What is an ecosystem?What is an ecosystem?
All the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) parts of anenvironment as well as the interactions among themAll the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) parts of anenvironment as well as the interactions among them
Ecosystems may be aquatic (water) or terrestrial (land).Ecosystems may be aquatic (water) or terrestrial (land).
Interactions may include:Interactions may include:
- producers (obtain energy by making their ownfood; plants -photosynthesis)- producers (obtain energy by making their ownfood; plants -photosynthesis)
- consumers (obtain energy by consuming theirfood)- consumers (obtain energy by consuming theirfood)
- decomposers ( get energy by breaking down deadorganisms and the wastes of living things); bacteria,fungi (mold, mushrooms,etc) , some worms, termites,some beetles, etc.- decomposers ( get energy by breaking down deadorganisms and the wastes of living things); bacteria,fungi (mold, mushrooms,etc) , some worms, termites,some beetles, etc.
Abiotic & Biotic Factors
Abiotic Factors
(nonliving)
--water- shelter
--sunlight- soil
--rocks- nutrients
--oxygen/air, nitrogen
--temperature/climate
--space, salinity, pH
Biotic Factors
(living)
--Food
-grass
-trees
-animals, insects,
-plants
--bacteria, fungi
--http://www.arkive.org/fungi//
In the diagram,
1.What are the decomposers? Producers? Consumers?
2.What organisms are competing for the same abiotic resources?
3.What is the source of energy that drives or sustains the ecosystem?
Worms, termites,
fungi (mold, mushrooms, etc.)
Arrows are pointing in the direction of what is being consumed.
(With producers and consumers, 90 % of the energy available at each level is
consumed/lost to the environment. Only 10% move up to the next trophic level.
(The greatest
amount of energy
is available at the
producer level.)
Produce food through
photosynthesis
![C:\Users\iamudd\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\1TZQWI88\MC910217033[1].png](data/images/img60.jpg)
The sun provides energy
To sustain producers
which are the foundation
of all ecosystems.
http://www.brainpop.com/games/foodchaingame/ “Food Chain Game”
Only 10% of the energy moves
up to the next trophic level.
Consumers
If removed from the food web, which organism (s) would have the greatest impact on the overall food web? Explain.
1.What are the producers? primary consumers? secondary consumers? tertiary consumer?
2.What organisms are competing for the same abiotic and biotic resources?
3.If removed from the food web, which organism would have the greatest impact on the overall food web?Explain.
Can you think of a situation where an organism
could be both a primary and secondaryconsumer? (not shown on this food web)
Use the diagram to respond to each of
the following.
1.Identify the decomposer. What are the
benefits of decomposers?
2. What other decomposers may be in
every ecosystem but are not shown
on this diagram?
3. Identify the primary consumers.
Show what is being consumed.
4. Identify the tertiary consumer for
each food chain. What does this
consumer eat?
5. Is this a terrestrial or aquatic food
web? Explain.
6. What happens when two or more
organisms coexist in the same niche?
7.Draw an overlapping terrestrial/aquatic
food chain using at least one of the
organisms shown on the diagram. Add
an organism not on this food web.
Food Web Analysis
Some worms are primary
consumers and others (in soil)
are decomposers.)
From Atoms to Biosphere
Ecosystem OrganizationEcosystem Organization
Organism (single one of species)Organism (single one of species)
Mushrooms Polar Bears Snakes Mushrooms Polar Bears Snakes
Coyotes Prairie Dogs Elephants Coyotes Prairie Dogs Elephants
4 Populations (same species)4 Populations (same species)
Elk PopulationElk Population
Cacti PopulationCacti Population
Elephant PopulationElephant Population
Gorilla PopulationGorilla Population
Communities (many populations)Communities (many populations)
What communities are present in each of these ecosystems? What communities are present in each of these ecosystems?
Marine (aquatic) Ecosystem Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecosystems Marine (aquatic) Ecosystem Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecosystems
Terrestrial Ecosystem Aquatic (estuary) Ecosystems Terrestrial Ecosystem Aquatic (estuary) Ecosystems
Ecosystems make up the biosphere.Ecosystems make up the biosphere.
Earth is the only planet on which life exists. It consists of three components Lithosphere
(Land), Hydrosphere (Water) and Atmosphere (Air). The life supporting zone of the
earth where atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere meet, interact and make life possible,
is known as biosphere.
An Arctic Food Web ActivityAn Arctic Food Web Activity
1.What overlapping aquatic/terrestrial foodchains are there in this ecosystem?1.What overlapping aquatic/terrestrial foodchains are there in this ecosystem?
2.What population, if removed, would have thegreatest impact on the overall food web?2.What population, if removed, would have thegreatest impact on the overall food web?
3.If the water was highly contaminated, whatorganism/population would have the highestlevel of contamination?3.If the water was highly contaminated, whatorganism/population would have the highestlevel of contamination?
