Transcript Ecology - Waconia High School

Ecology
3-1: What is Ecology?
Study of relationships
between organisms
and
between organisms and their
surroundings
Understanding Ecology
1.
2.
3.
4.
Levels of Organization
Ecological Methods
Feeding Relationships
Recycling in Biosphere
Levels of Organization
• Species
– Group of organism
that can have fertile
offspring
Levels of Organization
• Populations
– Groups of individuals
of the same species in
the same area
Levels of Organization
• Community
– Different populations
that live in a defined
area
Levels of Organization
• Ecosystem
– Includes all biotic (living)
AND abiotic (nonliving)
things that are in the same
area
Levels of Organization
• Biome
– Groups of Ecosystems that
have the same climate and
similar communities
Levels of Organization
• Biosphere
– The Earth itself
(11 miles up, 11
miles down)
Levels of Organization
Ecological Methods
How can we study ecological relationships?
1. Observing – usually 1st step
•
•
Field study
Tagging/Counting
2. Experimenting – test hypothesis
•
•
Field study
Smaller artificial environments
3. Modeling – use math/formulas to help predict
•
•
Use current and past data to project trends
Often continually tested and modified
3-2: Feeding Relationships
Describes relationships among Trophic Levels
What is the ultimate source of energy
that drives ALL food webs?
Feeding Relationships
Terms to understand
1. Producer (autotroph)
2. Consumer (heterotrophs)
•
•
•
•
•
Herbivores –
Carnivores –
Omnivores –
Detritivores –
Decomposers –
3. Primary, secondary and tertiary consumers
Feeding Relationships
Feeding
Relationships
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producer
Feeding Relationships
1. Energy Pyramid – describes amount of
energy available at each trophic level
Main Point – only
10% of energy is
passed on to higher
energy levels
What happens to the other 90% of
energy?
Feeding Relationships
2. Biomass Pyramid – describes amount of
food available at each trophic level
Why would using corn (ethanol)
as a fuel not be the best choice
for our society?
3-3: Recycling in the Biosphere
• All energy is re-used in the environment
• 3 Biogeochemical cycles include
– Biological
– Geological
– Chemical
• Matter is NOT used, it is just TRANSFORMED
Recycling in the Biosphere
Water Cycle
Water to Surface
- Condensation
- Precipitation
Water to Atmosphere
- Evaporation
- Transpiration
Recycling in the Biosphere
Carbon Cycle
Carbon Uptake and Release
- Photosynthesis
- Respiration
- Decomposition
Carbon Release
- Erosion
- Volcanic Activity
Recycling in the Biosphere
Nitrogen Cycle
Denitrification
- Converts nitrates
(NO3 and NO2) into
nitrogen gas
Nitrogen Fixation
- Converts nitrogen
gas and turns into
ammonia