ecological concepts katy wozniak fw 485 march 4, 2009
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Ecological Concepts
Katy Wozniak
FW 485
March 4, 2009
What is Ecology?What is Ecology?
Study of the interactions of living Study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and organisms with one another and with their nonliving environment of with their nonliving environment of matter and energymatter and energy
Study of the structure and functions Study of the structure and functions of natureof nature
Organism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
ClassificationsClassifications
OrganismOrganism Any form of lifeAny form of life Cell is the basic unit of life in organismsCell is the basic unit of life in organisms
Single cellular vs. multicellularSingle cellular vs. multicellular Organisms are:Organisms are:
EukaryotesEukaryotes cells surround by a membranecells surround by a membrane Distinct nucleusDistinct nucleus OrganellesOrganelles
All organisms except bacteria and some algaeAll organisms except bacteria and some algae ProkaryotesProkaryotes
Cell contains no distinct nucleusCell contains no distinct nucleus No organellesNo organelles
All bacteria are single-celled prokaryotesAll bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes
Eukaryotic Cell
Prokaryotic Cell
ProducersProducers
Organism that uses solar energy to Organism that uses solar energy to make foodmake food Plants (autotroph)Plants (autotroph)
PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis chlorophyll in plants traps light energy from chlorophyll in plants traps light energy from
the sunthe sun light energy combines with carbon dioxide and light energy combines with carbon dioxide and
water from the atmospherewater from the atmosphereO2 + C6H12O6 O2 + C6H12O6 (glucose)(glucose)
H20 + CO2+ H20 + CO2+ SunlightSunlight
ConsumersConsumers
Organism that gets its nutrients by Organism that gets its nutrients by feeding on plants and/or animals feeding on plants and/or animals (heterotroph)(heterotroph) Primary consumerPrimary consumer
herbivoreherbivore Secondary consumerSecondary consumer
CarnivoresCarnivores OmnivoresOmnivores
Tertiary consumerTertiary consumer DetritivoresDetritivores
Consume detritusConsume detritus
DecomposerDecomposer
Organism that breaks down dead Organism that breaks down dead organisms and other waste into organisms and other waste into smaller mattersmaller matter How? How? DecompositionDecomposition
Two kindsTwo kinds Various bacteriaVarious bacteria FungiFungi
Return chemicals back to Return chemicals back to
the soilthe soil
How are organisms How are organisms related?related?
Chain:Chain: Linear relationship of plants Linear relationship of plants and animals in which matter and and animals in which matter and energy is transferred from one energy is transferred from one organism to anotherorganism to another
Web:Web: Interconnecting food chains Interconnecting food chains that occur in naturethat occur in nature
Energy TransferEnergy Transfer 10% of solar radiation is turned into useable
energy by plants 90% of the energy is released as heat energy
consumer only gets 10% chemical energy
Chemical energy converted to mechanical energy (thinking, moving etc.)
ClassificationsClassificationsOrganism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
SpeciesSpecies Group of organisms that resemble one Group of organisms that resemble one
another in appearance, behavior, another in appearance, behavior, chemical make-up and processes, and chemical make-up and processes, and genetic structure.genetic structure. Reproduce sexuallyReproduce sexually Fertile offspringFertile offspring
3.6 million to 100 million3.6 million to 100 million Many in tropical forestsMany in tropical forests Most insects and microorganismMost insects and microorganism
Identified 1.4 million speciesIdentified 1.4 million species Native vs. NonnativeNative vs. Nonnative
How do species coexist?How do species coexist? Niche- tNiche- total way of life or role of a species in otal way of life or role of a species in
an ecosysteman ecosystem Two typesTwo types
FundamentalFundamental Full potential of factors a species can use if there is no Full potential of factors a species can use if there is no
competitioncompetition RealizedRealized
Parts of fundamental niche that is actually used by Parts of fundamental niche that is actually used by speciesspecies
Different from habitat!! Different from habitat!! Niche is like a species occupation, habitat is like Niche is like a species occupation, habitat is like
its addressits address Examples?Examples?