4.Which organism contributes dissolvedoxygen to the water?4.Which organism contributes dissolvedoxygen to the water?
5.Which organisms may compete for the samefood source(s)?5.Which organisms may compete for the samefood source(s)?
How would the removal of algae from this arcticfood web affect both the biotic and abiotic factors?How would the removal of algae from this arcticfood web affect both the biotic and abiotic factors?
Abiotic Factors Affected
--dissolved oxygendecreases
--nutrients may go up ordown
--more CO2 in water
--water may be more turbid
--temp. may change
Biotic Factors Affected
--animal plankton pop.decreases
-silverside pop. decrease
--beluga whale pop. decrease
--cod pop. Decreases
--bacteria increase & use updissolved oxygen
**Every population is directly orindirectly affected
Biodiversity
A variety of species exist in all ecosystems.
What are examples of biodiversity in ourarea?What are examples of biodiversity in ourarea?
-plant biodiversity-plant biodiversity
-insect biodiversity-insect biodiversity
-animal biodiversity-animal biodiversity
-fungi biodiversity-fungi biodiversity
-bacteria biodiversity-bacteria biodiversity
Limiting FactorLimiting Factor
-environmental factors that limitpopulation sizes in a particularecosystem-environmental factors that limitpopulation sizes in a particularecosystem
Population DensityPopulation Density
-the number of people/organisms living perunit of an area (e.g. per square mile); thenumber of people relative to the spaceoccupied by them-the number of people/organisms living perunit of an area (e.g. per square mile); thenumber of people relative to the spaceoccupied by them
_how full an area is: the concentration ofpeople or things within an area in relationto its size_how full an area is: the concentration ofpeople or things within an area in relationto its size
Population Density: measures the number ofindividual organisms living in a defined spacePopulation Density: measures the number ofindividual organisms living in a defined space
High Population Density High Population Density
China’s Qingdao Huiquan Beach
Density – Dependent Factors
CompetitionCompetition
-food-food
-habitat/space-habitat/space
-water-water
-sunlight-sunlight
-mating (Concerns relate to genetic mutations, and the number of-mating (Concerns relate to genetic mutations, and the number of
individuals competing for a mate.) individuals competing for a mate.)
Spread of Disease: Overcrowding increases the possibility of diseasesbeing spread in a population.Spread of Disease: Overcrowding increases the possibility of diseasesbeing spread in a population.
Predation: Overcrowding interferes with the natural predator/preyrelationship in an ecosystem.Predation: Overcrowding interferes with the natural predator/preyrelationship in an ecosystem.
Parasitism: Overcrowding increases the possibility of parasites beingspread.Parasitism: Overcrowding increases the possibility of parasites beingspread.
Density-independent FactorsDensity-independent Factors
Limiting factors that occur regardless of howlarge the population is and reduce the size ofall populations in the area; mostly abioticLimiting factors that occur regardless of howlarge the population is and reduce the size ofall populations in the area; mostly abiotic
-weather changes-weather changes
-temperature changes-temperature changes
-human activities (pollution, urban sprawl, etc.)-human activities (pollution, urban sprawl, etc.)
-natural disasters (volcanoes, fires, etc.)-natural disasters (volcanoes, fires, etc.)
Urban SprawlUrban Sprawl
How may this affect:How may this affect:
water quality(surface and ground)water quality(surface and ground)
habitatshabitats
soil qualitysoil quality
air qualityair quality
noise pollutionnoise pollution
Limiting Factors in an EcosystemLimiting Factors in an Ecosystem
Density-dependent FactorsDensity-dependent Factors
-operate more strongly on largepopulations and disease-operate more strongly on largepopulations and disease
-triggered by increases in populationdensity (crowding)-triggered by increases in populationdensity (crowding)
* Competition for food, water, shelter & space* Competition for food, water, shelter & space
* Predation* Predation
* Parasitism* Parasitism
* Disease* Disease
A change in an abiotic or biotic factormay:- decrease the size of a population if itcannot acclimate/adapt to or migratefrom the change.- increase the size of a population if thatchange enhances its ability to survive,fluorish or reproduce.A change in an abiotic or biotic factormay:- decrease the size of a population if itcannot acclimate/adapt to or migratefrom the change.- increase the size of a population if thatchange enhances its ability to survive,fluorish or reproduce.
Disruptions to Ecosystems: The Human Factor
Disturbances to Physical (abiotic) orBiological (biotic) Components of EcosystemsDisturbances to Physical (abiotic) orBiological (biotic) Components of Ecosystems
Disruptions lead to shifts in all populations. This changesthe biodiversity of an ecosystem.Disruptions lead to shifts in all populations. This changesthe biodiversity of an ecosystem.
