Ecology

Do Now:1. What is the LEADING factor that

determines the location of a biome?1. Latitude

2. What are the LEADING characteristics that identify a biome?

1. Climate- temperature and precipitation2. Adapted Plants and Animals

Describe the vegetation for each biome:1. Deciduous- Broadleaf Trees, moss2. Rainforest- trees, vines, shrubs, moss and moist3. Boreal forest- pine trees4. Desert- succulents= holds water5. Grasslands- thick with grasses6. Tundra- small grass-like plants- little shrubs and no trees

Temperature and Precipitation

Latitude and Altitude

How Humans USE the biomes

Using the images around the room, complete the data table of questions an analysis.

Biome Picture Walk

Tropical Rainforest Warm and wet -250cm of rain

per year to about 450 cm/year.  The average annual temperature is above 20° C (never a frost)

tropics, a band around the equator from 23.5° N (the Tropic of Cancer) to 23.5° S (the Tropic of Capricorn)

Highest biodiversity; over 7900 in one forest and especially 90% of all primates live here.

The warmth leads to a lot of evaporation, and as warm, moist air rises, it cools, the water condenses, and the water falls back to the earth as rain. 

Threats-animal poaching, sustenance farming, human population growth, Industrialized agriculture, logging and other minerals and resources being removed for human use.

Tropical Savanna The term savanna or campos

or llano was originally used to describe the treeless areas of south America.

The climate of the savanna is consistently warm and has two distinct seasons; wet and dry seasons.

Covered with less woody trees, with the exception of the Acacia Tree, and has more grasses and shrubs due to less rainfall.

Savannas have two vertical layers; 1)ground cover and grasses 2) trees and shrubs

Subject to recurrent fires, the dominant vegetation is fire adapted.

Acacia trees

Tropical Savanna The largest Savanna in

the world is in Africa and surrounds the rainforest.

Savanna animals are mostly herbivore, grazing packs of animals (60 different types) along with the herd predators such as lions, crocodiles, wild dogs and cheetahs.

Threats: Global climate change (warmer and less rain), agriculture, mining and poaching.

Grasslands Dry climate 25-80cm of

precipitation a year. Also, grasslands tend to be in

temperate  to subtropical areas, often with cold winters and hot summers. 

Found between deserts and forests.

In the northern hemisphere the main grasslands are the prairies of the mid-western United States and Canada; in Eurasia the maker grasslands are the steppes of Russia and the grasslands of the mid-east extending from Turkey to India. Grasslands are also found in South America. 

A wide range of herbivores once roamed these regions, mostly ungulates (hooved animals).

Grasslands There are three main types

of dominant plant species; tall-grass, mixed-grass and short-grass prairie

Australia has four types of grasslands based on amount of precipitation.

42% of the Earth used to be grasslands, now less than 12% remains due to conversion to croplands.

Threats: There are two major threats to grasslands - conversion to agriculture (or urban areas) and global warming and its attendant changes in precipitation.  Also, mining, animal poaching and development Cattle industry

Corporate Farming

Desert These arid regions occupy 25-

35% of earth’s landmass. Temperate deserts have very

hot summers and winter nights can be extremely cold. Temperate deserts lie in the rain shadows (Climate PP).

Cool deserts have warm summer and cold winters.

Hot deserts are equatorial with extreme heat year round throughout the day but can have extremely cold evenings due to lack of cloud cover.

Sahara is the world’s largest and covers approxiamtely9 million km2 of N. Africa.

Australia is classified as 40% desert.

Desert Precipitation is low, less

than 100 cm per year The average annual

temperature is less than 10° C.

subtropical deserts- latitudes of 30° North or South latitude (equator)

Temperate deserts- "grassland" from "desert". 

Locations from southern California, North/central Africa, Central Asia and central Australia

Threats-one of the biggest threats to deserts is development and animal poaching. 

Subtropical deserts

Temperate deserts

Mediterranean Shrublands Most lie between 30 and 40°

latitude. The climate is hot, drought-like

summers and cool, moist winters.

The are five regions of Mediterranean ecosystems including the semiarid of W. US, Mediterranean Sea, Central Chile, cape of S. Africa and SW Australia.

The Chaparral is the shrub community in N. America.

About 65% of the precipitation falls during the winter months.