Generalists vs. Specialist Generalists vs. Specialist SpeciesSpecies
GeneralistGeneralist Broad nichesBroad niches Eat a variety of foodsEat a variety of foods Tolerate a wide range of env. conditionsTolerate a wide range of env. conditions
raccoonsraccoons CoyotesCoyotes FliesFlies CockroachesCockroaches
SpecialistSpecialist Narrow nichesNarrow niches Narrow range of env. conditionsNarrow range of env. conditions
Tiger salamandersTiger salamanders Red-cockaded woodpeckersRed-cockaded woodpeckers
Types of InteractionsTypes of Interactions PredationPredation
(+, -)(+, -) one species benefits, one is disadvantagedone species benefits, one is disadvantaged
CompetitionCompetition (- , -)(- , -) Each specie is negatively affectedEach specie is negatively affected
MutualismMutualism (+,+)(+,+)
Both species benefitBoth species benefit Example: Acacia trees and antsExample: Acacia trees and ants
CommensalismCommensalism (+, 0)(+, 0) One specie benefits, the other is unaffectedOne specie benefits, the other is unaffected Example: redwood sorrelExample: redwood sorrel
CompetitionCompetition
Results when organisms compete for Results when organisms compete for the same resourcesthe same resources Intraspecific: competition between Intraspecific: competition between
organisms of the same speciesorganisms of the same species Lions competing for a food sourceLions competing for a food source
Interspecific: competition between Interspecific: competition between organisms of different speciesorganisms of different species Lions and hyenas competing for same food Lions and hyenas competing for same food
sourcesource
Predator/Prey Predator/Prey RelationshipRelationship
DefinitionsDefinitions PredatorPredator: organism that captures or feeds on : organism that captures or feeds on
other organismsother organisms PreyPrey: organism that is attacked: organism that is attacked
Mechanisms?Mechanisms?
Individual changes in populationsIndividual changes in populations Increase prey causes an increase in predatorsIncrease prey causes an increase in predators Increase predators causes decreased preyIncrease predators causes decreased prey Decrease prey causes a decrease in predatorsDecrease prey causes a decrease in predators Decrease predators cause increase in preyDecrease predators cause increase in prey
ClassificationsClassificationsOrganism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
PopulationPopulation
Group of individual organisms of the Group of individual organisms of the same species living in a particular area.same species living in a particular area. interact interact
Examples:Examples: Sunfish in a pondSunfish in a pond White oak trees in a forestWhite oak trees in a forest People in a countryPeople in a country
Reside in an environment known as its Reside in an environment known as its habitathabitat
Major Characteristics of Major Characteristics of PopulationsPopulations
Population dynamics is a study of Population dynamics is a study of how populations change in:how populations change in: SizeSize DensityDensity Age distributionAge distribution DispersionDispersion
What affects a What affects a Population Size?Population Size?
ImmigrationImmigration BirthsBirths DeathsDeaths EmigrationEmigration
Population change= (births + immigration) – (deaths + emigration)
No population can grow indefinitely!!
Limiting FactorsLimiting Factors
Amount of resourcesAmount of resources WaterWater NutrientsNutrients LightLight
Presence of competitors and predatorsPresence of competitors and predators INVASIVE SPECIES (nonnative species)INVASIVE SPECIES (nonnative species) All factors together = All factors together = Environmental Environmental
ResistanceResistance
Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity
Maximum number of individuals of a Maximum number of individuals of a given species that can be sustained given species that can be sustained indefinitely in a given spaceindefinitely in a given space
Population decreases as it nears Population decreases as it nears carrying capacitycarrying capacity Why?Why?
What happens if population What happens if population exceedsexceeds K? K?
DIEBACKS
EXTINCTION!!
Population with few resource limitations grows exponentially.
Rapid exponential growth followed by a steady decrease in growth with time until population size levels off.
Exponential Growth
Logistic Growth
Population DispersionPopulation Dispersion
RandomRandom UniformUniform ClumpingClumping
Most common…Why?Most common…Why? Resources vary from place to placeResources vary from place to place Protection from predatorsProtection from predators Groups for mating and caring for youngGroups for mating and caring for young Better chance of getting a mealBetter chance of getting a meal
Examples: pack of wolves, flock of geeseExamples: pack of wolves, flock of geese
ClassificationsClassificationsOrganism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
CommunityCommunity
Populations of different species living Populations of different species living and interacting in an area at a and interacting in an area at a particular time.particular time.
