Ecology: Interactions and the Environment

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Ecology Interactions and the Environment
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Multiple Levels of Complexity

• Biosphere
• Biome
• - Biomes of North America
• Ecosystem
• Community
• Population
• Individual Organism

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Biotic and Abiotic Factors

• Biotic Factors

• Abiotic Factors

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Energy Flow in Systems

• Ultimate source for energy in the Biosphere The
  Sun
• Energy from sunlight is captured by autotrophs
  and stored in food molecules
• 6CO2 6H2O ? C6H12O6 6O2
• Autotrophs make ALL the usable food for the rest
  of the biosphere by Photosynthesis

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When no Sunlight is Available

• Chemosynthesis
• Hydrothermal Vents

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Heterotrophy

• Herbivores (Primary Consumers)
• - consume autotrophs (producers)
• Omnivores Consume both producers and other
  heterotrophs
• Carnivores Exclusively feed on other
  heterotrophs

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Food Webs (yes, like in middle/elementary school)

• Energy flow from producers to consumers in TROPIC
  LEVELS

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Energy/Biomass Pyramids

• Energy Pyramid

• Biomass Pyramid

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Difference?
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Cycles of Matter

• Law of Conservation of Matter (remember this?)
• Matter moves in cycles
• Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorous are
  Essential Ecological Nutrients

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Water Cycle
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Carbon Cycle
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Nitrogen Cycle
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Nitrogen Fixation and Denitrification

• N2 in atmosphere cannot be used by most organisms
• Fixed by converting N2 into ammonia (NH3) and
  then to nitrates and nitrites
• Denitrification by decomposers

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Phosphorous Cycle
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Nutrient Limitation

• Primary Productivity

• Limiting Nutrient