Ecology 1: organization

1. ECOLOGY 1
Organization
ppt. by Robin D. Seamon

2. ORGANIZATION
VOCABULARY:
ecology hydrosphere
biotic lithosphere
abiotic atmosphere
biosphere cryosphere
ecosystem
habitat
niche
species
population
community
generalist
specialist

3. It’s all connected! Changes in one affects the other:

5. Ecology-
the branch of biology dealing with the relations
and interactions between organisms and the biotic
& abiotic factors of their environment
• biotic: components of an ecosystem that are (or
were part of) living organisms
other animals, plants, bacteria, dead leaves,
rotting log
• abiotic: non-living parts of an ecosystem that
affect it
sunlight, temperature, water, weather, rocks

6. O R G A N I Z A T I O N: P L A C E
1. Biosphere- zone on Earth where all organisms
are found
2. Ecosystem- areas where living & nonliving things
interact
3. Habitat- parts of ecosystems; place where
organism lives
• Supplies all biotic & abiotic factors organism
needs: air, water, warmth, food
• Different organisms need different habitats
EXAMPLES:
canopy of forest, rotting log, intertidal pool
6

7. 4. Niche- how an organism acts within its
ecosystem to survive (its role)
EXAMPLES:
*Some plants grow on sunny rock
*Some plants grow in shade
*Worms and bacteria break down dead organisms
for energy & recycle nutrients into ecosystem
*generalist vs. specialist

8. generalist- an organism that is
able to thrive in a wide variety
of environmental conditions &
use a variety of resources
EXAMPLE: opossums eat
almost anything
specialist- organisms that
with very specific
requirements to live
EXAMPLE: kaolas eat only
eucalyptus leaves
8

9. L E V E L S :
LEVEL 1: Species- group of organisms that can breed
to produce fertile offspring
EXAMPLES:
Taraxacum officinale Terrapene carolina Carolina
(Common dandelion) (Eastern Box Turtle) 9

10. LEVEL 2: Population- all organisms of a species
that live in same place at the same time
• Members compete for resources
EXAMPLE:
White-tailed deer living in a wooded area; eat
twigs, leaves, grasses;
-when vegetation is low, population may gets
smaller;
-when vegetation is high,
population may grow
10

11. LEVEL 3: Community- made up of all populations
that live in an area at the same time
EXAMPLE: wetland community in NC may include
white-tailed deer, raccoons, muskrat, black bears,
turtles, snakes, fish, insects, grasses, shrubs, trees
11

12. LEVEL 4: Ecosystem- made up of one or more
communities and their nonliving environment;
biotic factors, abiotic factors
• Terrestrial- on land (forests, deserts,
grasslands)
• Freshwater- river, streams, lakes, wetlands
• Marine- oceans, salt-water
12

13. 13

14. N C ‘ s E C O S Y S T E M S
-coast - mountain -urban
-estuary -freshwater
-temperate deciduous forest

15. NC Coastal Ecosystem

16. NC Estuary Ecosystems

17. NC Freshwater Ecosystems
NC Mountains
NC Piedmont
Eastern NC

18. NC Temperate Deciduous Ecosystem
Temperate: hot/cold seasons
Deciduous: leaves shed in the
Autumn

19. NC Grassland/Savanna Ecosystem

20. NC Urban Ecosystem

21. ECOLOGY BASICS
VOCABULARY:
coexistence terrestrial
competition aquatic
cooperation mimicry
intraspecific camouflage
interspecific regulator
predation conformer
predator
prey
symbiosis
mutualism
commensalism
parasitism

22. conformer- an organism whose internal
environment is influenced by external influences
• require a constant environment: temperature,
oxygen tension, and nutrients
EXAMPLE:
many marine organisms
regulators- an organism with control of its internal
environment despite external influences
• use metabolic means to regulate their internal
environments in response to change.
EXAMPLE:
birds, mammals
22

23. R E L A T I O N S H I P S
• Coexistence- organisms that live in the same
habitat but rely on different resources and so
do not compete
dolphins and porpoises
all get along and share
their Atlantic Ocean
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/dolphins
_and_porpoises/index.html
23

24. • Competition- occurs when organisms in an
ecosystem try to get the same resources
Intraspecific- between
members of same
species
Male deer compete
for females and
territory
24

25. Interspecific- between
members of different
species
Squirrels and birds
compete for the same
resources
25
• Competition- occurs when organisms in an
ecosystem try to get the same resources