Complex and interacting network of Complex and interacting network of plants, animals, and microorganismsplants, animals, and microorganisms ProducersProducers ConsumersConsumers DecomposersDecomposers
Community StructureCommunity Structure
Biological communities differ in their:Biological communities differ in their: Physical appearancePhysical appearance
Relative sizeRelative size Distribution of speciesDistribution of species
Number of speciesNumber of species Species richnessSpecies richness
Ecological roles their species playEcological roles their species play Niche structure- how many ecological nichesNiche structure- how many ecological niches
Similar or different?Similar or different?
ClassificationsClassificationsOrganism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
EcosystemsEcosystems
Community of different species Community of different species interacting with one another and with interacting with one another and with the chemical and physical factors the chemical and physical factors making up its nonliving environment.making up its nonliving environment.
Range in sizeRange in size Puddle of waterPuddle of water Patch of woodsPatch of woods Entire forestEntire forest
Natural or artificialNatural or artificial Examples: crop fields, farm pondsExamples: crop fields, farm ponds
Major Components of Major Components of EcosystemsEcosystems
Abiotic: nonlivingAbiotic: nonliving WaterWater AirAir NutrientsNutrients Solar energySolar energy
Biotic: livingBiotic: living PlantsPlants AnimalsAnimals microbesmicrobes
Terrestrial EcosystemsTerrestrial Ecosystems
Biologists have classified terrestrial Biologists have classified terrestrial land portion of biosphere into biomesland portion of biosphere into biomes
Biomes:Biomes: major terrestrial community major terrestrial community with its own type of climate, with its own type of climate, vegetation and animal lifevegetation and animal life
Primary controls for biomesPrimary controls for biomes ClimateClimate TopographyTopography SoilSoil
Distribution of BiomesDistribution of Biomes
Biomes of the TropicsBiomes of the Tropics
Temperature generally > 20 degree Temperature generally > 20 degree CelsiusCelsius
Types:Types: Tropical RainforestTropical Rainforest Tropical Deciduous forestTropical Deciduous forest DesertDesert SavannaSavanna
Tropical Rain forestTropical Rain forest High rainfall High rainfall
> 250 cm/yr> 250 cm/yr Found near equatorFound near equator
SE AsiaSE Asia Sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa South AmericaSouth America
AmazonAmazon More than half of the More than half of the
world’s species of world’s species of plants and animals plants and animals found herefound here Biodiversity centerBiodiversity center
Dominated by Dominated by broadleaf evergreen broadleaf evergreen plantsplants
www.tiskita-lodge.org
DesertDesert Cover 30% of earth’s
land surface < 100 cm/yr
precipitation (very dry) Evaporation exceeds
precipitation sparse vegetation organisms adapted to
withstand water stress Adaptations?
Deserts are found in tropical, temperate, and polar regionswww.biology.ed
SavannaSavanna Characterized by tall Characterized by tall
grasses, scattered treesgrasses, scattered trees precipitation falls precipitation falls
between that of the between that of the desert and tropical desert and tropical rainforestrainforest Seasonal rainfallSeasonal rainfall
Grazing and browsing Grazing and browsing animalsanimals Giraffes, zebras, Giraffes, zebras,
wildebeestwildebeest Benefits?Benefits?
www.wikipedia.com
Biomes of Temperate Biomes of Temperate RegionsRegions
Temperature between 0 and 20 Temperature between 0 and 20 degrees Celsiusdegrees Celsius
Types:Types: Temperate Rain forestTemperate Rain forest Temperate deciduous forestTemperate deciduous forest Temperate grasslandTemperate grassland Temperate shrubland (chaparral)Temperate shrubland (chaparral)
Temperate Deciduous Temperate Deciduous ForestForest
Grow in areas with Grow in areas with moderate avg. moderate avg. temperatures that change temperatures that change significantly with the significantly with the season.season. Long, warm summersLong, warm summers Cold, but not too severe Cold, but not too severe
winterswinters Abundant precipitation Abundant precipitation
spread evenly over the yearspread evenly over the year Trees lose leaves Trees lose leaves
seasonallyseasonally What we have in Michigan!What we have in Michigan!
