Topic 2 Ecosystems

1. Topic 2 Ecosystems

2. Objectives • To define concepts and terms associated with ecosystems • To give an overview of how an ecosystem works and the roles of energy and carbon • To look at pyramids of number and of biomass • To look at population interactions

3. Ecology • Ecology is “the scientific study of the abundance and distribution of organisms and the interactions that determine distribution and abundance.” • Begon and Townsend 2006 • What does this really mean – try to give concrete examples.

4. Ecosystems • What do you understand by an ecosystem? • Can you name ecosystems?

5. Definition • An ecosystem describes a distinct ecological unit that consists of both the living and non-living elements within it. An ecosystem can be permanent, such as tundra or desert, or it can be seasonal, such as a wetland formed from spring rains.

6. Abiotic/Biotic factors Abiotic factors Biotic factors • Light • Soil type • Underlying geology • Temperature • Humidity • Oxygen concentration • Soil acidity • Exposure • Predation • Competition • Symbiosis • Disease • Grazing

7. Ecosystems

8. What makes up our ecosystem • Plants present • Animals present • Animals moving in and out • Bacteria and fungi present • Energy coming in • Energy leaving • Physical factors that define the habitat: heat, rainfall, soil type, bedrock, pH, exposure to wind, waves, flooding, morphology, light and shade. • Influence of man’s activities

9. Food webs • Show the interrelationship of organisms within an ecosystem as predator, prey, consumer and competitor.

10. Trophic levels • Producer • Primary consumer (herbivores) • Secondary consumers • Tertiary consumers • Top predators • Detritivores or decomposers • Omnivores – may occupy several trophic levels. • What is the original source of energy? • Give examples of each level of a food chain

11. Food chain • What does this actually show in terms of energy? • What happens to energy at each stage?

12. Photosynthesis • 1. Fixes energy • 2. Fixes Carbon • 3. Produces Oxygen • 4. Carbon/energy moves up the food chain • Some energy is fixed within the ecosystem autochthonous • Some is fixed outside and imported allochthonous • Some is exported

13. Energy transfer • How is energy passed on used? • Where is energy lost? • Understanding this, explain why farmers often choose to keep farm animals inside.

14. Energy inputs and outputs in grassland Inputs to the ecosystem Outputs from the ecosystem Migrating animals Sunlight

15. Carbon (in a lake) Allochthonous Autochthonous

16. Pyramids of number and biomass Pyramid of number Pyramid of biomass

17. Pyramids of number & biomass Data Numerical Data Biomass • Oak tree 1 • Herbivorous insects 500 000 • Predatory insects 25 000 • Small insect eating birds 100 • Hawk 1 • Oak tree 50 000 kg • Herbivorous insects 500 kg • Predatory insects 50 kg • Small birds 1 kg Hawk 100g Plot these data to produce two pyramids for the same ecosystem

18. What did you observe

19. Key terms Term Definition • Species • Bronzy inca • One of some 340 hummingbird species known in the Americas • Groups of similar organisms with similar features capable genetically and geographically of interbreeding. • There may be many similar but distinct species in a family

20. Population • Population • Mexico has hawksbill turtles populations in Baja California and Yucatan • These are separate but may mix with other populations of the same species. • A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area. • A population may be completely or partially isolated from others, or there may be extensive mixing

21. Habitat • Habitat • This Mexican scorpion is one of over a hundred species found in the country. Its habitat is caves – how can you tell? • This is the physical place in an environment where an animal lives. Its address

22. Niche • Turkey vulture • This is a carrion eating species. It eats freshly dead, not putrefying meat • It cannot cut into larger animals so must wait for the king vulture to do so • It does not kill live animals like the black vulture • This is the role it occupies in the ecosystem. It is like its job.

23. Community • The plant and animal species present on the ‘estepa’ surrounding the school form a typical community • Interacting populations of species within an area • The organisms making up an ecosystem