Ecosystem Components

Ecosystems and Food WebsWhat are the components in an ecosystem?

10 MINUTESI will come around to answer AND ask questions Ecology and LifeEcology examines how organisms interact with their nonliving (abiotic) environment such as sunlight, temperature, moisture, and vital nutrients

Ecology- study of relationships between organisms and their environment7Ecosphere or Biosphere All earth's ecosystemsEcosystem Community of different species interacting with one another and with their nonliving environment of matter and energyCommunity Complex interacting network of plants, animals, and microorganismsHabitat Place where a population or individual organism naturally livesGenetic DiversityPopulations that are dynamic groups that change in size, age distribution, density, and genetic composition as a result of changes in environmental conditionsPopulationGroup of interacting individuals of the same species that occupy a specific area at the same time

Community on human body

Type of NutrientsNutrient

Any atom, ion, or molecule an organism needs to live grow or reproduceEx: carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen etcMacronutrient nutrient that organisms need in large amountEx: phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, iron etcMicronutrient nutrient that organism need in small amountEx: zinc, sodium, copper etc11www.sws.uiuc.edu/nitro/biggraph.asp 12SunFireball of hydrogen (72%) and helium (28%)Nuclear fusionSun has existed for 5 billion yearsSun will stay for another 5-6 billion yearsVisible light that reaches troposphere is the ultraviolet ray which is not absorbed in ozone

13Solar Energy72% of solar energy warms the lands0.023% of solar energy is captured by green plants and bacteriaPowers the cycling of matter and weather systemDistributes heat and fresh water

14www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/ climch/clichgr1.htm 15Living Organisms in EcosystemProducers or autotrophs- makes their own food from compound obtained from environment.Ex: plant gets energy or food from sun16PhotosynthesisProducer transmit 1-5% of absorbed energy into chemical energy, which is stored in complex carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid in plant tissue1718Chemosynthesis-Bacteria can convert simple compounds from their environment into more complex nutrient compound without sunlightEx: becomes consumed by tubeworms, clams, crabsBacteria can survive in great amount of heat

19Consumers or HeterotrophsObtain energy and nutrients by feeding on other organisms or their remains

20ConsumersHerbivores (plant-eaters) or primary consumersFeed directly on producersDeer, goats, rabbits

http://www.holidays.net/easter/bunny1.htm 21ConsumersCarnivores (meat eater) or secondary consumersFeed only on primary consumerLion, Tiger

22ConsumersTertiary (higher-level) consumer Feed only on other carnivoresWolf

23ConsumersOmnivores- consumers that eat both plants and animalsEx: pigs, humans, bears

24ConsumersScavengers- feed on dead organismsVultures, flies, crows, shark

25ConsumersDetritivores- live off detritusDetritus parts of dead organisms and wastes of living organisms.Detritus feeders- extract nutrients from partly decomposed organic matter plant debris, and animal dung.

26ConsumersDecomposers - Fungi and bacteria break down and recycle organic materials from organisms wastes and from dead organisms Food sources for worms and insectsBiodegradable - can be broken down by decomposers

27Range of ToleranceThe range of conditions that must be maintained for a population of a species to surviveDifferences in genetic makeup, health, and age.Ex: trout has to live in colder water than bass

28Limiting Factortoo much or too little of any abiotic factor can limit growth of population, even if all the other factors are at optimum (favorable) range of tolerance.Ex: water, light, and soilNo water in the desert limit growth of plants Ex: Farmer plants corn in phosphorus-poor soil, even if water, nitrogen are in a optimum levels, corn will stop growing, after it uses up available phosphorus.

29Dissolved Oxygen ContentAmount of oxygen gas dissolved in a given volume of water at a particular temperature and pressure.Limiting factor of aquatic ecosystem

30What is the difference between limiting factor and range of toleranceLimiting factors are biotic or abiotic factors that limit the growth of a species, while the range of tolerance defines the set of conditions in which an organism can survive. - 31

HomeworkLearn about a specific ecosystem situation. Be prepared to share out tomorrow!RespirationAerobic Respiration Uses oxygen to convert organic nutrients back into carbon dioxide and waterGlucose + oxygen Carbon dioxide + water + energyAnaerobic Respiration or FermentationBreakdown of glucose in absence of oxygen

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