Ecology Overview
Big Ideas:
- Ecosystems are dynamic and have the ability to respond to change, within limits, while maintaining their ecological balance.
- People have the responsibility to regulate their impact on the sustainability of ecosystems in order to preserve them for future generations.
Can you communicate using appropriate terminology related to sustainable ecosystems, including, but not limited to: bioaccumulation, biosphere, diversity, ecosystem, equilibrium, sustainability, sustainable use, protection.
Can you explain the importance of biodiversity for all sustainable ecosystems? How does the energy transformation apply, food chain, food web?
Can you analyse the effect of human activity on the populations of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by interpreting data and generating graphs? (stressors associated with human use of natural areas, such as trampled vegetation, wildlife mortality from motor vehicles, and the removal of plants, animals, and/or natural objects; suburban developments and their impact on the food supply for animals such as foxes and racoons)
Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic characteristics of sustainable and unsustainable terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Describe the complementary processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis with respect to the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within ecosystems (i.e., carbon dioxide is a by_product of cellular respiration and is used for photosynthesis, which produces oxygen needed for cellular respiration), and explain how human activities can disrupt the balance achieved by these processes (e.g., fossil fuel use increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; planting more trees decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
Describe the limiting factors of ecosystems (e.g., nutrients, space, water, energy, predators), and explain how these factors affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem (e.g., the effect of an increase in the moose population on the wolf population in the same ecosystem)
Identify the earth's four spheres (biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere), and describe the relationship that must exist between these spheres if diversity and sustainability are to be maintained. What are the 4 biomes of Canada, how are the biotic and abiotic feature similar/different?
Identify various factors related to human activity that have an impact on ecosystems (e.g., the introduction of invasive species), and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium and survival of ecosystems (e.g., invasive species push out native species and upset the equilibrium in an ecosystem; shoreline development affects the types of terrestrial and aquatic life that can live near lake shores or river banks; acid rain changes the pH of water, which affects the type of aquatic life that can survive in a lake)
- Ecosystems are dynamic and have the ability to respond to change, within limits, while maintaining their ecological balance.
- People have the responsibility to regulate their impact on the sustainability of ecosystems in order to preserve them for future generations.
Can you communicate using appropriate terminology related to sustainable ecosystems, including, but not limited to: bioaccumulation, biosphere, diversity, ecosystem, equilibrium, sustainability, sustainable use, protection.
Can you explain the importance of biodiversity for all sustainable ecosystems? How does the energy transformation apply, food chain, food web?
Can you analyse the effect of human activity on the populations of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by interpreting data and generating graphs? (stressors associated with human use of natural areas, such as trampled vegetation, wildlife mortality from motor vehicles, and the removal of plants, animals, and/or natural objects; suburban developments and their impact on the food supply for animals such as foxes and racoons)
Compare and contrast biotic and abiotic characteristics of sustainable and unsustainable terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Describe the complementary processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis with respect to the flow of energy and the cycling of matter within ecosystems (i.e., carbon dioxide is a by_product of cellular respiration and is used for photosynthesis, which produces oxygen needed for cellular respiration), and explain how human activities can disrupt the balance achieved by these processes (e.g., fossil fuel use increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; planting more trees decreases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
Describe the limiting factors of ecosystems (e.g., nutrients, space, water, energy, predators), and explain how these factors affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem (e.g., the effect of an increase in the moose population on the wolf population in the same ecosystem)
Identify the earth's four spheres (biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere), and describe the relationship that must exist between these spheres if diversity and sustainability are to be maintained. What are the 4 biomes of Canada, how are the biotic and abiotic feature similar/different?
Identify various factors related to human activity that have an impact on ecosystems (e.g., the introduction of invasive species), and explain how these factors affect the equilibrium and survival of ecosystems (e.g., invasive species push out native species and upset the equilibrium in an ecosystem; shoreline development affects the types of terrestrial and aquatic life that can live near lake shores or river banks; acid rain changes the pH of water, which affects the type of aquatic life that can survive in a lake)
Biomes of Canada
Due to its latitude, Canada has four main terrestrial (land) biomes which are described below. These biomes also exist on other parts of Earth where environmental conditions are similar.