26. • Cooperation- a helpful interaction among
organisms living in a limited area; work
together
Intraspecific- between
members of same
species
Ants work together in
colonies
26

27. Mutualism: cleaner fish
consume parasites on
client fish
Interspecific- between
members of different
species
https://whalesandmarinefauna.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/whale-sharks-killed-displaced-by-gulf-oil-usa/ 27
• Cooperation- a helpful interaction among
organisms living in a limited area; work
together

28. • Predation- relationship in which one animal
hunts, kills, and eats another
Coyote: predator
Duck: prey
28

29. Symbiosis- a close relationship between two
different species of organisms living together
mutualism
commensalism
parasitism

30. MUTUALISM- a symbiotic relationship in which
both species benefit (cooperation)
some fish are cleaned by
another organism living on
its body.
AND the parasites on the fish
are food for the organism
cleaning the fish 30
Aquatic Example
S Y M B I O S I S

31. MUTUALISM: Terrestrial example
• Bees & Angiosperms
Bee
Benefits: gets food (nectar)
flower
Benefits: gets pollinated
BACK
31
S Y M B I O S I S

32. COMMENSALISM- a symbiotic relationship in
which one species benefits without hurting or
helping the other organism
Clownfish live in the
stinging tentacles of sea
anemones. They are
coated in mucous, which
protects them from the
anemone's sting 32
Aquatic Example
S Y M B I O S I S

33. COMMENSALISM: Terrestrial example
• Squirrel and Oak Tree:
The squirrel lives on/in the tree, eating the acorns
squirrel
Benefits: shelter & food
Oak tree
Not affected
BACK
33
S Y M B I O S I S

34. PARASITISM- a symbiotic relationship in which
one organism benefits and the other organism is
harmed
Fish has parasites
34
Aquatic Example
S Y M B I O S I S

35. PARASITISM: Terrestrial example
• Cowbird & other grassland birds
brown-headed cowbird is a notorious brood parasite. It will
lay its eggs in another bird’s nest so that the other bird will
hatch & raise its chicks.
cowbird
Benefits: its eggs get
hatched & raised
Other bird
Hurts: its eggs get ruined &
young out-compete BACK
35
S Y M B I O S I S

36. • Mimicry- one species mimics another for its
own protection
the harmless
banded snake eel
may imitate a more
dangerous banded
sea snake
Banded snake eel
Banded sea snake
36

37. • camouflage- having color or shape that blends
into the surroundings
-The Mimic octopus
changes shape to
resemble a Lionfish,
sea snake or a
stingray.
37

38. 38
Energy 2 UNIT CHECK 3
a. coexistence b. competition c. cooperation
d. predation e. symbiosis
1. a helpful interaction among organism in a limited area
2. organisms live in same habitat but rely on different
resources and so do not compete
3. a close relationship between two different species (could
be harmful or beneficial to one or both)
4. occurs when organisms in habitat try to get same resources
5. relationship on which one animal hunts & eats another
6. symbiotic relationship where both species benefit
7. symbiotic relationship where one is benefited & one is
harmed
8. symbiotic relationship where one is benefited & one is not
affected
a. parasitism b. mutualism c. commensalism
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C

39. ENERGY TRANSFER
VOCABULARY:
thermal radiation carnivore
chemical energy decomposer
photosynthesis herbivore
chemosynthesis omnivore
autotroph terrestrial
heterotroph marine
food chain freshwater
food web detritus
producer macrophytes
orders of consumers grazers
productivity biotic magnification

40. E N E R G Y T R A N S F E R
The Sun's Energy moves throughout Earth's
systems…
Thermal radiation: the means of energy transfer
between the Sun and the Earth as heat & light
Chemical energy: autotrophs use solar energy to
begin the process of chemical energy transfer
throughout the biosphere via photosynthesis
40

41. 41
autotroph organism that produces its own
food/sugar to live
EXAMPLES: cyanobacteria & plants in the presence
of sunlight; bacteria at hot vents on ocean floor
1. photosynthesis- process by which organisms
(plants & cyanobacteria) use sunlight to
synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water
1. chemosynthesis- use energy derived from
reactions involving inorganic chemicals, typically
in the absence of sunlight

42. 42

43. 43
heterotroph organism that must consume food
for the energy it needs to live
EXAMPLES: animals, fungi, zooplankton

44. C Y C L I N G O F
E N E R G Y
• Food chain- flow of
energy from one
organism to another
as they are eaten
• Food web- diagram
showing the possible
flow of energy in an
ecosystem; multiple
possibilities of flow
44

