ECOLOGY = the study of the organisms and their environments.

ROOTS:Ec = environmentLogy = study ofA = notBio = lifeCarn = meat

Goal 5: Ecology

The American Environment Test: Introduction Time: 02:00The American Environment Test: What Happens To Garbage Time: 03:25The American Environment Test: Packaging Time: 02:48The American Environment Test: Preserving Trees Time: 03:24The American Environment Test: Fuel Economy Time: 03:04The American Environment Test: The Ozone Time: 00:57The American Environment Test: Water Conservation Time: 06:40The American Environment Test: Energy Conservation Time: 03:13The American Environment Test: Efficient Appliances Time: 01:00The American Environment Test: Chief Seattle Time: 02:57

Lesson 36: Levels of Organization and Interrelationships

Population = group of individuals of the same species living in the same area Community = all of the populations that interact with each other in an area

SYMBIOSIS = permanent relationship between organisms of two different species

Wha

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d of

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is d

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e?MUTUALISM = both organisms benefitCOMMENSALISM = one organism benefits and the other is not affectedPARASITISM = one organism benefits and the other is harmed

Parasite = benefits Host = harmed

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=320721AA-AF08-4A65-8E6B-9449FF94B971&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US#

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=CC65B7F5-DBCB-4466-A2CD-21A17AA4216E&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US#

PREDATION = predator feeds on prey

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/15869-behind-the-numbers-predator-prey-relationships-video.htm

Lesson 37: Factors that Limit Populations

Abiotic = non-livingBiotic = living

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3 (soil)

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Limiting Factors = anything that limits the size of a given population

Density-Dependent Factors = limits to growth of a population based on the density (numbers of individuals in a given area) of the population.• Individuals compete for resources

Amount of resources available limit the population. • Predator-Prey Ratios

The ratio of predators to prey may limit the population.

Density-Independent Factors = limit the growth of a population regardless of its size/density.

• Extreme temperatures• Cataclysmic events (tidal waves, volcanoes, floods, drought, etc.)

This terrestrial salamander (Pseudoeurycea goebeli), one of the commonest 40 years ago on the cloud forest slopes of the Tajumulco volcano, can only be found on neighboring slopes after the Tajumulco eruption.

Carrying Capacity = the largest density of a population that a given environment can support over a long period of time.

No, Earl. That’s not what we mean by “carrying” capacity!

Nitrogen Fixation = the ability of some plants to replace nitrogen in soils

www.chem.utoronto.ca

Legume = a plant with nodules that perform nitrogen fixation.

Field EcologyUsing sampling techniques and quadrate studies to determine species

diversity and monitor changes in an ecosystem over time.

www2.brandonu.ca

Lesson 38: Cycling Matter through Respiration and Photosynthesis

Carbon Cycle

Decomposers break down dead organisms and return the carbon to the soil.

Combustion releases extra Carbon into the air by burning.

Lesson 39: Energy Flow in Ecosystems

The Players:• Sun (main energy source)

• Producers (plants)• Consumers (eaters) Herbivores (plant eaters) Carnivores (meat eaters) Omnivores (plant and meat eaters)

• Scavengers (leftover eaters)• Decomposers (breakdown crew)

Who’s Who?

Food Chains

Go in ONE direction.

Food Web = a network of interrelated food chains.Some webs include both aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Energy Pyramids = shows energy consumption.Each step is called a Trophic Level.

Lose one “0” with each step up the pyramid.

Only about 10% of the energy from each trophic level is passed to the next level.

Ecology Overview 14:58 http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=95CA4CB1-965A-472F-ACA7-2967A440E17B

Biomass = total amount of living tissue

Biomagnification = an increase in concentration of any substance as it travels up an energy or biomass pyramid.

DDT = pesticide that caused the near extinction of certain predatory birds.

science.halleyhosting.com

Lesson 40: Human Impacts on the EnvironmentChanges to the Human Population affect the environment.

