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Ecology and Ecological Health. Ecology Defined Biochemical Cycles: The Carbon Cycle Energy Flow Through a Community or Ecosystem Symbiotic Relationships Ecological Succession Environmental Problems and Issues Deforestation Eutrophication Water pollution Biomagnification Air pollution
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Ecology and Ecological Health • Ecology Defined • Biochemical Cycles: The Carbon Cycle • Energy Flow Through a Community or Ecosystem • Symbiotic Relationships • Ecological Succession • Environmental Problems and Issues • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
Ecology = Study of the interaction of living and non-living things Sun Biotic (living) factors Abiotic (non-living factors)
Food Chain Less biomass, fewer organisms Quaternary consumer- carnivore Tertiary consumer –carnivore Secondary consumer-carnivore Primary consumer-herbivore Primary producer (autotroph) Pyramid of energy
Quaternary consumer Tertiary consumer The more biodiversity, the more complex the food web and the more stable the community is.
Symbiotic Relationships Flea sucking blood from a dog Barnacles on a whale Mycorrhizal fungi on pine seedling roots Lamprey eels attached to fish Ants living on an acacia tree Clown fish among sea anemone tentacles Parasitism One party benefits One party is harmed Commensalism One party benefits One party is unaffected Mutualism Both parties benefit
Ecological Succession Primary succession: progressive replacement of communities starting with bare rock (no soil); e.g after a glacier recedes Secondary succession: replacement of communities starting with soil but no vegetation (e.g. after forest fire, bulldozing)
Human Impact and Global Concerns • Flow of Energy; Food Chains • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
EutrophicationFertilizer run-off stimulates plant growth, decomposition, and loss of oxygen
Sewage Treatment Encourages Eutrophication in a Controlled Setting to Reduce Nitrates and Phosphates
Human Impact and Global Concerns • Flow of Energy; Food Chains • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
Biomagnification of Pollutant Concentrations Pollutants are toxic in high concentrations per gram of tissue
Human Impact and Global Concerns • Flow of Energy; Food Chains • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
Damaging Effects of UV Light from Chlorofluorocarbon Destruction of Ozone
Carbon Dioxide and World Average Temperature Increases
The Greenhouse Effect of Carbon Dioxide Biggest contributor to atmospheric CO2
Human Impact and Global Concerns • Flow of Energy; Food Chains • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
Loss of Biodiversity Makes Ecosystems More Fragile Loss of habitat, introduction of alien species Increasing likelihood of catastrophic failure of ecosystem
Population Density: The Major Factor in Environmental Impact The US “Lower 48” land mass The US “Lower 48” scaled on population density
Human Impact and Global Concerns • Flow of Energy; Food Chains • Deforestation • Eutrophication • Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste • Biomagnification • Air pollution • Atmospheric Problems • Acid Rain • Ozone Depletion • Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming • Renewable Energy Sources • Biodiversity Loss • Human Population Density • What We Can Do
Managing Solid Waste 1. 2 3. Precycling Limiting what and how much you buy based on packaging
Basic Steps Towards Environmental Stewardship • Reduce, reuse, recycle • Precycle, exercise product choice • Use ecologically sensitive transportation (reduce CO2, oil, antifreeze releases) • Reduce chemical use (solvents, paints, pesticides, herbicides) • Eat lower on the food chain • Advocate sustainable and renewable practices • Get involved in community habitat restoration (e.g. www.hylebos.org)