45. http://mcdowellscienceexam.weebly.com/ecology.html
45

46. 46
Put in order of smallest organizational Level to most complex.
LEVEL 1 SMALLEST 1. species
LEVEL 2 2.
LEVEL 3 3.
LEVEL 4 LARGEST 4.
population species ecosystem community
Ecology UNIT CHECK 1
a. biosphere b. habitat c. niche
d. Ecosystem e. food chain f. food web
population
5. areas where living & nonliving things interact
6. parts of ecosystems; place where organism lives
7. zone on Earth where all organisms are found
8. how an organism acts within its ecosystem to survive
9. flow of Energy from one organism into another
10. all possible flows of Energy in an ecosystem
community
ecosystem
A
B
C
D
E
F

47. Primary producer-
plant or bacteria
Primary consumer-
herbivore
Secondary consumer-
carnivore
Tertiary consumer-
Quaternary consumer
T R O P H I C L E V E L S :
47

48. MARINE
ECOSYSTEMS:
Most autotrophic
production and grazing
is controlled by
microscopic organisms
rather than the larger
predators in the food
web
TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEMS:
Most autotrophic
production is done by
plants and grazing done
by large herbivores on
land
A U T O T R O P H S
48

49. ~ Energy is used by
the organism below
it on the pyramid.
~ 10% of Energy is
passed to the next
organism
Decomposers return molecules
to soil and atmosphere 49

50. 50

51. MOST PRODUCTIVITY IS WHERE?
MARINE
ECOSYSTEMS:
-estuaries & ecosystems
closest to shore: most
productive
-open ocean: less
productivity except at
upwellings
-bottom ocean:
dependent upon
surface detritus
TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEMS:
-ecosystems with warm
climates and adequate
resources including
water: Rainforest
51

52. MARINE
ECOSYSTEMS:
-detritus supports
microbes & bacteria
-macrophytes (large
algae) support first
order consumers
-grazers eat algal
blooms
-predators keep fish
population in check
TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEMS:
Most autotrophic
production is done by
plants and grazing done
by large herbivores on
land
-predators keep
herbivores in check
B A L A N C E S
52

53. 53
1. plants 5. temperature, weather
2. light 6.microbes
3. water 7. excretions & remains
4. animals 8. soil
B = biotic factor A = abiotic factor
Energy 2 UNIT CHECK 2
C = consumer P = producer D = decomposer
9. grass
10. bacteria at hot vents
11. pig
12. deer
13. Oak tree
14. human
15. mushroom
B
A B
B
A
A
B
A
P
P
P
C
C
C
D

54. C Y C L E S
Carbon cycle- cycling of the element C throughout
the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and
hydrosphere using the following processes:
• Photosynthesis- autotrophs use sunlight to
convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose
• Cellular respiration- all cells use this process of
converting glucose into usable energy ATP
• Decomposition- breaking down of organic
matter back into smaller elements/molecules
• Combustion- burning of organic matter, creating
a chemical reaction producing heat 54

55. photosynthesis, cellular respiration, decomposition, combustion
55
CC VIDEO #1 : Why Carbon
is a Tramp (12 min)

56. C Y C L E S
Nitrogen Cycle- cycling of the element N
throughout the biosphere, lithosphere,
atmosphere, and hydrosphere using the following
processes:
• Nitrogen fixation- process by which bacteria
convert atmospheric N into a usable form for
plants to uptake; lightning strikes can also do it
• Denitrification- process by which bacteria
convert N into atmospheric N2
56

57. Nitrogen fixation, Nitrification, Assimilation
Ammonification, Denitrification
57

58. C Y C L E S
Phosphorus Cycle- cycling of the element P
throughout the biosphere, lithosphere,
atmosphere, and hydrosphere through
assimilation of it by plants from the soil,
throughout the energy web, and decomposition
into the lithosphere again
58

59. plant assimilation
energy web transfer
decomposition
59

60. Biotic magnification-
increasing
concentration of a
substance, such as a
toxic chemical, in the
tissues of tolerant
organisms at
successively higher
levels in a food
chain.
60

61. MERCURY IN FISH
• Coal burning and mining of iron, can
contaminate water sources
• mercury levels increase through predation
with each order of the energy pyramid
• We eat fish!!!