Animal life ranges from mule deer, coyotes, many birds, as well as kangaroos and wallabies.

Mediterranean Shrublands Vegetation includes

broadleaf evergreen shrubs and dwarf trees known as sclerophllous (small leaves and hairy stems).

Largest regions surrounds the Mediterranean Sea.

The Mediterranean shrublands lack an understory and ground litter and are therefore very flammable.

Fires are part of the cycles of the shrubs, after the fires regrowth matures and prepares for the next fire.

Temperate Deciduous Forests In N. America, the deciduous

forest consists of several types including the mixed mesophytic forest; Appalachian Plateau, beech-maple and northern hardwoods, maple-basswood forest of Great Lakes, oak-chestnut of central hardwood of Appalachian, magnolia-oak forests of Gulf and oak-hickory of ozarks .

There are also Asiatic broadleaf forests in eastern China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea; as well as in New Zealand, Tasmania, southern Australia.

Temperate Deciduous Forest Very hot summers to very cold

winters. The average annual  temperature

ranges up to about 20° C down to freezing. 

Precipitation ranges from around 50 cm yr in the colder regions to over 200 cm/yr.  (lake-effect snows in the winter-until the lake freezes). 

Broad-leaf vegetation; large and flat leaves with a shrub layers and ground layer of herbs, ferns, and mosses.

Animals include small herbivores, deer, bear, rabbits, mice, salamanders and several types of birds.

Threats- Acid Rain, logging, human population and development, global warming also the soils are rich and easily converted to agriculture

Taiga or Boreal Forest Climate in the taiga is cold,

with average annual temperatures from about +5°  to -5°  C

20 cm of precipitation per year to over 200 cm

growing season is short, usually less than 3 months.

broad bands across North America and Eurasia (Russia/Siberia)

Coniferous trees Threats-animal poaching,

exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves, development and logging is always a threat however, most serious threat is Global Warming.

Tundra In the tundra, conditions are

cold, with an annual average temperature less than 5° C, and precipitation (mostly in the form of snow) less than 100 mm per year (see figure at right). 

The summer is brief, with temperatures above freezing lasting for only a few weeks at most. 

The ecology of the tundra is controlled by the cold climate and the northern latitude.  The former means that a unique soil structure, permafrost, forms and dominates the biology. 

Lichens and mosses, willows, sedges and grasses

Threats-airborne pollutants, oil and gas development , global warming

Biome Boxes

Go around the room and place your hand in EACH box. Be specific in your observations: shape/type of plant,

moisture, temperature, soil, Then, complete the data table (bullet) Keep in mind this is a “pre-learning”, thought-

provoking even though you may not know the exact responses yet.

The Nature of Evolution:

1. A timeline of life on Earth-on poster board1) Toothed birds2) Pangaea3) Most recent ice age4) Dinosaurs5) Flowering plants6) First Blue-green algae7) Horseshoe crab8) Lucy9) Chimpanzee10) Extinction of dinosaurs11) 1st mammals12) 1st insects and amphibians 13) Break-up of Pangaea

2. Darwin’s finches- read and share

Introduction to Natural Selection:Observation and application What are your specific

adaptations? What makes you more “fit” that other speices to survive.

On the large piece of paper, compare yourself to a primitive animal species of choice and a species that is better adapted than yourself. List both the adaptations and “down falls” of all three species.

Within your justification, provide at least 5 specific adaptations for yourself and at least 5 for the weaker species, and 5 for the better adapted animal.

Be prepared to share your interesting thoughts with the class.

Darwin’s Finches-seperate piece of paper

1. How old was Darwin when he set-out on the HMS Beagle?

2. What does the principle of “uniformitarianism” mean?

3. Even though there was only one finch, from the northern latitudes, that could have evolved into the species on the Galapagos, how many finch species did Darwin identify on the island?

4. Connect the different shapes of the beak with the diet of the specific species of finch. How does this demonstrate adaption?

