The Role of Climate Living things adjust to their environment—up to a point Things you won’t see….
Dec 29, 2015
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The Role of ClimateThe Role of Climate
Living things adjust to their environmentLiving things adjust to their environment—up to a point—up to a point
Things you won’t see….Things you won’t see….
Animals have limits on how much Animals have limits on how much variance from their normal conditions variance from their normal conditions they can toleratethey can tolerate
The climate is an important part of thisThe climate is an important part of this
What is Climate?What is Climate?
In the atmosphere, temperature, In the atmosphere, temperature, precipitation, and other environmental precipitation, and other environmental factors combine to produce factors combine to produce weather and weather and climate.climate.
What is the difference?What is the difference?
Weather Weather is the is the day-to- dayday-to- day condition of condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.and place.
ClimateClimate refers to the average, refers to the average, year-after-year-after-yearyear conditions of temperature and conditions of temperature and precipitation in a particular area.precipitation in a particular area.
What is Climate?What is Climate?
Factors that affect Factors that affect ClimateClimate
Trapping of heat by the atmosphereTrapping of heat by the atmosphere LatitudeLatitude Winds and Ocean CurrentsWinds and Ocean Currents PrecipitationPrecipitation Shape and Elevation of Land MassesShape and Elevation of Land Masses
The Greenhouse EffectThe Greenhouse Effect
Atmospheric gases trap heat energy from Atmospheric gases trap heat energy from the sunthe sun Carbon dioxide, methane, water vaporCarbon dioxide, methane, water vapor
Acts like a blanket, keeping earth’s Acts like a blanket, keeping earth’s temperature within a suitable range for lifetemperature within a suitable range for life
The earth’s atmosphere would be 30 º C The earth’s atmosphere would be 30 º C (54 ºF) cooler without greenhouse gases(54 ºF) cooler without greenhouse gases
Sunlight takes multiple paths Sunlight takes multiple paths as it enters Earth’s as it enters Earth’s atmosphereatmosphere
Greenhouse gases reflect Greenhouse gases reflect infrared radiation back to infrared radiation back to earthearth
The Effect of Latitude on The Effect of Latitude on ClimateClimate Why is it colder in December than it is in Why is it colder in December than it is in
July?July? Because the earth is roundBecause the earth is round
Sunlight strikes earth at different angles Sunlight strikes earth at different angles throughout the yearthroughout the year
Climate ZonesClimate Zones
Differences in latitude cause different Differences in latitude cause different angles of heatingangles of heating
Think of sitting in the sun---what parts of Think of sitting in the sun---what parts of you get burned the most?you get burned the most?
Climate ZonesClimate Zones
Heat Transport in the Heat Transport in the BiosphereBiosphere
Warm air rises, cool air fallsWarm air rises, cool air falls Air near equator will?Air near equator will?
RiseRise
Air near the poles will?Air near the poles will? SinkSink
This creates air currents, or This creates air currents, or windswinds Transfers heat energy throughout Transfers heat energy throughout
biospherebiosphere
Heat Transport in the Heat Transport in the BiosphereBiosphere
Ocean currents form for the same Ocean currents form for the same reasonsreasons Cold water near poles sinksCold water near poles sinks Warmer water rises closer to equatorWarmer water rises closer to equator Winds create ocean waves and currentsWinds create ocean waves and currents
Surface ocean currents affect Surface ocean currents affect temperature of air above themtemperature of air above them
Heat Transport in the Heat Transport in the BiosphereBiosphere
Landmasses affect winds and ocean Landmasses affect winds and ocean currentscurrents Can interfere with movement of air massesCan interfere with movement of air masses
Rain ShadowRain Shadow
What shapes What shapes an an
Ecosystem?Ecosystem?
What Shapes an What Shapes an Ecosystem?Ecosystem? Biotic and Abiotic FactorsBiotic and Abiotic Factors
NicheNiche The full range of physical and The full range of physical and
biological conditions in which an biological conditions in which an organism lives and the way in organism lives and the way in which the organism uses those which the organism uses those conditions.conditions.
Community InteractionsCommunity Interactions Ecological SuccessionEcological Succession
Non-living ComponentsNon-living Components
- Non-Living - Non-Living parts of the parts of the ecosystemecosystem
Includes:Includes:AirAirWaterWaterSunlightSunlightTemperatureTemperatureRocksRocksSandSand
Living ComponentsLiving Components
- living and once - living and once living living components of an components of an
ecosystem ecosystem
Includes:Includes:Dead organismsDead organismsDead parts of an organism (leaves)Dead parts of an organism (leaves)Waste products of an organismWaste products of an organism
Interact with each other in the ecosystem
Can you think of any examples of these interactions?
Ecosystem TermsEcosystem Terms HabitatHabitat
The area where an organism lives (its “address”) within an The area where an organism lives (its “address”) within an ecosystemecosystem
NicheNiche The function or position of an organism within an The function or position of an organism within an
ecological community (its “occupation”)ecological community (its “occupation”)
An organism’s niche includes:An organism’s niche includes: Feeding relationships Feeding relationships Space and temperature requirementsSpace and temperature requirements Impact on environmentImpact on environment
Both include biotic and abiotic factorsBoth include biotic and abiotic factors
Lynx Primary HabitatLynx Primary Habitat
With their long legs and large furry paws, lynx are built for hunting in deep snow.
Their main food source is the snowshoe hare, but they are also known to take rodents, birds and fish.