62. 62
Energy 2 UNIT CHECK 4
1. Burning of organic matter to release C
2. Autotrophs use sunlight to create sugar C6H12O6
3. breaking down of organic matter releasing C
4. all cells use this process to convert glucose into ATP
a. photosynthesis b. cellular respiration
c. decomposition d. combustion
CARBON CYCLE
NITROGEN CYCLE
5. Bacteria convert N into atmospheric N2
6. Bacteria convert atmospheric N2 into usable form for plants
a. Nitrogen fixation b. Denitrification
ECOSYSTEMS
7. Ecosystem in ocean _____________
8. Ecosystem in or on water ______________
9. Ecosystem in or on land _____________
C
D
A
B
B
A
Marine
Aquatic
Terrestrial

63. POPULATIONS
VOCABULARY:
extinction immigration
endangered emigration
adaptation migration
acclimation
US Endangered Species Act
population density exponential curve
carrying capacity logistic curve
restricted growth
unrestricted growth
death/birth rate
migration

64. R E S P O N D I N G T O C H A N G E
Environments change, therefore
populations change:
US Endangered Species Act (1973) defines:
endangered- a species in danger of extinction
throughout all or significant portions of its range
threatened- a species likely to become endangered
within the forseeable future
extinction- termination of a species; there are no
more
64

65. R E S P O N D I N G T O C H A N G E
There are constant fluctuations in environment
(light, temperature, moisture, pH, salinity,)
How do organisms avoid death or extinction of
species?
1. Adaptation- genetic change in species or
population that occurs over many generations
OR
2. Acclimation- occurs within the lifetime of the
individual; not heritable
65

66. P O P U L A T I O N S
carrying capacity- the number of organisms an
area can support without environmental
degradation
Restricted growth
• low food supply
• lack of space
Unrestricted growth- how a population grows
when there is unlimited resources

67. Population density- number of organisms in an
area divided by the amount of area
1. Death/birth rate
- used to help calculate population size
2. Migration is the movement of individuals of a
species from one place to another
• Immigration- influx of individuals into an area
• Emigration- exit of individuals from one region
to another

68. Exponential Curve-
(J-curve) occurs when there is
no limit to population size
Logistic Curve-
(S-curve) occurs when there is a
limiting factor to population
growth
unrestricted
growth
restricted
growth

69. BIODIVERSITY
VOCABULARY:
biodiversity soil leaching
sustainability contour farming
acid rain monoculture
global warming light pollution
ozone hole noise pollution
eutrophication
pesticide run-off
urbanization
deforestation
groundwater contamination
thermal
habitat degradation

70. Human population
• Modern humans have lived on Earth for
about 200,000 years.
• The earliest human populations were
nomadic hunter/gather populations of no
more than 15,000 people
• About 9,000 years ago: agriculture settled
populations; longer lives & more kids
• 1800 CE population was about 1 billion
• Today: about 7 billion people
How have humans affected the biosphere?

71. Biodiversity- variety of life in the world or in a
particular habitat or ecosystem.
Why is it important?
Each species no matter how big or small has a
role to play in the ecosystem. Less diversity
causes connections between species to weaken
or break, disrupting the natural harmony in
which all biotic organisms participate.

72. Sustainability - avoidance of the depletion of
natural resources in order to maintain an
ecological balance.
LABsheet: Why is it important?

73. BIODIVERSITY & HUMAN IMPACTS
Air pollution
acid rain- rainfall made acidic
due to industrial burning
of coal/fossil fuels
global warming- gradual increase
in global temperature
causing melting of ice caps
& rising sea levels, & more
ozone hole- depletion of the
atmospheric layer that
protects from UV rays: from industrial
burning
Labsheet:
HOW does this
affect
biodiversity?
How does this
alter the
population
balance?
Sustainable
practice?

74. BIODIVERSITY & HUMAN IMPACTS
Water pollution
eutrophication- runoff from farms
adds fertilizer to waters; HABs
pesticide run-off-
poisons aquatic ecosystems
urbanization- clearing of land: loss of
habitat; deforestation increase;
more pollutants
deforestation- causes muddy
run-off; warms waters, stops
photosynthesis
groundwater contamination
thermal- Power Plants & deforestation warm
waters; lowers DO content
Labsheet:
HOW does this
affect
biodiversity?
How does this
alter the
population
balance?
Sustainable
practice?

75. BIODIVERSITY & HUMAN IMPACTS
Habitat Degradation
Urbanization
-Noise Pollution
-Light Pollution
-Habitat defragmentation
-Introduced/native species
-Farming practices: soil leaching,
contour farming, monoculture
Labsheet:
HOW does this
affect
biodiversity?
How does this
alter the
population
balance?
Sustainable
practice?