Limiting Factor Limiting Factor

Anything that restricts the Anything that restricts the number of individuals in a number of individuals in a population. population.

Includes living and nonliving Includes living and nonliving features of the ecosystem features of the ecosystem

Ecologic Pyramids Ecologic Pyramids

Ecological pyramid - a graph representing Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. the pyramid with the consumer levels above.

Numbers pyramid - compares the number of Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. individuals in each trophic level.

Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level. weight of the organisms in each trophic level.

Energy pyramid - compares the total amount Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories. energy is usually measured in kilocalories.

Energy PyramidEnergy Pyramid

Only part of the energy Only part of the energy stored in one level can be stored in one level can be passed to the next- most passed to the next- most energy is consumed for energy is consumed for life processes life processes (respiration, movement, (respiration, movement, etc., and heat is given off)etc., and heat is given off)

Only 10% of the energy Only 10% of the energy available within one available within one trophic level is transferred trophic level is transferred to organisms in the next to organisms in the next trophic leveltrophic level

Biomass PyramidBiomass Pyramid

Biomass- the total Biomass- the total amount of living amount of living tissue within a given tissue within a given trophic level.trophic level.

A biomass pyramid A biomass pyramid represents the represents the amount of potential amount of potential food available for food available for each trophic level in each trophic level in an ecosystem.an ecosystem.

Numbers Pyramid Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow Biomass & Energy Flow PyramidsPyramids

SuccessionSuccession

Natural, gradual changes in the Natural, gradual changes in the types of species that live in an types of species that live in an area; can be primary or area; can be primary or secondary.secondary. Primary – begins in a place without soilPrimary – begins in a place without soil Secondary – where soil already existsSecondary – where soil already exists

The gradual replacement of one plant The gradual replacement of one plant community by another through natural community by another through natural processes over timeprocesses over time

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession

Begins in a place without any soil Begins in a place without any soil Sides of volcanoesSides of volcanoes LandslidesLandslides FloodingFlooding

Starts with the arrival of living things such Starts with the arrival of living things such as lichens that do not need soil to surviveas lichens that do not need soil to survive

Called Called PIONEER SPECIESPIONEER SPECIES

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession Soil starts to form as lichens and the Soil starts to form as lichens and the

forces of weather and erosion help break forces of weather and erosion help break down rocks into smaller piecesdown rocks into smaller pieces

When lichens die, they decompose, When lichens die, they decompose, adding small amounts of organic matter to adding small amounts of organic matter to the rock to make soil the rock to make soil

Pioneer speciesPioneer species

A group of organisms, such as A group of organisms, such as lichens, found in the primary lichens, found in the primary stage of succession and that stage of succession and that begin an area's soil-building begin an area's soil-building process process

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu

http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession

Simple plants like mosses and ferns can Simple plants like mosses and ferns can grow in the new soil grow in the new soil

http://uisstc.georgetown.edu

http://www.uncw.edu

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession The simple plants die, adding more The simple plants die, adding more

organic materialorganic material The soil layer thickens, and grasses, The soil layer thickens, and grasses,

wildflowers, and other plants begin to take wildflowers, and other plants begin to take over over

http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession These plants die, and they add more These plants die, and they add more

nutrients to the soilnutrients to the soil Shrubs and tress can survive nowShrubs and tress can survive now

http://www.rowan.edu

Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession Insects, small birds, and mammals have Insects, small birds, and mammals have

begun to move inbegun to move in What was once bare rock now supports a What was once bare rock now supports a

variety of life variety of life

http://p2-raw.greenpeace.org