What disruptions may occur leading to a change in thephysical (nonliving/abiotic) components in anecosystem?What disruptions may occur leading to a change in thephysical (nonliving/abiotic) components in anecosystem?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddlrGkeOzsI Lake Peigneur disaster 9:54
1.What affect did this disaster have on the aquatic ecosystems? Terrestrial?
2.What affect did this disaster have on the terrestrial ecosystems?
** Include both biotic and abiotic factors when answering these two questions.
3. How would this disaster lead to possible “population shifts”? Be specific.
Disruptions to Physical(nonliving/abiotic) ComponentsDisruptions to Physical(nonliving/abiotic) Components
*Volcanic eruptions * Pollution*Volcanic eruptions * Pollution
*Hurricanes* Clear cutting*Hurricanes* Clear cutting
*Fires* Floods*Fires* Floods
*Drought * Nuclear Bomb*Drought * Nuclear Bomb
*Habitat depletion (human and natural)*Habitat depletion (human and natural)
-i.e. urban sprawl-i.e. urban sprawl
How could these events change nutrients,How could these events change nutrients,
water, light, salinity, shelter, soil, temperature,water, light, salinity, shelter, soil, temperature,
climate, etc. in an ecosystem?climate, etc. in an ecosystem?
Disruptions to Biological(living/biotic) ComponentsDisruptions to Biological(living/biotic) Components
*Volcanic eruptions * Pollution (land & water)*Volcanic eruptions * Pollution (land & water)
*Hurricanes* Urban Sprawl*Hurricanes* Urban Sprawl
*Fires* Clear Cutting*Fires* Clear Cutting
*Drought* Introduction of exotic*Drought* Introduction of exotic
**Overharvesting (non native) species**Overharvesting (non native) species
*Habitat depletion (human and natural)*Habitat depletion (human and natural)
How could these events change the biologicalHow could these events change the biological
(living/biotic) components in an ecosystem?(living/biotic) components in an ecosystem?
Preventing OverharvestingPreventing Overharvesting
Hunting seasons - Laws (ownership)Hunting seasons - Laws (ownership)
Laws against poaching- Size limitationsLaws against poaching- Size limitations
Limit on Numbers- OrganizationsLimit on Numbers- Organizations
License required- Size/types of netsLicense required- Size/types of nets
Specific places- Limits on genderSpecific places- Limits on gender
Wildlife Reserves/National ParksWildlife Reserves/National Parks
Tagging/Monitoring Programs (remote sensing)Tagging/Monitoring Programs (remote sensing)
Breeding ProgramsBreeding Programs
Identification of Endangered SpeciesIdentification of Endangered Species
How may volcanoes disrupt ecosystems?How may volcanoes disrupt ecosystems?
Producers?Producers?
Consumers?Consumers?
Biotic Factors?Biotic Factors?
Abiotic Factors?Abiotic Factors?
“The Eruption of Mt. Saint Helen”“The Eruption of Mt. Saint Helen”
Impact of Clear CuttingWhat are the impacts on biotic and abiotic factors?Impact of Clear CuttingWhat are the impacts on biotic and abiotic factors?
Impact of Introducing Exotic Species: KudzuImpact of Introducing Exotic Species: Kudzu
Kudzu is a serious invasive plant in the United States. It has been spreading inKudzu is a serious invasive plant in the United States. It has been spreading in
the southern U.S. at the rate of 150,000 acres (61,000 ha) annually, "easilythe southern U.S. at the rate of 150,000 acres (61,000 ha) annually, "easily
outpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing theoutpacing the use of herbicide spraying and mowing, as well increasing the
costs of these controls by $6 million annually.“ Its introduction has producedcosts of these controls by $6 million annually.“ Its introduction has produced
devastating environmental consequences. What do you think?devastating environmental consequences. What do you think?
Impact of Introducing Exotic Species:Burmese python in FloridaImpact of Introducing Exotic Species:Burmese python in Florida
This snake was found in the Everglades National Park, measuring 17 feet, 7 inchesThis snake was found in the Everglades National Park, measuring 17 feet, 7 inches
and over 165 pounds. She was pregnant with 87eggs. There is believed to beand over 165 pounds. She was pregnant with 87eggs. There is believed to be
thousands thriving in the moist, hot climate of the Everglades perhaps released yearsthousands thriving in the moist, hot climate of the Everglades perhaps released years
ago by pet owners or from pet shops during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Localago by pet owners or from pet shops during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Local
ordinances prohibit the import of these reptiles and allow them to be hunted.ordinances prohibit the import of these reptiles and allow them to be hunted.
How may this snake disrupt the natural food webs?How may this snake disrupt the natural food webs?