Birth Rate = number of births per given segment of timeDeath Rate = number of deaths per given segment of time

If the birth rate is more than the death rate = population increases.If the birth rate is less than the death rate = population decreases.

Effects of Growing Human Population

• Pollution • Eutrophication • Urbanization• Deforestation• Resource Depletion

Renewable Nonrenewable

• Global Warming

Resource Depletion 1:06 http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/15375-commons-sense-resource-depletion-and-sustainability-video.htm

Global Warming 6:53 http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/26292-greatest-discoveries-with-bill-nye-climate-changes-video.htm

Rainforest Destruction 4:30 http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/6234-tropical-rainforests-deforestation-video.htm

Current Events: Facts about Global Warming

The Problem…• Some greenhouse gases (like CO2) are necessary to keep the Earth’s atmosphere warm enough for life.• We loose greenhouse gases naturally into space at a rate that keeps the temperatures balanced.• Greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for at least 50 years. • Burning fossil fuels has increased the gases too much and the Earth can’t keep up with the balance. We’re heating up.• Earth has heated above the natural balance 1 oF over the past century and is heating even faster over the past two decades.• The difference in global average temperatures between modern times and the last ice age was only about 9 oF.• At the current rate of increase, the global average temperature will increase another 2.0 oF to 11.5 oF by 2100.

Facts about Global Warming

Is it happening?...• Typical indications of global warming include intense storms, severe droughts, rising seas, and severe weather patterns.• While different pockets of the country have experienced some cold winters locally, the overall trend is warmer winters.• A single year of cold weather in one region of the globe is not an indication of a trend in the global climate, which refers to a long-term average over the entire planet.• 100 residents of Tegua island in the Pacific Ocean were evacuated by the government because rising sea levels were flooding their island. Some 2,000 other islanders plan a similar move to escape rising waters. • In the United States, the village of Shishmaref in Alaska, which has been inhabited for 400 years, is collapsing from melting permafrost. Relocation plans are in the works.

The Effects…• Abrupt, catastrophic and irreversible consequences• A warming trend unseen since human civilization began 10,000 years ago.• Up to 88 million people will loose their homes to rising seas.• Oceans will become more acidic killing aquatic wildlife.• Scarcity of food and freshwater because plants may not be able to adapt quickly enough to survive the climate changes.

The Debate…• The only debate among scientists is about how much and how fast warming will continue as a result of heat-trapping emissions

Facts about Global Warming

Facts about Global Warming

Can it be stopped?...• Yes. IF it is done NOW.

http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/solutions/default.asp?gclid=CMT5jr3x1p8CFRC2sgodAXkdcQ

What is Our Future…?

BEGIN: Earth 2100 video 84:00

Threat Cause Possible Results

Greenhouse Effect Burning fossil fuels and losing forests

Changes in climate, melting of polar ice, drought, flooding

Acid Rain Burning fossil fuels Destruction of forests, poison lakes, dead wildlife, damaged buildings

Ozone Depletion CFC’s chlorofluorocarbons

More skin cancer, mutations

Air Pollution Burning fossil fuels and wood

More diseases

Water Pollution Waste, heat, chemicals Dead wildlife, loss of drinking water, loss of irrigation water

Soil Degradation and Depletion

Erosion, overuse, pesticides

Loss of agriculture, dead wildlife

Habitat Destruction

Poisoned lakes, cut forests Dead wildlife, upset balance of nature

Threats to the Environment

Ways to Protect the Environment

ACTION EFFECTReduce, reuse, and recycle Reduces waste, reduces

burning, reduces use of raw materials to make products

Use fuel-efficient vehicles Reduces acid rain, reduces global warming, reduces dependency on oil

Conserve electricity and water Reduces use of fossil fuels, protects fresh water resources

Grow and buy organic food Reduces use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

Public transportation / drive less

Reduces air pollution and protects natural resources

What is Our Future…?

FINISH: Earth 2100 video 84:00

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