Ecology & Biomes
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Transcript of Ecology & Biomes
Ecology & Biomes
Ecology Def. – Interactions between organisms & the
environment
Biotic factors Behavior Interaction with other species Biota – all living organisms in an environment
Abiotic factors Nonliving components – Temp., water, sunlight, wind Chemical & physical factors
Example: Biotic FactorsBehavior is the most important factor for determining distribution of a population
Biotic factors are also important
Predators or prey may influence ability to survive
Kelp (algae) are predated by herbivorous sea urchins & limpets
Biotic & Abiotic Factors
Red Kangaroo distribution?NOTE: Australia is dry in the center, wet in periphery
**Highest concentration is found in regions with low precipitation rates
**Lowest concentration is found in regions that are cold or hot, but always are wet
Climate Composed of 4 abiotic factors:
TWSW (That’s Wat She Waid?) Temperature Water Sunlight Wind
Temperature & water = Most Important Limiting Factors (MILFs)
Climate Patterns 2 main climate patterns
Macroclimate Global, regional or local levels
Microclimate Small-scale environmental variations Under a log Tree canopy vs. forest floor
Biomes Def. – the major types of ecosystems that occupy broad
geographic regions
2 main Types Aquatic
Freshwater Marine
Terrestrial Forrests, grasslands, desert, etc.
Aquatic BiomesVertical ZonationPhotic Zone-- Enough sunlight for photosynthesisAphotic zone-- Yep, u guessed it
Benthic zone-- Bottom of the biome-- Sand, organic sediment, and ooze (inorganic sediment)Detritus -- dead organic matter that falls from photic zone
Pelagic zone – open water
Thermocline-- Layer of fast temperature change that separate a uniformly warm upper layer and a uniformly cold deeper layer
-- Ocean & most lakes
-- Especially seen during summer & winter
Freshwater Biomes Standing bodies of H2O
Lakes & wetlands
Moving bodies of H2O Streams, rivers, & estuaries
Freshwater Lakes ONLYLittoral Zone-- Shallow & well-lit waters -- Close to shore Features rooted or floating aquatic plants
Limnetic Zone-- Deep, but well lit waters-- Far from shoreOccupied by phytoplankton &cyanobacteria
2 Types of Lakes Oligotrophic
Normal, healthy water Nutrient-poor water Oxygen-Rich water
Eutrophic Algal blooms Nutrient-rich water Oxygen poor water
Estuaries Transition area between
river and sea
Complex flow pattern
Low-density freshwater lies on top of high-density saltwater