1.The Tundra Biome lies south of the ice caps of the Arctic. It extends across North America, Europe, and Siberia.
In Canada it is the northernmost biome, and is referred to as a cold desert. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the tundra biome is found in northern Labrador. The tundra has very little biodiversity and is very vulnerable to environmental damage because the low temperatures make it slow to recover.
Abiotic Factors..... The tundra has a low average temperature and a short growing season of about 60 days. In winter everything is frozen but in summer the top layer of soil thaws. The layers that remain frozen are called permafrost.
There is a low precipitation in the tundra of 10 to 12 centimeters a year. When it is warm the regions are wet with bogs and ponds.
Biotic Factors..... There are no trees because of the permafrost. There are only a small number of organisms living in the tundra, thus there is little biodiversity. Animals found in the tundra are reindeer, musk oxen, caribou, wolves, arctic hares, arctic foxes, lemmings, snowy owls, and ptarmigans. Flies and mosquitoes are found in the tundra during the warm weather. Birds migrate to the tundra during the warm season.
2.The Boreal Forest Biome lies immediately south of the tundra and is often called the taiga as well . Dominated by conifers or what is also known as evergreens (trees with needle-shaped leaves), the boreal forest is found in every province and makes up 80% of the forested areas of Canada.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the boreal forest covers the entire province except northern Labrador which is tundra. Globally, the taiga or boreal forest is the belt of evergreens across North America, Europe and Asia and forms the largest biomeon Earth. It is very vulnerable to diseases and pests that attach to the limited species of trees found there.
Abiotic factors..... There are cold winters with deep snow. The growing season is about 120 days. During this period of time, the ground thaws completely. Precipitation is usually between 50 and 100cm per year. There are many ponds and bogs.
Biotic factors.... The vegetation is generally pines, furs, and spruce. There are some deciduous trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Animals include moose, wolves, bears, lynx, deer, elks, wolverines, martens, snowshoe hares, porcupines, rodents, birds, and insects.
3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome lies south of the boreal forest, in Eastern and Central Canada and has the greatest biodiversity. This biome gets its name from the abundance of deciduous trees that grow there. Deciduous trees are trees that shed their leaves in winter, unlike conifers that don’t shed. Globally, the temperate deciduous forest is located in eastern North America and Europe.
Abiotic Factors..... Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold. The rainfall averages between 75-150 cm a year.
Biotic Factors.... The vegetation includes oak, maple, hickory, beech, chestnut, birch, herbaceous plants, ferns and mosses. The animals consist of wolves, gray foxes, bobcats, deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, birds and insects.
4.The Grassland Biome is found at approximately the same latitude as the deciduous forests. It extends from eastern Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains. Globally, grasslands, also called prairies, are found in the interiors of North America, Asia, South America and Africa.
Human intervention in the form of farming has caused extensive change to this biome. Under natural conditions, the grassland should gradually be replaced by forest due to succession. Farming and grazing by farm animals prevents this from happening.
Abiotic Factors..... The rainfall ranges from 25-75 cm a year, which cannot support deciduous forest, so grasses become the main form of plant life. In most places of the grasslands, the soil is usually rich and deep, making it the most fertile farmlands on Earth.
Biotic Factors.... The vegetation includes many various forms of wild flowers and grass. Near rivers and other wet areas plants and vegetation become more dense.
Coyotes, badgers, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, jackrabbits and ground squirrels all inhabit the North American grasslands. Huge herds of bison and pronghorn antelope have been replaced by domesticated cattle and sheep.
African grasslands are populated by zebra, giraffe, gazelle, lion and other animals. There are fewer types of birds here compared to the deciduous forest. These include meadowlarks, ring-necked pheasants, prairie chickens, hawks and owls. There are lots of insects, especially grasshoppers.
Taken From: http://www.cdli.ca/courses/sci2200/unit01_org03_ilo01/b_activity.html
1.The Tundra Biome lies south of the ice caps of the Arctic. It extends across North America, Europe, and Siberia.
