Chapter 52 An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere Planet Earth

1. Chapter 52An Introduction to Ecology and the BiospherePlanet Earth

2. Chapter 52-Intro to Ecology and the Biosphere • Chapter 53-Population Ecology • Chapter 54-Community Ecology • Chapter 55-Ecosystems

3. Ecology • The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment.

4. Ecology • Integrates all areas of biological research and informs environmental decision making.

5. Organisms • All living things. • Studied at many levels.

6. Ecology - levels 1. Organismal Ecology 2. Population Ecology 3. Community Ecology 4. Ecosystem Ecology 5. Landscape Ecology 6. Global Ecology See page 1145 for definitions and examples

7. Limited by interactions between organisms and the environment. Distribution of Species

8. Environment • Abiotic Factors: non-living factors. Ex: Temperature, Light, Water Nutrients • Biotic Factors: effect of other organisms. Ex: Competition, Predation

9. Abiotic Factors 1. Temperature 2. Water 3. Salinity 4. Sunlight 5. Rocks and soil 6. Wind 7. Disturbance

10. Temperature • Effects biological processes. • Ex: • Cold – cells will rupture if they expand while freezing. • Hot – many proteins denature above 45 oC. • Point – life can only exist over a fairly narrow temperature range.

11. Water • Review the properties of water from Chapter 3. • Cells must maintain a correct water potential (keep from exploding or drying out).

12. Salinity • Salt concentration affects osmotic potential and water balance. • Most aquatic organisms are limited by their ability to osmoregulate.

13. Sunlight • Provides energy for Ps, which drives most food webs. • Plants often compete for light because of shading or absorption of light by deep columns of water.

14. Rocks and Soil • Physical structure, pH, mineral composition of rocks and soil limit where plants can grow. Ex. Se soils. • Plants limit what animals can be found in an area.

15. Wind • Effects temperature and water conditions for many organisms. • May carry abrasive particles that limit plant growth by killing the growth points. • Can change dispersal of organisms

16. Disturbance • Disturbance is often an important part of an environment. • Allows organisms to re-colonize an area. • Ex: Fire Humans Wind

17. Climate • Shapes environments and what organisms can live in a particular area. • Temperature, precipitation, sunlight and wind.

18. Global Climate Patterns • Determined largely by solar energy and the movement of heat across the planet.

19. Great Ocean Currents

20. Wind Patterns

21. Climatic Factors • Solar Radiation and Latitude • Axis Tilt/Seasons • Air/Water Circulation Patterns

22. Solar Radiation and Latitude • Changes the amount of light and energy delivered per surface area.

24. Result • Poles: less light • Equator: more light • The unequal heating causes air and water to circulate.

26. Seasons • Caused by the Earth's tilt. • Day length changes over time. • Many organisms are restricted in range by how well they adapt to changing seasons.

27. If Earth’s axis of rotation suddenly became perpendicular to the plane of its orbit, the most predictable effect would be. • No more night and day • A big change in the length of the year • A cooling of the equator • A loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes • The elimination of ocean currents

28. If Earth’s axis of rotation suddenly became perpendicular to the plane of its orbit, the most predictable effect would be. • No more night and day • A big change in the length of the year • A cooling of the equator • A loss of seasonal variation at high latitudes • The elimination of ocean currents

29. Global Air Patterns • Air rises when heated, sinks when cools. • Zones of rising/sinking are created. • Earth's rotation causes zones to "twist”.

32. Result • Air circulation patterns. • Rainfall patterns. • rising air: wet areas • descending air: dry areas

33. Biomes • Broad geographical regions with characteristic communities of organisms.

34. Aquatic Biomes

35. Fresh water Biomes • Have <1% salt concentration. • Strongly influenced by temperature and light. • Classification – based on water flow patterns.

36. Freshwater Biomes • Lakes • Wetlands • Streams and Rivers • Estuaries See Pg 1159-1160 for details

37. Marine Biomes • Cover 3/4 of the Earth's surface. • Average 3% salt. • Controlled by light and the distance to the shore.

38. Marine Biomes 1. Intertidal 2. Oceanic Pelagic 3. Coral Reefs 4. Benthos See page 1161-1162

40. Light Zones • Photic - Enough light for Ps. Red light lost rapidly as depth increases. • Aphotic - Lacks enough light for Ps and depends on food made in photic zone for energy. Part of the most extensive biome on the planet.

41. Estuaries • Where a freshwater river meets the ocean. • Salinity variable. • Very productive Biome.

42. Coral Reef • Characterized by coral. • Found in shallow warm waters. • Very productive. • High species diversity.

43. Benthos • Bottom area. • Usually fed by nutrients drifting down from upper levels. • Fairly rich in life.

44. Biomes Controlled by: • Temperature • Water • Geography

46. Terrestrial Biomes • Recognize all, but be able to describe features of 2-3 types. • See pages 1153-1156.

48. Tropical Forests • Areas covered with dense growth of trees and vines. • Climate: • Warm temperatures. • Constant day length. • High water.

49. Tropical Forests

50. Tropical Forests • Have the greatest diversity of species of any area on Earth. • Soil is usually very infertile. Most of the nutrients are in the plant life. • One of the most endangered Biomes.