycles of Matter *Recycle Matter*

20. Carbon Cycle • Photosynthesis – uses CO2 from atmosphere • Happens in the CHLOROPLAST 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 • Respiration – returns CO2 to atmosphere • Happens in the MITOCHONDRIA C6H12O6 + O2 H2O + CO2

21. Carbon Cycle

22. The Carbon Cycle • Volcanoes, respiration, fossil fuels, and decomposition add CO2 to atmosphere. • Organic carbon is locked deep beneath the Earth’s surface – high pressure converts layers of sediment (dead organisms and waste) to carbon-rich fossil fuels. • Fossil fuels are extracted and processed to make gasoline and oil –burning fossil fuels release CO2 • Plants take CO2 and make carbohydrates - glucose (C6H12O6). • Plants are eaten by animals and carbohydrates are passed through the food chain. • As the animal breathes and eventually dies and decomposes, CO2 is returned to the atmosphere.

23. Carbon Cycling

24. Water Cycle

25. Water Cycle • Water enters the atmosphere by: • Evaporation – water changes from a liquid to a gas • Transpiration – Evaporation through leaves • As water rises it cools condenses into tiny droplets that form clouds. • Droplets returns to Earth as precipitation. • Water enters the rivers, ground water, ocean or plant roots to restart cycle.

26. Nitrogen Cycle

27. Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle • Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of atmosphere • Nitrogen Fixation: bacteria take nitrogen gases and turn it into ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. • Plants and animals use nitrate to make amino acids. • Animal dies and decomposes returning nitrates to the soil. • Denitrification: other bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

29. The Phosphorus Cycle

30. The Phosphorus Cycle • Phosphate – parts of DNA/RNA • Found in rocks that are worn down • Washes into rivers/streams/oceans for marine organisms • Taken in by plants and turned into organic compounds

31. Nutrient Limitation • Primary Productivity – the rate at which organic molecules are created by producers • If nutrients are in short supply, they are called LIMITING NUTRIENTS Ex: Nitrogen is often limiting in water; if there is suddenly as input of N (fertilizer runoff), organisms can grow rapidly (Algal Bloom)

32. Chapter 4: Ecosystems and Communities 4-1 The Role of Climate

33. Climate • Climate: long-term, over entire biome area • Weather: short-term, local • Greenhouse Effect • It’s a good thing! • CO2, H2O, CH4 all trap heat and hold it next to the surface • Keeps the temperature suitable for life Video Clip 1 Video Clip 2

34. The Effect of Latitude on Climate • Earth has 3 climate zones due to unequal heating because of the angle of the sun • Polar • Temperate • Tropical

35. Heat Transport • Ocean and wind currents help produce Earth’s climates • They are affected by land masses and Earth’s rotation

36. 4-2 Niches and Community Interactions

37. The Niche • Niche – where and how something lives; the way the species obtains what it needs to survive and reproduce • Habitat is the general place where an organism live (address) • Niche is the organism’s how it interacts with biotic and abiotic factors (occupation)

38. Community Interactions • Competition • Organisms compete for resources Ex: Food, Mates, Shelter • Competitive Exclusion Principle – no 2 organisms occupy exactly the same niche in exactly the same habitat at exactly the same time. • winner and a loser • Predation • One organism (predator) captures and feeds on another (prey).

39. Community Interactions • Symbiosis • Mutualism – both species benefit Ex: Flowers & insects, Clown Fish & Sea Anemone, Egrets & Alligators • Commensalism – one benefits, the other is not helped nor harmed Ex: Barnacle (gets food) & Whale • Parasitism – one benefits, other is harmed Ex: tapeworms, fleas, ticks, lice

40. Examples of Symbiosis Bed bugs 5 min video Aphid – destructive insect pests Grey shark with pilot fish

41. 4.3 Ecological Succession Ecological Succession - change in an ecosystem • Primary Succession – no remnants of an older community (volcanic eruption, glacier erosion = reveals bare rock) • 1st species to colonize barren areas are called “pioneer species” • Ex: algae, fungi, lichens - composite, symbiotic organisms • Secondary Succession – disturbance affects the community - soil exists (flood, hurricane, wild fires, clear cutting, plowed for farming) • Climax Community – fairly stable, dominant community established after succession.

43. Intro to Biomes 4-4 Land Biomes

44. Biomes based on Precipitation and Temperature

45. Videos on Biomes • Terrestrial Biomes: Deserts, Grasslands, and Forests(3:39) • Savanahs(2:36)