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Chapter 4: Ecology. Environmental Science. Ecology. The study of how organisms interact with one another and with their nonliving environment. Genetic Diversity : individuals vary in their genetic makeup. Populations change in:. Size Age distribution Density Genetic composition.
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Chapter 4: Ecology Environmental Science
Ecology • The study of how organisms interact with one another and with their nonliving environment
Populations change in: • Size • Age distribution • Density • Genetic composition
Layers of the Atmosphere • Troposphere: inner layer, 0-11 miles • Stratosphere: filters UV, 11-30 miles
Hydrosphere • Consists of: • Liquid water • Ice • Water vapor
Lithosphere • The earth’s crust and upper mantle
Life on Earth depends on 3 factors: • Energy from the sun • Cycling of matter • Gravity
Solar Energy • 66% of solar energy • Warms the troposphere and land • Evaporates water and cycles it • Generates wind • The remaining 34% is reflected back to space (clouds, dust, chemicals, land)
Aquatic Life Zones • Freshwater • Ocean (or marine)
Limiting factors for aquatic ecosystems include: • Temperature • Sunlight • Dissolved oxygen • Nutrient availability • Salinity
Types of Consumers • Herbivore: plant eater • Carnivore:meat eater
Types of Consumers • Omnivore:plant and meat eater • Scavenger: feed on dead organisms (vultures and flies)
Types of Consumers • Detritivore: feed on detritus-small parts of dead organisms or feces (crabs, termites, earthworms) • Decomposers:recycle organic matter (bacteria and fungi)
Ecological Efficiency • The percent of usable energy transferred as biomass from one trophic level to the next—normally 10%
Pyramid of Energy Flow • Illustrates energy loss for a simple food chain passing a 90% energy loss with each transfer
Pyramid of Numbers • The number of organisms at each level
Biogeochemical Cycles • When the nutrients are cycled from the abiotic to the biotic and back again
Biogeochemical Cycles • 3 Types of Cycles: • Hydrologic—Water
Biogeochemical Cycles • 3 Types of Cycles: • Atmospheric—Gaseous
Biogeochemical Cycles • 3 Types of Cycles: • Sedimentary—Not Gaseous
Main Processes of Water Cycle • Evaporation: water to vapor • Transpiration: evaporation from plants • Condensation: vapor to water • Precipitation: rain, etc.
Main Processes of Water Cycle • Infiltration: movement of water into the soil • Percolation: flow of water into ground water • Runoff: movement back to the sea
Dew Point • Temperature at which condensation occurs
Absolute Humidity • Amount of water vapor found in the air Ground Water • Water stored in the cracks and pores of rocks
Aquifer • Water-laden rock Water Table • The level below which the ground is completely saturated with water
Chapter 4 Vocabulary • Ecology • Organism • Population • Genetic diversity • Habitat • Community • Ecosystem • Biosphere • Atmosphere • Hydrosphere • Lithosphere • Greenhouse effect • Biome • Climate • Ecotone • Abiotic • Biotic • Autotroph • Heterotroph • Herbivore • Carnivore • Omnivore • Scavenger • Detritivore • Detritus feeder • Decomposer
Chapter 4 Vocabulary • Food chain • Trophic level • Food web • Biomass • Nutrient • Water cycle • Carbon cycle • Nitrogen cycle • Phosphorous cycle • Sulfur cycle