Acorn barnacles are seashore animals found on rocks.

1. Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Acorn barnacles are seashore animals found on rocks. They live 1 to 2 meters above low-tide level. These rocks are the acorn barnacles’ — A) ecosystem B) community C) food web D) habitat D

2. Ecology

3. What is Ecology? Ecology: the scientific study of interactions among and between organisms (biotic factors) and their environment (abiotic factors) - the environment can be a single cell or an entire planet

4. Biosphere: contains the combined portions of the planet in which all life exists (land, water, air) extends about 8km above the surface of earth and 11 km below the surface

5. Interactions with in the biosphere produce a web of interdependence between organisms and the environment ….interdependence contributes to a dynamic biosphere To understand relationships within the biosphere, ecologists ask questions about events and organisms that range in complexity from a single individual to the entire biosphere Levels of Organization

6. - species: group of individuals so similar that they can breed and produce fertile offspring - populations: groups of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area.

7. - communities: different populations that live together in the same area - ecosystem: a collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving environment - biome: a group of ecosystems that have the same climate and communities

9. A little about elk in the Great Smoky Mountains http://www.nps.gov/grsm/photosmultimedia/video-elk.htm With your small group, discuss how the reintroduction of elk to Virginia could impact the deer population?

10. Ecological Methods Ecologists use several tools and techniques to study the living world Regardless of the tools they use, scientists conduct modern ecological research using three basic approaches: observing, experimenting, and modeling. Binoculars, field guides, DNA, radio tags, capture and release, satellites

11. - Observing: often the first step in asking ecological questions what species lives here? - Experimenting: experiments can be used to test hypothesis artificial environment in lab so conditions can be manipulated or in natural ecosystem - Modeling: ecologists make models to gain insight into complex ideas such as the effects of global warming on ecosystems (usually cover long periods of time) consist of mathematical formulas from data collected

12. Field site Experimental plots, field sites, laboratory Many sites for data collecting Tapes, compass, Global Positioning System, thermometer, sensors Tapes, compass, Global Positioning System, thermometer, sensors Aerial views, Global Positioning System, weather balloons Binoculars, microscope, telescope Satellite images Binoculars, microscope, telescope Notes, automated data storage Notes, automated data storage Automated data storage Test kits Test kits Large database, multiple sensors Mathematical analysis and graphics, statistics Mathematical analysis and graphics, statistics Mathematical analysis and graphics, statistics, simulations Ecological Methods Observation Experiment Model Building Sites Measuring Tools Magnifying Tools Written Record Chemical Testing Computer/ Calculators

13. Section Quiz The combined portions of the planet in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere, form the biosphere. community. species. ecosystem.

14. Section Quiz The combined portions of the planet in which life exists, including land, water, and the atmosphere, form the biosphere. community. species. ecosystem.

15. Section Quiz A group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring is known as a(an) ecosystem. species. biome. community.

16. Section Quiz A group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring is known as a(an) ecosystem. species. biome. community.

17. Section Quiz Compared to a community, an ecosystem includes the nonliving, physical environment as well as the community. only the physical environment of an area without the organisms. the entire biome but not the biosphere. only one of the populations within the community.

18. Section Quiz Compared to a community, an ecosystem includes the nonliving, physical environment as well as the community. only the physical environment of an area without the organisms. the entire biome but not the biosphere. only one of the populations within the community.

19. Energy Flow The flow of energy through the ecosystem is one of the most important factors that determines the capacity to sustain life. - without energy, living systems cannot function Sunlight is the main energy source for life on earth

20. A few organisms obtain energy from a source other than sunlight Some types of organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic chemical compounds -- - water from hot springs - deep ocean vents

21. Autotrophs: organisms that can capture energy from sunlight or chemicals to produce food - plants, some algae, some bacteria - called producers because they make their own food Autotrophs are essential to the flow of energy through the biosphere.

