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Discover the intricate interactions between populations and abiotic factors in ecosystems, including logistic models, predator-prey relationships, feedback mechanisms, and the balance between stability and change. Explore how ecosystems adapt to environmental pressures and human impacts.
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Introduction to Ecosystem Ecology PP 403-404
Ecosystem Ecology • Ecosystems are the interactions of different populations (communities) and the abiotic factors of the environment Species Population Community Ecosystem Biosphere
Models the growth of a population over time • Starts off exponential (b> d) but levels off as the population reaches carrying capacity (K) • Carrying capacity (K) is the maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain • K is when b rates equals d rates or zero population growth • Limited by factors that increase in pressure as the population density increases (density-dependent factors) EX. predation, pollution, disease, resources, mates
PREY: SEA URCHINS Prey PREDATOR: SEA STARS Predator
Predation Example • One species eats (predator) another species (prey) • The relationship is cyclic in nature – ↑ in prey leads to ↑ in predators, ↓ in prey leads to ↓ in predators, and so on • The size of the predator population is always changing or fluctuating around a set point called carrying capacity
FEEDBACK MECHANISMS IN ECOLOGY • Process that uses the conditions of one component to regulate the state of the another
Negative Feedback • Negative feedback results when the a change occurs in one element that affects the other in the opposite direction • The net result produces a stable system where different forces are counterbalancing each other out creating some equilibrium.
Positive Feedback • Positive feedback is responsible for sudden or rapid changes within ecosystems • When part of the system increases, another part of the system also changes in a way that makes the first part increase even more. • Positive feedback is self-reinforcing and a source of instability that can drive the ecosystem outside of its normal operating parameters.
QUESTION: • Is the population model of the predator-prey relationship an example of negative feedback or positive feedback? • Cite one reason for your choice.
Stability and Change • Ecosystems are constantly changing and fluctuating around a set point • Ecosystems are characterized by both stability and change • Change can be a healthy component of the ecosystem but also unhealthy when influenced by human impact
TASK: Provide 2 pieces of evidence for stability or change from the Pika video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnc2y3tRmcQ