2009 ECOLOGY (B&C) KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules Committee Chairman [email protected].
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Transcript of 2009 ECOLOGY (B&C) KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules Committee Chairman [email protected].
2009 ECOLOGY 2009 ECOLOGY (B&C)(B&C)
KAREN LANCOURKAREN LANCOUR
National Bio Rules National Bio Rules Committee ChairmanCommittee Chairman
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