GrasslandGrassland Cover vast expanses of Cover vast expanses of
plains and gently rolling plains and gently rolling hillshills
Precipitation is sparsePrecipitation is sparse Falls unevenly Falls unevenly
throughout the yearthroughout the year Cold wintersCold winters Hot, dry summersHot, dry summers Fertile soilsFertile soils
Growing cropsGrowing crops Grazing cattleGrazing cattle
Types include tall-grass Types include tall-grass prairies and short-grass prairies and short-grass prairiesprairies Western U.S and CanadaWestern U.S and Canada
www.thinkquest.org
Temperate ShrublandTemperate Shrubland Found in coastal regions Found in coastal regions
that border desertsthat border deserts Winter rainy seasonWinter rainy season
Due to closeness to seaDue to closeness to sea Long, hot and dry Long, hot and dry
summerssummers Vegetation becomes Vegetation becomes
dry and highly dry and highly flammableflammable
Dense growths of low-Dense growths of low-growing evergreen shrubsgrowing evergreen shrubs
www.blm.gov
Biomes of High Latitude Biomes of High Latitude RegionsRegions
Temperature: < 10 degrees CelsiusTemperature: < 10 degrees Celsius Types:Types:
Boreal Forest (taiga or evergreen Boreal Forest (taiga or evergreen coniferous forest)coniferous forest)
Tundra (polar grasslands)Tundra (polar grasslands)
TundraTundra Occur south of arctic Occur south of arctic
polar cappolar cap Treeless plains covered Treeless plains covered
with ice and snowwith ice and snow thick, spongy mat of thick, spongy mat of
low-growing plantslow-growing plants GrassesGrasses MossesMosses Wood shrubsWood shrubs
PermafrostPermafrost Caribou, lemmings, Caribou, lemmings,
polar bears, arctic harepolar bears, arctic hare
www.marietta.edu
Boreal ForestBoreal Forest Found just south of the Found just south of the
arctic tundraarctic tundra Northern regions across N. Northern regions across N.
America, Asia, EuropeAmerica, Asia, Europe Winters are long, dry, Winters are long, dry,
extremely coldextremely cold Summers are short, mildSummers are short, mild Dominated by coniferous Dominated by coniferous
(cone-bearing) evergreen (cone-bearing) evergreen treestrees Spruce, fir, cedar Spruce, fir, cedar Adaptations?Adaptations?
Low plant diversityLow plant diversity Why?Why?
Grizzly bear, caribou, Grizzly bear, caribou, wolverinewolverine www.marietta.e
du
Disturbance and Disturbance and SuccessionSuccession
DisturbanceDisturbance Change in environmental conditions that Change in environmental conditions that
disrupts a community or ecosystemdisrupts a community or ecosystem FireFire LandslideLandslide PlowingPlowing Invasive species!!Invasive species!!
SuccessionSuccession Sequential changes following disturbance in Sequential changes following disturbance in
the dominant biota occupying and affecting a the dominant biota occupying and affecting a sitesite
Primary- gradual establishment of biotic Primary- gradual establishment of biotic communities on lifeless groundcommunities on lifeless ground
Secondary- biotic communities established where Secondary- biotic communities established where biotic community is already presentbiotic community is already present
More rapid, commonMore rapid, common
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
Aquatic Life ZonesAquatic Life Zones
Scientists divide the water parts of Scientists divide the water parts of biosphere into aquatic life zonesbiosphere into aquatic life zones
Freshwater life zonesFreshwater life zones
Ocean or Marine life zonesOcean or Marine life zones
Freshwater Life ZonesFreshwater Life Zones
LakesLakes StreamsStreams RiversRivers PondsPonds
www.fws.gov
Ocean Life Zone Ocean Life Zone
Marine Life ZonesMarine Life Zones Coral reefsCoral reefs Coastal estuariesCoastal estuaries Deep oceanDeep ocean
ClassificationsClassificationsOrganism
Populations
Community
Ecosystem
Biosphere
Species
BiosphereBiosphere
All of earth’s ecosystems together All of earth’s ecosystems together make up the biosphere.make up the biosphere.
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