5. How did Darwin’s theory of natural selection contradict the creation of man for this time period? Explain.

6. What is the leading characteristic or factor that guides adaptation within a population and ultimately evolution?

7. What are the two misconceptions as to Darwin’s studies. List and explain how they misunderstood.

Evolution Evolution- “a change over time”

A slow molding, based of environmental influences To allow more success and reproduction of the speciesA. Natural Selection: the process by which traits that improve

the organism’s chances for survival or reproduction. (females become more attracted to striped fish)

1. Fitness-reproductive success = higher fitness (not stronger or faster)

2. Adaptation: heritable trait that increases the animal’s fitness is passed through following generations.

What can cause for adaptions:B. Mutation: changes to the DNA (ex: stripes on fish)C. Migration: immigration of anothe population (striped

breeds with non-striped fish)D. Genetic Drift: a gene pool becomes sepearted by humans

development or natural disaster. Now seperates species and small gene pool.

Examples of Adaptations to The environment: Coping with climatic and other abiotic factors

Examples? For obtaining food and water in the case of animals and

nutrient, energy, and water in the case of plants. Examples?

Escaping from or protecting against predation and for resistance to disease causing or parasitic organisms Examples?

For reproduction, for finding or attracting mates and for pollination and setting seed in plant populations. Examples?

Migration adaptations for animals and dispersal of seeds in case of plants. Examples?

Focus of next two chapters- next week.

Plant adaptations for water- Cacti

More Plant Adaptations:

Red oak has smaller leaves on top of the tree and larger on the bottom to have equal amounts of sunlight for photosynthesis

Green Rhododendrons curl their leaves in drought to hold more water and avoid excessive sunlight

Red maples extend their roots horizontally to absorb any water close to the surface.

Mouthparts reflect how an organism obtains their food

Humming birds are small birds with long beaks and a long tongue. They also drink the nectar from flowers

The flamingo is also a filter feeder. It puts its head upside down into the water and moves its head from side to side.

The butterfly drinks nectar from flowers. It has a very long mouthpart called a proboscis

Whales have baleen to filter feed for microscopic plankton and krill.

Herbivores have large flat teeth for grinding vegetation.

Orcas and dolphins have coned teeth for tearing meat of tuna and seals.

Adaptations of Herbivores Herbivores will have to eat a higher mass of food to fill their requirements because animal meat is higher in proteins and fat; 50 to for plants, 10 to 1 for animal tissue.

Herbivores are classified by the plant material they eat: Grazer- feed on leafy material,

especially grasses Due to low protein, these feeders rely on

specialized bacteria in their stomachs Ruminants, such as cows and deer, have

four stomachs to digests the grass. Browser- feed on woody material

Lagomorphs such as rabbits will eat their feces in there is a shortage of minerals.

Granivore- feed on seeds and fruit Seed eating birds like chickens have a

gizzard which are powerful grinding organs

Adapted Animal Project! Must demonstrate

biome Must demonstrate

lifestyle of the critter as well as adaptations to survive in its specific biome.

Adaptations of Carnivores and OmnivoresCarnivores

Carnivores do not have the problems of digesting cellulose, their major problem is obtaining food.

Carnivores have short intestines and simple stomachs. Carnivore birds such as hawks

and owls, the gizzard is more than a grinder. The gizzard acts as a barrier against hair, bones and feathers that is then regurgitated by the bird.

Omnivores An omnivores food habits vary

seasonally, changes in stages of life or growth rate. The red fox feeds on mostly

berries, insects and small rodents.

The black bears feed heavily on vegetation- tree bark, berries, nuts and leaves but a supplemented with insects, fish and small mammals.

LIFE: In-Class-Independent Assignment:Introduction into Adaptations

On a separate piece of paper, for FOUR organisms demonstrated in the video, list the following:A. Name the organismB. Name and describe it’s habitat/environmentC. TWO adaptations of this creature (1 obvious

and discussed, the other not as obvious)D. Provide reasoning for each adaption

Hierarchy of Ecology

I. Biosphere: All ecosystems, both land and water, and their exchanges of materials and energy

II. Biome: broad –scale collection of ecosystems based on similar biotic and abiotic factors

III. Ecosystem: all interacting biotic and abiotic factors in a given area

IV. Community: All populations of different species interacting within an ecosystem

V. Population: a group of individuals of the same species in a specific area

VI. Individual: single organism in an ecosystem

A. Food web The more accurate and

realistic approach to demonstrate how elements and energy are transferred.

