2009 ECOLOGY 2009 ECOLOGY (B&C)(B&C)

KAREN LANCOURKAREN LANCOUR

National Bio Rules National Bio Rules Committee ChairmanCommittee Chairman

karenlancour@charter.net

EVENT COMPONENTS Ecology Content – 2009Ecology Content – 2009

Principles of Ecology (about 50 %) Deserts and Grasslands of North

America (about 50%) Process skillsProcess skills in data, graph and

diagram analysis Event parametersEvent parameters

Non-programmable calculators No reference materials

ECOLOGY AND ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT

ECOLOGYECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another and with their environment

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components • ABIOTICABIOTIC – non-living component or – non-living component or

physical factors as soil, rainfall, physical factors as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperaturessunlight, temperatures

• BIOTICBIOTIC – living component are – living component are other organismsother organisms.

ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

INDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL – individual organisms POPULATIONPOPULATION – organisms of same

species in same area (biotic factors) COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY – several populations in

same area (biotic factors) ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM – community plus

abiotic factors BIOSPHEREBIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on

earth

ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS

Homeostasis Homeostasis – delicate balance– delicate balance Components Components

Physiological Ecology Physiological Ecology Temperature and Water BalanceTemperature and Water Balance Light and Biological CyclesLight and Biological Cycles Physiological Ecology and Physiological Ecology and

ConservationConservation

ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS

Properties of populationsProperties of populations Patterns of distribution and densityPatterns of distribution and density Intraspecific competitionIntraspecific competition Population dynamicsPopulation dynamics Growth and regulationGrowth and regulation Altering population growthAltering population growth Human impactHuman impact

Growth Curves

Human Population

Survival Curves SurvivorshipSurvivorship is the percentage is the percentage

of remaining survivors of a of remaining survivors of a population over time; usually population over time; usually shown graphicallyshown graphically. .         Type I survivorship curveType I survivorship curve: : most individuals live out their most individuals live out their life span and die of old age life span and die of old age (e.g., humans). (e.g., humans).         Type II survivorship curveType II survivorship curve: : individuals die at a constant individuals die at a constant rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and perennial plants). perennial plants).           Type III survivorship curveType III survivorship curve: : most individuals die early in most individuals die early in life life (e.g., fishes, (e.g., fishes, invertebrates, invertebrates, and plants). and plants).

ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES

Closed vs. Open communitiesClosed vs. Open communities Closed – Closed – sharp boundariessharp boundaries Open – Open – Lack boundariesLack boundaries

Species abundance and diversitySpecies abundance and diversity Trophic Structure of CommunitiesTrophic Structure of Communities

Food chainsFood chains Food webFood web Trophic pyramidTrophic pyramid

INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES

InteractionsInteractions Interspecific competitionInterspecific competition PredationPredation ExploitationExploitation SymbiosisSymbiosis

Types of Species Interactions

NeutralNeutral – two species do not interact – two species do not interact MutualismMutualism – both benefit – both benefit CommensalismCommensalism – one benefits, other – one benefits, other

neutral neutral ParasitismParasitism – one benefits, one – one benefits, one

harmedharmed

but not killed but not killed PredationPredation – one benefits, other killed – one benefits, other killed

Predator - Prey Relationship

Food Chain rose plantrose plant aphidsaphids beetlebeetle chameleonchameleon

hawkhawk

Producer 1st order Consumer or Herbivore 2nd order Consumer or 1st order Carnivore 3rd order Consumer or 2nd order Carnivore 4th order Consumer or 3rd order Carnivore Decomposers – consume dead and

decaying matter

Food Web

ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS

Energy Flow Energy Flow Energy Flow PyramidsEnergy Flow Pyramids Bio-mass PyramidsBio-mass Pyramids

Community Succession and Community Succession and StabilityStability

Nutrient Recycling Nutrient Recycling – nutrient – nutrient cycles cycles

Energy vs Nutrient Nutrients –

cyclic

(Biogeochemical Cycles)

Energy flow – one way

Ecologic Pyramids

Ecological pyramidEcological pyramid - - a graph representing 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 pyramidNumbers pyramid - - compares the number of compares the number of individuals in each trophic levelindividuals in each trophic level. .

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

Energy pyramidEnergy pyramid - - compares the total amount 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 kilocaloriesenergy is usually measured in kilocalories. .

Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow Pyramids

Biogeochemical Cycles Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Biosphere Types of Ecological SpheresTypes of Ecological Spheres

BiosphereBiosphere LithosphereLithosphere HydrosphereHydrosphere AtmosphereAtmosphere

Biogeochemical Cycles Biogeochemical Cycles Disruption of BiosphereDisruption of Biosphere Specie Extinction & Biosphere Specie Extinction & Biosphere

DestructionDestruction

ECOLOGY OF BIOMES

Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate Types of BiomesTypes of Biomes

Aquatic biomesAquatic biomes Terrestrial biomesTerrestrial biomes

09 – Biomes of North America 09 – Biomes of North America DesertsDeserts GrasslandsGrasslands

Adaptations of Plants & Animals

Not intended to be a taxonomic Not intended to be a taxonomic event event

Emphasis on adaptations of Emphasis on adaptations of common plants and animals to common plants and animals to each biomeeach biome

Common members of food chains Common members of food chains and food webs of each biomeand food webs of each biome

Limiting factors for each biomeLimiting factors for each biome

Deserts Regions of low, sparse Regions of low, sparse

vegetation with minimal vegetation with minimal precipitation and precipitation and humidityhumidity

Food webFood web Special adaptationsSpecial adaptations Plant and animals Plant and animals Temperature variationsTemperature variations Special environmental Special environmental

issues issues Effect of human Effect of human

populationspopulations

Deserts – Abiotic Features Regions of low, sparse vegetation Regions of low, sparse vegetation

with minimal precipitation and with minimal precipitation and humidity high temperatures during humidity high temperatures during some of the year and great daily some of the year and great daily temperature fluctuations temperature fluctuations

Cover 1/5 of earth’s land surfaceCover 1/5 of earth’s land surface Scarcity of water – less than 25 cm Scarcity of water – less than 25 cm

(10 inches) of precipitation per (10 inches) of precipitation per yearyear

Water loss – tendency for water loss Water loss – tendency for water loss may exceed annual rainfallmay exceed annual rainfall

Deserts – Abiotic factors

Relatively poor soil qualityRelatively poor soil quality – high high mineral content but little organic mineral content but little organic mattermatter

Intense solar radiation – strong Intense solar radiation – strong tendency to lose water by tendency to lose water by evaporationevaporation

Temperature variation – daytime over Temperature variation – daytime over 120 degrees and drop as sunsets120 degrees and drop as sunsets

Winters – may be coldWinters – may be cold

Deserts – Plants Succulent plants – “juicy plants” Succulent plants – “juicy plants”

as cacti store water, spines are as cacti store water, spines are remnants of leavesremnants of leaves

Annuals – dormant during dry Annuals – dormant during dry season, germinate and grow season, germinate and grow rapidly to seed after rainsrapidly to seed after rains

Desert shrubsDesert shrubs – have small thick – have small thick leaves with sunken stomatesleaves with sunken stomates

Desert – Plant Adaptations Succulents store water in stems – no Succulents store water in stems – no

stomates to lose water – green stems stomates to lose water – green stems functions of leaves – spines thought to be functions of leaves – spines thought to be remnant leavesremnant leaves

Annuals have short life cycle of flower to Annuals have short life cycle of flower to seed after rain – seeds during dry timesseed after rain – seeds during dry times

Shrubs have small thick leaves with Shrubs have small thick leaves with sunken stomates with widely branching sunken stomates with widely branching roots which rapidly collect moisture or roots which rapidly collect moisture or deep tap roots to underground moisture deep tap roots to underground moisture as mesquite. as mesquite.

Some depend upon animals digestion for Some depend upon animals digestion for dispersal of seeds dispersal of seeds

Deserts – Animals

Insects and scorpionsInsects and scorpions Lizards and SnakesLizards and Snakes Birds – from hummingbirds to Birds – from hummingbirds to

roadrunnersroadrunners BatsBats Small mammals as rodents Small mammals as rodents Larger mammals as coyotesLarger mammals as coyotes

Deserts – Animal Adaptations

Burrow for protection from heat Burrow for protection from heat Conserve water loss from evaporation,Conserve water loss from evaporation, exhalation, elimination of body wasteexhalation, elimination of body waste Nocturnal activity when cooler or Nocturnal activity when cooler or

hide/burrow during day to protect from hide/burrow during day to protect from heat heat

Many cold blooded insects and reptilesMany cold blooded insects and reptiles Exoskeletons or scalesExoskeletons or scales

Deserts - Animal Adaptations

Lizards & scorpions – no glands in Lizards & scorpions – no glands in skin so do not sweat skin so do not sweat

Mammals – panting & large ears – Mammals – panting & large ears – nocturnal hungers – hearing - nocturnal hungers – hearing - many lack sweat glands many lack sweat glands

Concentrate waste as urea or Concentrate waste as urea or crystallized uric acid crystallized uric acid

Become sluggish during intense Become sluggish during intense heat heat

Types of Deserts

HotHot - Arid regions with little or no - Arid regions with little or no annual precipitation, usually rain, no annual precipitation, usually rain, no snow or frost snow or frost

WarmWarm - Arid regions where - Arid regions where precipitation falls seasonally principally precipitation falls seasonally principally as rain, some snow and frost each yearas rain, some snow and frost each year

ColdCold - Arid regions where precipitation - Arid regions where precipitation falls sparingly principally as snow and falls sparingly principally as snow and permafrost is not a factorpermafrost is not a factor

Deserts of North America Warm DesertWarm Desert – –

Mojave DesertMojave Desert Warm DesertWarm Desert – –

Sonoran DesertSonoran Desert Warm DesertWarm Desert – –

Chihuahuan DesertChihuahuan Desert Cold DesertCold Desert – –

Intermountain West Intermountain West or Great Basinor Great Basin

Environmental Concerns – Deserts

Many endangered, rare and unusual Many endangered, rare and unusual plants and animals live in the desertplants and animals live in the desert..

Slow to recover from habitat Slow to recover from habitat damagedamage

Desert expansionDesert expansion – growth of growth of deserts in parts of the worlddeserts in parts of the world

Flooding problems during rainsFlooding problems during rains Competition of man for limited water Competition of man for limited water

supplysupply

Grasslands of North America

Grasslands – Abiotic factors

Moderate temperature with notable Moderate temperature with notable extremes: -20° F to 110° F common, and extremes: -20° F to 110° F common, and even colder temperatures in the northeven colder temperatures in the north

Precipitation is too low to support trees Precipitation is too low to support trees but too great for deserts to form but too great for deserts to form

Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm)cm)

Scattered rain and lightening common in Scattered rain and lightening common in summer months ("convection storms") summer months ("convection storms") with more general rains and snows in with more general rains and snows in winter monthswinter months

Fire a major factor in maintaining biomeFire a major factor in maintaining biome Droughts may be severeDroughts may be severe

Grasslands – Plants Grasses are major producer with several Grasses are major producer with several

genera and species common but usually genera and species common but usually with one or two dominate with one or two dominate

Herbs and legumes (nitrogen fixing) Herbs and legumes (nitrogen fixing) among the grassesamong the grasses

Many plants possess rhizomes Many plants possess rhizomes (underground stems) and are wind (underground stems) and are wind pollinatedpollinated

Soils generally fertile, deep and rich in Soils generally fertile, deep and rich in nutrients (Bread baskets of the world)nutrients (Bread baskets of the world)

Growing season of 120-200 daysGrowing season of 120-200 days Generally flat to rolling topographyGenerally flat to rolling topography

