p Differentiate the terms producers, consumers decomposers. P. 93 Producer = a plant which can synthesize carbohydrates using carbon dioxide and the suns energy. Actually produce their own food and food for the rest of the ecosystem Other examples: Grasses Trees shrubs Water lilies Flowers Vegetables Fruits Define Ecosystem Ecosystem = the network of relationships (interactions) among living (plants, animals) and the non-living parts (soil, climate, water etc.) in an environment. Define Food Pyramid Diagram showing each trophic level as a horizontal bar. Producers are located on bottom Higher consumers are placed on top of each other. Each bar is drawn in proportion to the mass of organisms More mass at the lower levels, less at the tophence the triangular shape! MORE LESS What happens to energy? 85-90% is LOST or USED up: maintaining the organism (Ex. metabolism, reproduction etc.) And as heat!!! 10-15% is stored: Available or transferred to other animals when it is eaten. IF NOT EATEN: Energy is transferred to the decomposers. ProducerShrub= 1 unit of toxin Consumer- eats 5 rabbits Fox= 100 units of toxins built up Consumer- eats 20 shrubs Rabbit= 20 units of toxins built up Consumer- eats 3 foxCoyote= 300 units of toxins built up Define climax vegetation p. 102 Climax vegetation is stable/dominant vegetation in balance with the climatic AND soil conditions It should change very little if left undisturbed. Best suited!!! Each ecosystem has its own climax vegetation. Example: The climax vegetation in boreal / coniferous forest. P. 102 Evergreen trees Needle like leaves Thick bark Conical shape Dense growing which blocks sun Coniferous forests World Ecosystems Different Locations Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.) Different Soil Different Vegetation Different Animals Ecosystems Climate Zones Climate zones Ecosystems Ecosystems AND climatic regions p.104 Ecosystems of the world are largely defined by their climax vegetation. Examples!!! tropical rain forest, grasslands, boreal forests, cacti, etc. Climax Vegetation is determined by climate (and soils). Therefore, ecosystems match-up with climate zones Climate zones Ecosystem zones Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession p. 104 Altitudinal succession vs. latitudinal succession The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit. The changes in ecosystems & vegetation that occur as one moves from the equator to the poles is very similar to the changes in ecosystems & vegetation seen moving from the base of an tropical mountain to the summit. World Ecosystems Different Locations Different Climate (Temp. & Precip.) Different Soil Different Vegetation Different Animals ADAPTATIONS Analyze world ecosystem map. P. 102 a. Boreal Forest & tundra are wide spread in high latitudes b. Tropical Rain Forests occur in low latitudes c. Tropical Rain forest is most predominant in South America. d. South America, Africa, Australia and Antarctica do not have tundra. e. Coniferous/Boreal forest is our ecosystem Introduction of new species? the introduction of chinch bugs when it arrived through sods imported from mainland Canada? the introduction of snowshoe hare or even the moose to the island of Newfoundland? the recent arrival of coyotes on the island of Newfoundland may have on the local ecosystem? What could be the probable impact that: Possible Effects ??? Elimination/disruption of their food sources/species. Competition for food sources may cause decline or endanger other native species that eat same food source. Diseases or DANGER may be introduced causing decline or disruption. May cause interruption or decline in economic activity related to lost/declining species. (ex. Moose & Caribou) Financial cost to subsequently control new species. May cause the CREATION OF NEW BUSINESSES to control the species, tourism etc.. The new plant/animal could be a FOOD SOURCE for the local ecosystem.