In Canada it is the northernmost biome, and is referred to as a cold desert. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the tundra biome is found in northern Labrador. The tundra has very little biodiversity and is very vulnerable to environmental damage because the low temperatures make it slow to recover.
Abiotic Factors..... The tundra has a low average temperature and a short growing season of about 60 days. In winter everything is frozen but in summer the top layer of soil thaws. The layers that remain frozen are called permafrost.
There is a low precipitation in the tundra of 10 to 12 centimeters a year. When it is warm the regions are wet with bogs and ponds.
Biotic Factors..... There are no trees because of the permafrost. There are only a small number of organisms living in the tundra, thus there is little biodiversity. Animals found in the tundra are reindeer, musk oxen, caribou, wolves, arctic hares, arctic foxes, lemmings, snowy owls, and ptarmigans. Flies and mosquitoes are found in the tundra during the warm weather. Birds migrate to the tundra during the warm season.
2.The Boreal Forest Biome lies immediately south of the tundra and is often called the taiga as well . Dominated by conifers or what is also known as evergreens (trees with needle-shaped leaves), the boreal forest is found in every province and makes up 80% of the forested areas of Canada.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the boreal forest covers the entire province except northern Labrador which is tundra. Globally, the taiga or boreal forest is the belt of evergreens across North America, Europe and Asia and forms the largest biomeon Earth. It is very vulnerable to diseases and pests that attach to the limited species of trees found there.
Abiotic factors..... There are cold winters with deep snow. The growing season is about 120 days. During this period of time, the ground thaws completely. Precipitation is usually between 50 and 100cm per year. There are many ponds and bogs.
Biotic factors.... The vegetation is generally pines, furs, and spruce. There are some deciduous trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Animals include moose, wolves, bears, lynx, deer, elks, wolverines, martens, snowshoe hares, porcupines, rodents, birds, and insects.
3.The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome lies south of the boreal forest, in Eastern and Central Canada and has the greatest biodiversity. This biome gets its name from the abundance of deciduous trees that grow there. Deciduous trees are trees that shed their leaves in winter, unlike conifers that don’t shed. Globally, the temperate deciduous forest is located in eastern North America and Europe.
Abiotic Factors..... Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold. The rainfall averages between 75-150 cm a year.
Biotic Factors.... The vegetation includes oak, maple, hickory, beech, chestnut, birch, herbaceous plants, ferns and mosses. The animals consist of wolves, gray foxes, bobcats, deer, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, birds and insects.
4.The Grassland Biome is found at approximately the same latitude as the deciduous forests. It extends from eastern Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains. Globally, grasslands, also called prairies, are found in the interiors of North America, Asia, South America and Africa.
Human intervention in the form of farming has caused extensive change to this biome. Under natural conditions, the grassland should gradually be replaced by forest due to succession. Farming and grazing by farm animals prevents this from happening.
Abiotic Factors..... The rainfall ranges from 25-75 cm a year, which cannot support deciduous forest, so grasses become the main form of plant life. In most places of the grasslands, the soil is usually rich and deep, making it the most fertile farmlands on Earth.
Biotic Factors.... The vegetation includes many various forms of wild flowers and grass. Near rivers and other wet areas plants and vegetation become more dense.
Coyotes, badgers, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, jackrabbits and ground squirrels all inhabit the North American grasslands. Huge herds of bison and pronghorn antelope have been replaced by domesticated cattle and sheep.
African grasslands are populated by zebra, giraffe, gazelle, lion and other animals. There are fewer types of birds here compared to the deciduous forest. These include meadowlarks, ring-necked pheasants, prairie chickens, hawks and owls. There are lots of insects, especially grasshoppers.
Taken From: http://www.cdli.ca/courses/sci2200/unit01_org03_ilo01/b_activity.html
National Geographic: One Cubic Foot
How much life can be found in one cubic foot of an ecosystem? Click to access the article.
Encyclopedia of Life : click to access this website
biology_expectations.docx | |
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The Lorax
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Class Notes
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