Chapter 52: An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere

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Chapter 52 An Introduction to Ecology and the
Biosphere
Objectives -Understand that ecology integrates
all areas of biology -Understand interactions
between organisms and the environment limit
distribution of species -Aquatic biomes are
dynamic ecosystems that cover most of the
earth -Understand that climate determines the
distribution and structure of terrestrial biomes.
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Organismal Ecology -Physiology and evolutionary
ecology
Global Ecology -Energy flow within the Biosphere
Community Ecology -Interactions between species
in an ecosystem.
Landscape Ecology -Connectedness of various
ecosystems
Population Ecology -Population dynamics (change
over time)
Ecosystems Ecology -Energy flow within an
ecosystem
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Why do organisms live where they do? -Biotic
Factors -Behavior -Habitats -Relationships
with other organisms Abiotic Factors -Climate
(Macro and Mirco -Chemical -Physical
Kangaroos live in the wettest of areas and in the
driest climates that are susceptible to drought.
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3. Mountains
A Closer Look at Climate Why are Ecosystems
where they are?
1. Water
4. Air Circulation and Wind Patterns
2. Latitude and Seasons
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Aquatic Biomes -Two types Marine and
Freshwater -Largest part of the Biosphere -Know
the various zones -Aquatic Ecosystems have
variations in temperature (Stratified)
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Shallow, nutrient rich, oxygen poor
Deep, nutrient poor, oxygen rich

• Freshwater Ecosystems
• Lakes
• Streams/Rivers (Moving water)
• -Estuaries Freshwater flows into salt water
• -Wetlands

• Fresh water has two zones
• Littoral Well lit and rooted plants
• Limnetic Zone Well lit, phytoplankton

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Intertidal zone is where land meets water and
periodically submerged.
Oceanic Pelagic Zone is the vast ocean blue
Marine Ecosystems
Benthic Zone is the bottom of the ocean include
hydrothermal vents
Coral Reefs Calcium Carbonate (High Oxygen)
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Terrestrial Ecosystems -Based on Temperature and
Precipitation -Latitude Climate -Altitude,
Soil, and Water also determine ecosystems Know
general characteristics of Biomes.