EcologyEcology

• What is the difference between biology What is the difference between biology and ecology?and ecology?– Biology – the scientific study of living Biology – the scientific study of living

organismsorganisms– Ecology - the scientific study of the Ecology - the scientific study of the

interrelationships among organisms and their interrelationships among organisms and their nonliving environmentnonliving environment

Why is an understanding of Why is an understanding of ecology important?ecology important?

• We may harm ourselves as a result of an We may harm ourselves as a result of an inadequate understanding of the inadequate understanding of the ecological consequences of our actionsecological consequences of our actions

• Understanding ecology is a quality of life Understanding ecology is a quality of life issueissue

Chapter 42 – Earth’s Diverse Chapter 42 – Earth’s Diverse EcosystemsEcosystems

• What is an ecosystem?What is an ecosystem?

• Why are there different types of Why are there different types of ecosystems?ecosystems?

• How do human activities affect How do human activities affect ecosystems?ecosystems?

Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems Earth’s Diverse Ecosystems (Chapter 42)(Chapter 42)

A. Definition of an ecosystemA. Definition of an ecosystem

B. Terrestrial ecosystems are called biomesB. Terrestrial ecosystems are called biomes1. Distribution of biomes1. Distribution of biomes

What determines the type of What determines the type of ecosystem present in an area?ecosystem present in an area?

• Basic requirements for lifeBasic requirements for life1. Nutrients1. Nutrients

2. Energy2. Energy

3. Water3. Water

4. Appropriate temperature4. Appropriate temperature

A Christian view of waterA Christian view of water

John 7: 37-39John 7: 37-39  37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood 37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood

and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.to me and drink.

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within himstreams of living water will flow from within him."."

39 By this 39 By this he meant the Spirithe meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in , whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorifiednot been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified..

Environment and ecosystemsEnvironment and ecosystems• Extent of vegetation in a Extent of vegetation in a biomebiome

determined by interplay of determined by interplay of rainfallrainfall and and temperaturetemperature

–Orientation of the sun determines (drives) climate Orientation of the sun determines (drives) climate and therefore type of vegetationand therefore type of vegetation

–Latitude—temperature and degree of temperature Latitude—temperature and degree of temperature variationvariation

–Air currents determine precipitation patternsAir currents determine precipitation patterns–Ocean currentsOcean currents

a. Moderates coastal climatesa. Moderates coastal climatesb. Moderates temperature extremesb. Moderates temperature extremes

–Elevation—temperature and precipitationElevation—temperature and precipitation

What factors influence What factors influence temperature and precipitation?temperature and precipitation?

Elevation, precipitation & temperature

Biomes & biodiversityBiomes & biodiversity

• Tropical rain forestsTropical rain forests– 6% of land; >50% of 6% of land; >50% of

world’s speciesworld’s species

Aquatic ecosystemsAquatic ecosystems

• Availability of Availability of nutrientsnutrients and and energyenergy determine determine the type of ecosystemthe type of ecosystem

– Freshwater ecosystemsFreshwater ecosystems• Oligotrophic & eutrophic lakesOligotrophic & eutrophic lakes

– Marine ecosystemsMarine ecosystems• Coastal ecosystemsCoastal ecosystems• Coral reefsCoral reefs• Open oceanOpen ocean• Vent communitiesVent communities

Lake ecosystemsLake ecosystems

Marine ecosystemsMarine ecosystems

Human impact on ecosystemsHuman impact on ecosystems

• Pollution of waterwaysPollution of waterways– Promotes eutrophicationPromotes eutrophication

• Over-utilizationOver-utilization– DeforestationDeforestation– OvergrazingOvergrazing– OverfishingOverfishing

• Interference in complex natural processes Interference in complex natural processes (Earthwatch, p. 890-91)(Earthwatch, p. 890-91)

1.1. nutrients, oxygen, sugar, appropriate temperaturesnutrients, oxygen, sugar, appropriate temperatures

2.2. water, nutrients, energy, appropriate temperatureswater, nutrients, energy, appropriate temperatures

3.3. water, energy, oxygen, nutrients water, energy, oxygen, nutrients

4.4. oxygen, carbon, the Sun, water oxygen, carbon, the Sun, water

5.5. oxygen, water, energy, the Sun oxygen, water, energy, the Sun

Which fundamental resources are required to support Which fundamental resources are required to support life?life?

42.03Q

1.1. plant communities are not influenced by rainfall.plant communities are not influenced by rainfall.

2.2. plant communities evolve more slowly than changes in weather plant communities evolve more slowly than changes in weather patterns.patterns.

3.3. temperature and rainfall interact to influence plant temperature and rainfall interact to influence plant communities.communities.

4.4. plant communities occur randomly, depending on where seeds plant communities occur randomly, depending on where seeds are blown or carried.are blown or carried.

5.5. plant communities are influenced more by the acidity of rain plant communities are influenced more by the acidity of rain than by the amount of rainfall.than by the amount of rainfall.

42.05Q The striking dissimilarities in plant communities found The striking dissimilarities in plant communities found in different biomes with the same average yearly in different biomes with the same average yearly amount of rainfall can be explained by the fact thatamount of rainfall can be explained by the fact that