The Effect of the Brown Tree Snake in GuamThe Effect of the Brown Tree Snake in Guam
_What led to the dramatic loss of birds on Guam? Sometime in the mid to late 1940s, brown tree snakes wereintroduced to the island probably by hitching a ride on a cargo ship after World War II. Because there aren’tmany large predators on Guam, the snakes quickly took over the island. By the 1980s the birds were wipedout save for two colonies that continue to exist on a military base. To this day the snakes are still around (oneof the attempts to control them involved dropping Tylenol-laced mice from airplanes)._What led to the dramatic loss of birds on Guam? Sometime in the mid to late 1940s, brown tree snakes wereintroduced to the island probably by hitching a ride on a cargo ship after World War II. Because there aren’tmany large predators on Guam, the snakes quickly took over the island. By the 1980s the birds were wipedout save for two colonies that continue to exist on a military base. To this day the snakes are still around (oneof the attempts to control them involved dropping Tylenol-laced mice from airplanes).
_What happens to spiders when you remove birds from a tropical island? The researchers found that duringthe dry season Guam had 2.3 times more spider webs than neighboring islands that still have birds. Duringthe wet season the number of webs was a whopping 40 times higher on Guam. And the spider webs onGuam were much larger—50% larger—than those on the other islands. _What happens to spiders when you remove birds from a tropical island? The researchers found that duringthe dry season Guam had 2.3 times more spider webs than neighboring islands that still have birds. Duringthe wet season the number of webs was a whopping 40 times higher on Guam. And the spider webs onGuam were much larger—50% larger—than those on the other islands.
_Removing birds from the equation likely changed the Guam spider population in many ways including some(or all) of these scenarios: (1) since birds weren’t around to eat the spiders the spider population grew, (2) thespiders no longer had to compete with the birds to eat insects so more spiders survived and were able toreproduce, (3) the spiders didn’t have to keep spinning new webs because the birds weren’t there to messthem up anymore, so they built larger webs and put more energy into reproduction._Removing birds from the equation likely changed the Guam spider population in many ways including some(or all) of these scenarios: (1) since birds weren’t around to eat the spiders the spider population grew, (2) thespiders no longer had to compete with the birds to eat insects so more spiders survived and were able toreproduce, (3) the spiders didn’t have to keep spinning new webs because the birds weren’t there to messthem up anymore, so they built larger webs and put more energy into reproduction.
China’s Qingdao Huiquan BeachLow Population DensityChina’s Qingdao Huiquan BeachLow Population Density
Compare this picture to the previous one. If these were animals,Compare this picture to the previous one. If these were animals,
How may the spread of disease and parasites be affected by thepopulation densities?How may the spread of disease and parasites be affected by thepopulation densities?
How may competition for food, water, space and shelter be affected?How may competition for food, water, space and shelter be affected?
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What is the relationship between the hare population and the lynxpopulation?What is the relationship between the hare population and the lynxpopulation?
What role does competition play in this predator/prey relationship?What role does competition play in this predator/prey relationship?
Why is competition important in an ecosystem?Why is competition important in an ecosystem?
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*Design a poster that includes each of thefollowing:
ProducersAbiotic Factors
ConsumersBiotic Factors
DecomposersCommunities
PopulationsOrganisms
Aquatic EcosystemTerrestrial Ecosystem
Overlapping Food Chains (Food Web)
*All of the above must be labeled andillustrated.
Relationships Within Ecosystems:
-Coexistence and cooperation
-Competition (predator/prey)
-Parasitism
-Mutualism
Fungihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-kQ_I6aSAA “introduction to Fungi” 15:25Fungihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-kQ_I6aSAA “introduction to Fungi” 15:25
1.Eukaryotic (multicellular), nonphotosynthetic organisms1.Eukaryotic (multicellular), nonphotosynthetic organisms
2.Most are multicellular heterotrophs (consume food); unicellular onesinclude yeasts, molds, and mildews2.Most are multicellular heterotrophs (consume food); unicellular onesinclude yeasts, molds, and mildews
3.Reproduction:3.Reproduction:
- most reproduce both sexually and asexually (producing spores)providing adaptive advantage;- most reproduce both sexually and asexually (producing spores)providing adaptive advantage;
-with a favorable environment, rapid asexual reproduction ensuresan increased spread of species;-with a favorable environment, rapid asexual reproduction ensuresan increased spread of species;
-during environmental stress, sexual reproduction ensures geneticrecombination increasing the likelihood that offspring will bebetter adapted to the new environmental conditions.-during environmental stress, sexual reproduction ensures geneticrecombination increasing the likelihood that offspring will bebetter adapted to the new environmental conditions.
4.May attack tissues of living plants and animals causing disease;food sources may also be affected creating competition betweenhumans and fungi4.May attack tissues of living plants and animals causing disease;food sources may also be affected creating competition betweenhumans and fungi
5.Mold spores (airborne) can cause allergies in humans5.Mold spores (airborne) can cause allergies in humans
6.Are decomposers (break down organic matter)6.Are decomposers (break down organic matter)