Ecology: Ecology: Energy FlowEnergy Flow

What is Ecology:What is Ecology:

scientific study of the interactions scientific study of the interactions among among same organisms same organisms

and between and between other organisms and their other organisms and their environmentenvironment

I.I. OverviewOverview

A.A. Organizational levels of ecologyOrganizational levels of ecology

B.B. Tools scientists use to study ecologyTools scientists use to study ecology

C.C. Energy Flow in EcosystemsEnergy Flow in Ecosystems

D.D. Ecological Pyramids Ecological Pyramids

E.E. Cycles in Nature Cycles in Nature

A.A. Organizational levelsOrganizational levels

1.1. OrganismOrganism: Species: Species

2.2. PopulationsPopulations: all members of the same species: all members of the same species

3.3. CommunitiesCommunities: all populations living together.: all populations living together.

4.4. EcosystemEcosystem: community + environmental factors : community + environmental factors affecting the community in the given area.affecting the community in the given area.

5.5. BiomeBiome: all ecosystems with the same : all ecosystems with the same environmental conditions environmental conditions Biosphere Biosphere

B.B. Tools used by the ecologist to study Tools used by the ecologist to study ecologyecology::

1.1. Tools can be anything (binoculars, shovels, etc) but all Tools can be anything (binoculars, shovels, etc) but all study fits into three basic approaches.study fits into three basic approaches.

i.i. ObservationsObservations

ii.ii. ExperimentationExperimentation

iii.iii. ModelingModeling

2.2. observations-any of the 5 observations-any of the 5 senses!!!senses!!!

3.3. In In 2002,2002, beach beach pollutionpollution prompted prompted at least at least 12,814 closings and 12,814 closings and swimming advisories swimming advisories at ocean, at ocean, bay, Great Lakes, and some bay, Great Lakes, and some freshwater beachesfreshwater beaches

4.4. (87%)(87%) of closings and advisories of closings and advisories in 2002 were issued after in 2002 were issued after monitoring revealed the presence monitoring revealed the presence of bacteria of bacteria associated with fecal associated with fecal contamination contamination (source unknown in (source unknown in most cases). most cases).

http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/Coastal-Ecology/Preserves/Pollution/pollution.htm

3.3. ExperimentatioExperimentationn: from the field : from the field to the laboratoryto the laboratory

i.i. Counting Counting Deer Herds.Deer Herds.

ii.ii. Pests and Pests and their effectstheir effects

iii.iii. DNA DNA assessment.assessment.

First-year Columbia University students sift through debris looking for ants during a Frontiers of Science Field experiment in Morningside Park

4.4. Modeling:Modeling: Attempt to Attempt to simulate the simulate the real conditions.real conditions.

i.i. Global Global warming warming modelmodel

ii.ii. Humidity Humidity chambers.chambers.

http://ag.arizona.edu/~lmilich/antartic.gif

C.C. Energy Flow: “sunlight is main Energy Flow: “sunlight is main source of energy”source of energy”

1. 1. Producers:Producers: a.a. AutotrophsAutotrophs (can build own food using suns energy) (can build own food using suns energy)

b.b. Use photosynthesisUse photosynthesis..

c.c. 3% energy that hits the earth3% energy that hits the earth

d.d. Store energy in sugars and other organic molecules.Store energy in sugars and other organic molecules.

e.e. ** a few use chemical energy instead of the sun ** a few use chemical energy instead of the sun (chemobacteria)(chemobacteria)

Cyanobacteria/blue-green algaeWatermelon plant

Apple trees

Carrot plant

2.2. ConsumersConsumers: cannot build own food! Rely on other : cannot build own food! Rely on other organisms for their energy and food supply.organisms for their energy and food supply.a.a. Also called : Also called : heterotrophs.heterotrophs.

b.b. Several types including;Several types including;

i.i. HerbivoreHerbivore: consumes producers (cows, rodents, squirrels): consumes producers (cows, rodents, squirrels)

ii.ii. CarnivoreCarnivore: consumes herbivores or other carnivores : consumes herbivores or other carnivores (mountain lions, snakes and other meat eating animals)(mountain lions, snakes and other meat eating animals)

iii.iii. OmnivoreOmnivore: consume both plant and animal (Bears, : consume both plant and animal (Bears, chimps, monkeys, humans)chimps, monkeys, humans)

iv.iv. DetritivoreDetritivore: consume animal and plant remains. : consume animal and plant remains. (earthworm, snail, crab, sea gull)(earthworm, snail, crab, sea gull)

v.v. DecomposerDecomposer: breaks down organic matter. (bacteria, : breaks down organic matter. (bacteria, fungi)fungi)

