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Ecosystems and Climate. Research in Ecology. Levels of Ecology. ORGANISMAL ECOLOGY behavior physiology morphology etc. Levels of Ecology. POPULATION ECOLOGY dynamics genetics microevolution etc. Levels of Ecology. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY structure coevolution interactions Etc.
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Ecosystems and Climate Research in Ecology
Levels of Ecology • ORGANISMAL ECOLOGY • behavior • physiology • morphology • etc.
Levels of Ecology • POPULATION ECOLOGY • dynamics • genetics • microevolution • etc.
Levels of Ecology • COMMUNITY ECOLOGY • structure • coevolution • interactions • Etc.
Levels of Ecology • ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY • nutrient cycling • energy flow • Etc.
Levels of Ecology • LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY • Interactions among ecosystems • Interaction of organisms with their temporal and spatial environment
Levels of Ecology • GLOBAL ECOLOGY • Regional changes as they affect the entire biosphere
Abiotic Components • WATER
Abiotic Components • WATER • Helps create soil via erosion • Provides habitat for aquatic organisms • Animals and plants must evolve ways to maintain water balance in fresh and salt water • All life is water-based.
Abiotic Components • SUNLIGHT • Intensity • Daily duration • Angle of incidence • Spectral distribution • …all affect plants and animals living in an ecosystem.
Abiotic Components • WIND
Abiotic Components • ROCKS AND SOIL
Abiotic Components • ENVIRONMENTAL DISTURBANCE
Climate: It starts with the sun • Tropics • – equator to 23.5o (N, S) • Subtropics • – 23.5o – 30o (N, S) • Temperate • – 30o – 60o (N, S) • Polar • – 60o – the poles (N, S)
Plants Evolve Adaptations • XEROPHYTE – adapted to a very dry habitat
Plants Evolve to Fit • MESOPHYTE – adapted to a moderate habitat
Plants Evolve to Fit • HYDROPHYTE – adapted to a very wet habitat
Biomes http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm
Energy Flows • As plants photosynthesize, they create matter. • This is called primary productivity. • GROSS primary productivity (GPP) is the total amount of energy captured by plants. • NET primary productivity (NPP) is what’s left over after the plant has spent energy for work. • NPP = GPP – Respiration (NPP is like “profit”)