Understanding Ecosystems

Biological Levels of Organization

12 Biological Levels of Organization

Ecosystem Community Population Organism: Individual Organ system Organ Tissue Cellular Subcellular:

Organelle Molecular Atomic Subatomic

Some studies of science

• Ecology

• Anatomy & Physiology

• Cell & Molecular biology

• Biochemistry

• Chemistry

Ecological Levels

4 top levels from biological organization Ecosystem Community Population Organism: Individual

Plus 2 more larger levels

• Biosphere

• Biome

Earth’s 4 spheres

Atmosphere (atmos = vapour) Layer of air above Earth’s surface

Hydrosphere (hydro = water) all water found on Earth (including ground water)

Lithosphere (litho = stone)Hard part of Earth’s surface

BiosphereLiving surface of Earthregions where living organisms

exist

Earth’s Spheres Atmosphere

Lithosphere

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Atmosphere Acts like a blanket over earth Moderates surface temperatures Insulation prevent excessive heating during

the day and cooling during the night Blocks incoming solar radiation including

UV light

Lithosphere Rocks and minerals that make up

mountains, ocean floors, and the rest of Earth’s solid landscape

Ranges from 50-150 km in thickness

Hydrosphere All water on, above and below Earth’s

surface Oceans, lakes, ice, groundwater, clouds 97% of water on Earth is contained in

oceans

Scale Model Imagine a model of Earth as a very large

beach ball with a diameter of 1 m The diameter of the Earth is 12700 km Thus the scale in this model is

1 m : 12700 km Complete the scale model activity

Biome A collection of ecosystems that are similar

or related to each other in that the dominant form of life is the same

Canadian biomes: Tundra Boreal forest Grassland Temperate deciduous forest

Biome Research Using the textbook, make notes on each of

the Canadian biomes Have about 2-3 points that describe the

characteristic that distinguishes the biome

Tundra Most northern biome in Canada Cold desert Extremely short growing season Slow decomposition Permafrost: permanently frozen ground Active layer: surface soil that thaws in the summer in

which plant roots can grow Animals: caribou, polar bear Vegetation: low-growing plants (e.g. lichens and

moss)

Boreal forest Largest Canadian biome Harsh winters climate, rapidly changing

temperature Lots of precipitation Acidic soil due to decomposing needles, slow

decomposition Conifer trees have thick wax coating to reduce

water loss. Flexible branches and conical shape enable them to support and shed heavy snow loads.

Forest floors are shaded

Grassland (prairie) Moderate rainfall to support grass but not trees Hot dry summer, ideal for fires which maintain

grassland by suppressing tree growth Lots of decomposition Rich soil (black earth) long growing season Strong winds Animal: bison

Temperate Deciduous Forest Lots of rain +100cm Long growing season Fertile soil, lots of decomposition Vegetation: deciduous trees (e.g. maple,

oak) Layering: canopy trees (provide shade),

understorey trees, shrubs, non-woody vegetation on forest floor

Biome map

Climatograph

Climatograph

Ecosystem All living organisms that share a region and

interact with each other and their non-living environment

living component: biotic factors All organisms, their remains and their products or

waste

Non-living component: abiotic factors Physical and chemical components Temperature, wind, water, minerals etc.

Classify as biotic or abiotic Bacteria Dead leaves Sand Milk Hair Ice

Name some biotic and abiotic factors in the following ecosystems…

Examples of Ecosystems

Coniferous Forest, Albertahttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/473851/95030/Coniferous-woodland-with-Rocky-Mountains-in-

background-Alberta-Can

Examples of Ecosystems

Coral reefhttp://www.noaa.gov/features/economic_0708/images/coralreef.jpg

Examples of Ecosystems

Beaver pondhttp://home.earthlink.net/~gastropod/bvrdm.JPG

Examples of Ecosystems

Rotting loghttp://crawford.tardigrade.net/journal/album/dobbslog.jpg

Major Ecosystems Terrestrial ecosystems:

biomes Aquatic ecosystems:

Freshwater Marine

Freshwater Ecosystem

Marine Ecosystem

Activity: Ecosystem ABC’s Everything we use and consume in our

daily lives comes from the biotic and abiotic parts of our environment.

In this activity, you will reflect on our dependence on the environment for the items we use every day.

Activity: Ecosystem ABC’s1. Brainstorm a list of 10 diverse items that you have

used in the past week. 2. For each item listed, make a list of some of the

materials contained in each of them. 3. Determine whether these materials are biotic or

abiotic.4. Draw a Venn diagram of two overlapping circles

with the headings “abiotic” and “biotic”.5. Place each of the materials in one of the two circles

or in the combined region.6. Answer the questions.

Activity: Ecosystem ABCs

Abiotic Biotic

Combined

Community Population of different species that live and

interact in the same area Ecological niche: role of the species within

its ecosystem Includes what it feeds on, what eats it, how

it behaves

Ecological Niche Comparison With a partner, choose 2 organisms that are

SIMILAR Obtain approval for your choice (no two groups

can pick the same organism) Research the ecological niche of the organisms Summarize your research in a comparative chart

(example on the next slide) Compare 10 characteristics (points) Due Friday either by hand in during class or send

by email thelawofscience@gmail.com

Niche of organism 1 & 2Characteristic of niche Organism 1 Organism 2

a. Habitat

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

I.

j.

Population Group of members of the same species that

live in the same area Species: group of similar organisms that

can reproduce with each other (their offspring can also reproduce)

Habitat: area where an organism lives