Herbivore: consumes producersHerbivore: consumes producers

Carnivore: consumes herbivores or Carnivore: consumes herbivores or other carnivoresother carnivores

Omnivore Omnivore

DetritivoreDetritivore

DecomposerDecomposer::

3.3. Usually displayed as food chains (see figure 3-7)Usually displayed as food chains (see figure 3-7)

4.4. In nature, usually exists as a food web (see figure 3-8)In nature, usually exists as a food web (see figure 3-8)

5.5. What is the difference?What is the difference?

6.6. Each step in a food chain or food web is called a Each step in a food chain or food web is called a “TROPHIC LEVEL”“TROPHIC LEVEL”

Go to Section:

D.D. Ecological pyramids: The amount of energy or Ecological pyramids: The amount of energy or matter in each trophic level can be represented by matter in each trophic level can be represented by a pyramid.a pyramid.

i.i. Three different pyramids including;Three different pyramids including;

a.a. Energy pyramidEnergy pyramid

b.b. Biomass pyramidBiomass pyramid

c.c. Numbers pyramidNumbers pyramid

d.d. See fig 3-9See fig 3-9

Pyramid of NumbersShows the relativenumber of individualorganisms at eachtrophic level.

Biomass PyramidRepresents the amount ofliving organic matter at each trophic level. Typically, thegreatest biomass is at the base of the pyramid.

Energy PyramidShows the relative amount of energy available at each trophic level. Organisms use about 10 percent of this energy for life processes. The rest is lost as heat.

Go to Section:

E.E. Cycles of Matter: Unlike energy, matter must be Cycles of Matter: Unlike energy, matter must be used over and over. (water and nutrients)used over and over. (water and nutrients)1.1. Water cycle: Water cycle:

a)a) EvaporationEvaporation

b)b) Transpiration, perspirationTranspiration, perspiration

c)c) CondensationCondensation

d)d) Precipitation: rain, snow, sleetPrecipitation: rain, snow, sleet

e)e) RunoffRunoff

a)a) Seepage.Seepage.

b)b) See figure 3-11See figure 3-11

Condensation

Seepage

Runoff

Precipitation

TranspirationEvaporation

RootUptake

Water Cycle

2.2. Carbon cycle: key nutrient to all living systemsCarbon cycle: key nutrient to all living systemsa)a) All organic molecules contain carbonAll organic molecules contain carbon

b)b) Photosynthesis, respirationPhotosynthesis, respiration

c)c) Decomposition by bacteria and fungi’sDecomposition by bacteria and fungi’s

d)d) Volcanic gasesVolcanic gases

e)e) Combustion of coal and fossil fuels.Combustion of coal and fossil fuels.

f)f) Burning of rain forestsBurning of rain forests

g)g) See figure 3-13See figure 3-13

CO2 inAtmosphere

CO2 in Ocean

Go to Section:

Carbon Cycle

3.3. Nitrogen cycle: amino acids, ATP, DNA, and RNA all Nitrogen cycle: amino acids, ATP, DNA, and RNA all contain nitrogen. A very important nutrient.contain nitrogen. A very important nutrient.a)a) Nitrogen fixation: convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. This can be Nitrogen fixation: convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. This can be

used by plants.used by plants.

b)b) Denitrification: convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas.Denitrification: convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas.

c)c) Various decomposition by living organisms.Various decomposition by living organisms.

d)d) See figure 3-14See figure 3-14

N2 in Atmosphere

NH3

NO3-

and NO2-

Nitrogen Cycle

4.4. Phosphorus also recycles. Phosphorus also recycles. a)a) Needed in DNA, ATP and RNA.Needed in DNA, ATP and RNA.

b)b) Does not recycle through the atmosphere like others.Does not recycle through the atmosphere like others.

c)c) See figure 3-15 in textbook.See figure 3-15 in textbook.

5.5. Nutrient limitations: Nutrient limitations: a)a) Growth is slowed.Growth is slowed.

b)b) Sick Lawn…Fertilize. Ammonium sulfate(20% N), Urea(40% Sick Lawn…Fertilize. Ammonium sulfate(20% N), Urea(40% N) all have a percentage of NitrogenN) all have a percentage of Nitrogen

c)c) Sick lake with to many nutrients: “algal bloom: See picture on Sick lake with to many nutrients: “algal bloom: See picture on figure 3-16.figure 3-16.

AssignmentsAssignments

Kernel labKernel lab Seed labSeed lab Chapter 2 questions 1-20Chapter 2 questions 1-20 Cycles in nature quick factsCycles in nature quick facts