Introduction to Ecology or

howeverythingisconnectedtoeverythingelse

Key Ideas in EcologyThe Levels of Organization Studied by Ecologists

Organism Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

Definition of Ecology:study of interactions between organisms and

their environmentliterally means “study of the house”Studying disturbances in the ecosystem

Increase in Lyme Disease Flowers budding earlier

Climate versus Weather“the clothes you buy versus the clothes you wear”

Reminders…. Population versus Community

One species or many Able to interbreed?

Ecosystem All living and non-living factors Biotic Factors: The biological influences on organisms within an

ecosystem Examples: birds, trees, mushrooms, and bacteria

Abiotic Factors: Physical, non-constant, nonliving, factors that shape ecosystems Examples: temperature, precipitation, humidity, pH, salinity,

availability of necessary compounds

Biosphere 20km thick 1/600th of the Earth’s diameter All organisms are found within the biosphere Living things are not distributed evenly

Energy in an ecosystemA large part of the interactions between organisms has to do with

every organisms need for energy:

All living things require energy and materials to survive

In MOST ecosystems, energy is constantly being supplied by sunlight. Exceptions: Organisms living without sunlight Bacteria in these areas

“make” their own food through chemosynthesis

Energy is NOT cycled in an ecosystem. Energy is “lost” at each level of the food chain when organisms

use it to survive Lost energy is “lost” as heat Trophic Levels In an ecosystem there is a FLOW of energy, NOT a cycle 10% Rule of Energy Flow

Climates of the PastClimate is studied through direct

and indirect methodsDirect: Actual measurements of

temperature, precipitation, ect. Indirect: measurements of things that

have been effected by climate Biological Data: trees, pollen, coral,

fossils Cryological: ice cores Geological: silt, rocks Historical

Temperatures have gone up ~ 7°C and down ~4°C causing warmer and cooler periods.

Some scientists think that this change in temperature appears to be due to changes in CO2 levels.

Factors effecting ClimateThe Sun and Variations in

Earth’s orbitThe suns temperature

does vary Sun spots

Different orbits allow for different intensities of light to hit the Earth

Change in location of continentsLand forms absorb carbon

dioxide Volcanoes

Large eruptions can release carbon dioxide and other chemicals into the environment

Feedback LoopsNegative feedback

Minimizes the effect of a disturbance and returns systems to normal state

Examples: Thermostats Shivering

Positive feedbackIncreases the effect of the

disturbance and can destabilize a system and return to a normal state may be impossible

Examples: Child Labor

Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming Greenhouse Effect: Natural phenomena that allows our planet to stay warm despite the cold temperatures of space, greenhouse gasses Global Warming: Occurring because of a thickening of greenhouse gasses, raising global temperatures

Is estimated to be 1.5-4.5 degrees higher by 2035 Caused by fossil fuels, particulates in the air Thickening on the greenhouse gasses

Why is everyone talking about CO2?What is

current sunlight?

What is ancient sunlight? Why are we

using so much ancient sunlight right now?

Solutions?Solutions?

4 Ways to Think about Climate Change

Hundreds of Years

Billions of Years

Millions of Years

Thousands of Years