22. Autotrophs use photosynthesis to convert water and carbon dioxide into food while giving off oxygen When organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates, the process is called chemosynthesis

23. plants bacteria Bacteria perform chemosynthesis—symbiotic relationship with tubeworms

24. Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply are called heterotrophs - also called consumers There are many different types of heterotrophs: herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and detritivores

25. Herbivores: obtain energy by eating only plants cows, caterpillars, deer Carnivores: obtain energy by eating animals snakes, dogs, owls Omnivores: eat plants and animals humans, bears, crows Detritivores: feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter snails, crabs Decomposers: obtain energy by breaking down organic matter bacteria, fungi

26. Feeding relationships (who eats who) Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction from the sun or inorganic compounds to autotrophs (producers) and then to various heterotrophs (consumers). One way path

27. Arrows represent the direction the energy moves

28. Energy is passed from producers through the ecosystem by a food chain -- series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten Food chains will form a network through the ecosystem called a food web

32. Which organisms are the producers? What organisms do the marsh hawk eat? Each consumer relies on the trophic level below it for energy

33. Each step in the food chain or food web is called a trophic level - producers make up the first level - consumers make up the second, third, and higher levels Food chain ends with top predator—have few to no enemies (alligator, hawk, polar bear)

34. Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers

35. 3 types An ecological pyramid is a diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter in each trophic level Organisms use energy they consume for …growth, reproduction, respiration or energy is lost to the environment

36. Energy Pyramid: shows the amount of energy available at each trophic level; greatest amount is found in plants and least is found in the top level consumers. - only about 10% of the energy within a level can be transferred to the next level 10% rule…only 1/10 of energy or 10% is available to the next trophic level

37. Biomass Pyramid: the total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level Pyramid of numbers: shows the relative number of individual organisms at each level Expressed in grams of organic matter per unit area

38. Ecological Pyramids Energy Pyramid Shows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms use about 10 percent of this energy for life processes. The rest is lost as heat. Pyramid of Numbers Shows the relative number of individual organisms at each trophic level. Biomass Pyramid Represents the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, the greatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid.

39. Section Quiz The main source of energy for life on Earth is organic chemical compounds. inorganic chemical compounds. sunlight. producers.

40. Section Quiz The main source of energy for life on Earth is organic chemical compounds. inorganic chemical compounds. sunlight. producers.

41. Section Quiz Organisms that feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter are detritivores. carnivores. herbivores. autotrophs.

42. Section Quiz Organisms that feed on plant and animal remains and other dead matter are detritivores. carnivores. herbivores. autotrophs.

43. Section Quiz In a biomass pyramid, the base of the pyramid represents the mass of heterotrophs. primary consumers. producers. top level carnivores.

44. Section Quiz In a biomass pyramid, the base of the pyramid represents the mass of heterotrophs. primary consumers. producers. top level carnivores.

45. Section Quiz The amount of energy represented in each trophic level of consumers in an energy pyramid is about 10% of the level below it. 90% of the level below it. 10% more than the level below it. 90% more than the level below it.

46. Section Quiz The amount of energy represented in each trophic level of consumers in an energy pyramid is about 10% of the level below it. 90% of the level below it. 10% more than the level below it. 90% more than the level below it.

47. Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? In this food web, which two organisms could be harmed if the mouse population were to decline? A) Deer and caterpillar B) Wolf and snake C) Oak and grass D) Hawk and songbird B

48. Cycles of Matter Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems. Biogeochemical cycles: the passing of matter from one organism to another, or one part of the biosphere to another Movement of energy is crucial, but organisms need more than just energy….water, nutrient, minerals 95% of body is made of O, C, H, N which are common but not in a usable form

49. Matter can cycle through the biosphere because it is not used up, it is only transformed The water cycle Water moves between the ocean, atmosphere, and land - evaporation: water changes from liquid to gas to enter the atmosphere

50. - transpiration: water enters the atmosphere by evaporating from leaves - precipitation: water returns to the earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail