Ecology and Ecological Health
• Ecology Defined• Biochemical Cycles: The Carbon Cycle• Energy Flow Through a Community or Ecosystem• Symbiotic Relationships• Ecological Succession• Environmental Problems and Issues
– Deforestation– Eutrophication– Water pollution– Biomagnification– Air pollution– Atmospheric Problems
• Acid Rain• Ozone Depletion• Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
– Renewable Energy Sources– Biodiversity Loss– Human Population Density
• What We Can Do
Ecology = Study of the interaction of living and non-living things
Abiotic (non-living factors)
Biotic (living) factors
Sun
Food Chain
Pyramid of energy
Quaternary consumer- carnivore
Tertiary consumer –carnivore
Secondary consumer-carnivore
Primary consumer-herbivore
Primary producer
(autotroph)
Less biomass,
fewer organisms
Tertiary consumer
Quaternary consumer
The more biodiversity, the more complex the food web andthe more stable the community is.
Symbiotic Relationships
Flea sucking blood from a dog
Lamprey eels attached to fish
Barnacles on a whale
Clown fish among sea anemone tentacles
Mycorrhizal fungi on pine seedling roots
Ants living on an acacia tree
Parasitism
One party benefits One
party is harmed
Commensalism
One party benefits One party
is unaffected
MutualismBoth parties
benefit
Ecological Succession
Primary succession: progressive replacement of communities starting with bare rock (no soil); e.g after a glacier recedes
Secondary succession: replacement of communities starting with soil but no vegetation (e.g. after forest fire, bulldozing)
Deforestation
Human Impact and Global Concerns
• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems
– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do
EutrophicationFertilizer run-off stimulates plant growth,
decomposition, and loss of oxygen
Sewage Treatment Encourages Eutrophication in a Controlled Setting to Reduce Nitrates and
Phosphates
Human Impact and Global Concerns
• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems
– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do
Biomagnification of Pollutant Concentrations
Pollutants are toxic in high concentrations per gram of tissue
Human Impact and Global Concerns
• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste
• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems
– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do
Acid Rain
Damaging Effects of UV Light fromChlorofluorocarbon Destruction of Ozone
Ozone Depletion
Carbon Dioxide and World AverageTemperature Increases
The Greenhouse Effect of Carbon Dioxide
Biggest contributor to atmospheric
CO2
Human Impact and Global Concerns
• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems
– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do
Need for Renewable, Non-Fossil Fuel Sources of Energy
Loss of Biodiversity Makes Ecosystems More Fragile
Increasing likelihood of catastrophic failure of ecosystem
Loss of habitat, introduction of alien species
Population Density: The Major Factor in Environmental Impact
The US “Lower 48” scaled on population density
The US “Lower 48” land mass
Human Impact and Global Concerns
• Flow of Energy; Food Chains• Deforestation• Eutrophication• Water pollution: Controlling Human Waste• Biomagnification• Air pollution• Atmospheric Problems
– Acid Rain– Ozone Depletion– Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
• Renewable Energy Sources• Biodiversity Loss• Human Population Density• What We Can Do
Managing Solid Waste
1.
2
3.
Precycling
Limiting what and how much you buy based on packaging
Basic Steps Towards Environmental Stewardship
1. Reduce, reuse, recycle2. Precycle, exercise product choice3. Use ecologically sensitive
transportation (reduce CO2, oil, antifreeze releases)
4. Reduce chemical use (solvents, paints, pesticides, herbicides)
5. Eat lower on the food chain6. Advocate sustainable and renewable
practices7. Get involved in community habitat
restoration (e.g. www.hylebos.org)
Environmental Stewardship: Getting Involved