Demonstrated in many over lapping food chains in one ecosystem

B. Food chain Is a more simplistic series of

events in which on organism eats another and obtains energy

A linkage to show who eats who… Energy, essential elements and

compounds are transferred

The movement of energy through an ecosystem can be shown in diagrams called:

Trophic LevelsA. Producers- produce their own food

(plants, algae)B. Primary Consumers- herbivores

that eat the producersC. Secondary Consumers- small

carnivoresD. Tertiary Consumers- large

predatorsOther parts of food webs:a. omnivore- consumes plants and

animalsb. Scavenger- is a carnivore that

feeds on bodies of dead organisms

c. Decomposers-organisms that break down wastes and dead organisms and return raw materials to the environment.

Energy for organisms is obtained based on what

they eat.

Heterotrophic- food from eatingAutotrophic- makes on food

The most energy is available at the producer level of an energy pyramid, as you move up, less energy is available.Only about 10% of energy at one level is transferred to the next higher level

Do Now: TEST FRIDAY1. What is a niche?

The role of an organism in its environment

2. What is transferred through a food chain?ENERGY

3. What are some adaptations of an owl?excellent eye sight, large wingspan to glide on

heat currents, specialized gizzard

4. What is the trophic level of the owl?tertiary consumer

5. What biomes can we find owls?Temperate Deciduous Forest, Boreal Forest/Taiga and Tundra

Owl Pellets Investigation Setup:

1. Complete the measurements as listed on the front of your lab

2. Soak your pellet over night in water so that it is easier to remove.

3. The next, be dissecting and seperateing the bones.

4. Once you have identify the type of animal that you have, then use the skeleton model to reconstruct the animals bones.

Materials: Dissecting pan Triple Beam Balance Forceps Ruler Cardboard and glue Skeleton key

Ecology RelationshipsA. Niche: the fundamental role of a species in a community.

(ecological role)a. Fundamental niche: full niche/role of a species, with no competitors,

(an organism can exploit its full fundamental niche)b. Realized niche: a partial role because of competition or other species

interactions (when competition restrict the organism from exploiting its niche)

B. Predation: the process by which individuals of one species, a predator, hunt, capture, kill, and consume individuals of another species (prey).

a. Predation has evolutionary ramifications…examples?b. Predation plays a huge role in population dynamics..examples?Ex; Zebra Mussel predation on phytoplankton- mussels have reduced

plankton up to 90% in Great lakes and Chesapeake Bay . Causes changes to the food webs, causes biomass to decrease.

C. Mutualism-a relationship in which two or more species benefit from the interaction (one provides resource, other provides a service) Examples?????

How important can one species be to an ecosystem?

Toucan Story from npr.com Toucan Story in Prezi

Types of SuccessionPrimary Succession

Secondary Succession- occurs after a natural disaster such as forest fire or volcanic eruption

Pioneer species-species colonizes newly exposed land first (spores or seeds)

I SpeciesA. Climax community-is a stable community the

“completes” the successin process.B. Keystone Species- a species that has a

particularly strong influence or far-reaching impact. Some species have a greater influence than

others u ually top of the food chain carnivores Examples: ???

Invasive species- a nonnative organism thta spreads widely in a community. Can cause a massive disruptance in a community.

Examples: Austrailian Rabbits, Boa Constrictors, Zebra Mussles...others????

Are huamns an invsaive species?

Carbon CycleGood:• Provides CO2 for plants

photosynthesis and respiration

Bad:• Excess create Global warming• Deforestation allows for more CO2 in

air• Increased CO2 in oceans causing

oceans to become acidic

Nitrogen CycleGood:• Provides mineral for plant

growth• Given off by bacteria• 78% of our air

Bad:• Nitrous oxide Released from

cars/factories and creates smog• Nitrous oxide creates acid rain• Nitrogen Runoff Create eutrophication

and dead zones in our bodies of water

Phosphorus CycleGood:• Provides mineral for plant

growth• Used as fertilizers• Found in feces

Bad:• Farm Runoff is leading cause for water

destruction• Phosphorus Runoff Create eutrophication

and dead zones in our bodies of water

The Happening

What was the cause the of death to humans? What was secreted and how did it thravel through the air?

Is it possible for the Earth or Earth’s species to fight back against something that is threatening it, such as an animal fights of a virus?

Gaia Hypothesis What is the Gaia hypothesis? What events on earth have

demonstrated or supported this theory? Do YOU believe this theory, why or why

not? Use an example to support your ideas.

Review for TEST!!!! Will include content from BOTH power

points. Two-day Exam