North American Grassland (Prairie) types

Grasslands (Prairies) of North America

Tall-grass PrairieTall-grass Prairie: eastern unit – nearest to Eastern Deciduous : eastern unit – nearest to Eastern Deciduous Forests Forests

Tall grasses (3-4 ft or 1-1.5 m tall) with roots up to 6 feet deepTall grasses (3-4 ft or 1-1.5 m tall) with roots up to 6 feet deep 24-40 in (65-100 cm) precipitation annually24-40 in (65-100 cm) precipitation annually

Mid-grass PrairieMid-grass Prairie: between Tall Grass and Short Grass – gradual : between Tall Grass and Short Grass – gradual change change

Grasses to 4 ft (1.5 m) tall, mixture of sod and "bunch" Grasses to 4 ft (1.5 m) tall, mixture of sod and "bunch" grasses.grasses.

14-25 in (35-65 cm) precipitation annually14-25 in (35-65 cm) precipitation annually Short-grass PrairieShort-grass Prairie: western element, largest. Nearest to deserts of : western element, largest. Nearest to deserts of

west US west US Short grasses (less than 20 in or 50 cm tall)Short grasses (less than 20 in or 50 cm tall) About 10 in precipitation annually.About 10 in precipitation annually.

Conservation ConcernsConservation Concerns:: Majority of tall- and mid-grass prairie are now farmland.Majority of tall- and mid-grass prairie are now farmland.

Short-grass prairie is grazed, some areas are now Short-grass prairie is grazed, some areas are now overgrazedovergrazed

Grasslands (Prairie) in North America

Grassland (Prairie)Plant Adaptations

Native plants are perennials while Native plants are perennials while crop grains are annualscrop grains are annuals

Grasses have three strata – roots, Grasses have three strata – roots, growth at ground level, and taller growth at ground level, and taller foliage foliage

Half of growth may be below groundHalf of growth may be below ground Grazed taller foliage will grow backGrazed taller foliage will grow back Taller foliage above ground adapted Taller foliage above ground adapted

to withstand strong winds, fires, to withstand strong winds, fires, extreme temperature changesextreme temperature changes

Grasslands – Animal Dominated by grazing animals (deer, Dominated by grazing animals (deer,

antelope, buffalo - once common but antelope, buffalo - once common but now rarely native to the range)now rarely native to the range)

Herds (safety in numbers) Herds (safety in numbers) Burrowing small animals (colonies Burrowing small animals (colonies

as prairie dogs)as prairie dogs) Rodents and Jack Rabbits Rodents and Jack Rabbits Flight song birds – strong fliersFlight song birds – strong fliers Insects esp. grasshoppersInsects esp. grasshoppers

Grassland (Prairie) Animal adaptations

Long distance vision for predator & preyLong distance vision for predator & prey Eyes of grazing animals well above snoutEyes of grazing animals well above snout Many are built for speed – live in herds or Many are built for speed – live in herds or

coloniescolonies Small creatures can stand on haunchesSmall creatures can stand on haunches Some hop up and down or hop long distances Some hop up and down or hop long distances Camouflage colorationCamouflage coloration Underground burrowsUnderground burrows Birds – strong fliers (strong winds), flight song Birds – strong fliers (strong winds), flight song

birds to attract mates in air, nest in tall grass birds to attract mates in air, nest in tall grass

Grassland (Prairie)Environmental Concerns

Most disturbed biome – farming & Most disturbed biome – farming & domestic grazing with fencesdomestic grazing with fences

Annuals replace perennials with Annuals replace perennials with annual soil disturbance by the plowannual soil disturbance by the plow

Overgrazing problems – “dust bowl”Overgrazing problems – “dust bowl” Biodiversity disturbed – extinct & Biodiversity disturbed – extinct &

endangered speciesendangered species Fire allowed vs fire control Fire allowed vs fire control Native grasslands being Native grasslands being

reintroduced reintroduced