Niche of Niche of the Lynxthe Lynx
Lynx are cautious and secretive, and will avoid large open areas. They need a mosaic of stand types to den and find prey, but also need unbroken forest to provide stalking and security cover. Even when hunting, lynx prefer some cover and they typically won't cross openings more than 300 feet across.
Types of Community Types of Community InteractionsInteractions
CompetitionCompetition PredationPredation SymbiosisSymbiosis
ParasitismParasitism CommensalismCommensalism MutualismMutualism
Community InteractionsCommunity Interactions CompetitionCompetition
COMPETITION is a relationship in which COMPETITION is a relationship in which different individuals or populations different individuals or populations attempt to use the same limited resource.attempt to use the same limited resource.
A A resourceresource refers to any necessity of life, refers to any necessity of life, such assuch as WaterWater NutrientsNutrients LightLight FoodFood SpaceSpace
Community Community InteractionsInteractions PredationPredation
An interaction in which one organism An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organismcaptures and feeds on another organism
Organism that does the killing-Organism that does the killing-PREDATOR!!!!!!!!!!PREDATOR!!!!!!!!!!
Organism that is the food is the PREYOrganism that is the food is the PREYExamples: snakes eating mice, bats eating insects, whales Examples: snakes eating mice, bats eating insects, whales consuming krill.consuming krill.
Why are adaptations (like mimicry or camouflage) useful in Why are adaptations (like mimicry or camouflage) useful in this type of species interactions?this type of species interactions?
Symbiosis- when two organisms live in Symbiosis- when two organisms live in close associationclose association
3 main interactions3 main interactions ParasitismParasitism MutualismMutualism CommensalismCommensalism
A relationship where one species (the A relationship where one species (the parasite) benefits from the other parasite) benefits from the other species (the host) and usually harms species (the host) and usually harms it.it.
Difference between a parasite and a Difference between a parasite and a predator:predator: Parasite spends some of its life in or Parasite spends some of its life in or
on hoston host Parasites don’t usually kill Parasites don’t usually kill
their hosttheir host
A close relationship between two A close relationship between two species in which species in which eacheach species species provides a provides a benefitbenefit to the other. to the other.
Bacteria/digestive systemBacteria/digestive system
A relationship in which A relationship in which one species one species benefitsbenefits and the and the other speciesother species is is neither neither harmed nor helped.harmed nor helped.
Remoras/sharksRemoras/sharks Birds nesting in treesBirds nesting in trees
ECOLOGICAL SuccessionECOLOGICAL Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human response to natural and human disturbances. disturbances.
As an ecosystem changes, older As an ecosystem changes, older inhabitants gradually die out and new inhabitants gradually die out and new organisms move in, causing further organisms move in, causing further changes in the community.changes in the community.
Primary SuccessionPrimary Succession Occurs on surfaces where no soil existsOccurs on surfaces where no soil exists Ex. Volcanic eruptionsEx. Volcanic eruptions
Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession A disturbance of some kind changes an A disturbance of some kind changes an
existing communityexisting community Ex. wildfiresEx. wildfires
ECOLOGICAL SuccessionECOLOGICAL Succession
Pioneer SpeciesPioneer Species
The first species toThe first species to
populate the areapopulate the area
Often are lichensOften are lichens Break up rocks as they growBreak up rocks as they grow Add organic material to form soil when Add organic material to form soil when
they diethey die
Stages of Primary Stages of Primary SuccessionSuccession
Secondary SuccessionSecondary Succession
A disturbance changes the community A disturbance changes the community without removing the soilwithout removing the soil
When does this happen?When does this happen? Clearing farmlandClearing farmland WildfiresWildfires Mowing your yardMowing your yard Weeding your gardenWeeding your garden
Yellowstone Fire 1988Yellowstone Fire 1988
Yellowstone 2002Yellowstone 2002
Then Then Now Now
Succession in a Marine Succession in a Marine EcosystemEcosystemp. 96p. 96
p. 87p. 87
Large group of ecosystems that share the same type of climax community
.
Temp. Range: -30 Celsius – 15 C (-22 - 5 F)
Rainfall: Less than 20 cm/year
Soil: Layer of frozen soil called permafrost; thin topsoil, lacking nutrients
Short growing season, long summer days
Animal life: caribou, musk oxen, polar bears, lemmings, snowy owls, arctic foxes, mosquitoes
Plant Life: lichens, mosses, grasses, small bushes, dwarf shrubs, cushion plants
Temp: -20-20 Celsius (-4 - 68 F)
Rainfall: 30-40 cm rain/year (11-16 in)
Soil: water logged, peat swamp habitat; topsoil develops from decaying coniferous needles
Animal Life: Moose, weasels, mink, snowshoe hare, lynx, caribou (migrate from tundra in winter)
Plant Life: Evergreen trees: spruce, fir, hemlock (also known as the BOREAL FOREST)
Temp: 10-40 degrees Celsius (50-104 F)
Rainfall: Less than 25 cm rain/year ( 10 in)
Soil: sandy
Animal Life: lizards, snakes, scorpions, mice, hawk, owl, kangaroo rat
Plant Life: cacti, small bushes, mesquite trees, creosote bushes
Rainfall: 25-75 cm of rain/year (10-30 in)
Temp Range: 0-30 degrees Celsius (32-86 F)
Occupies more area than any other terrestrial biome!
Soil is rich with humus
Animal Life: antelope, deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, bison, insects, birds, reptiles, foxes
Plant Life: grasses, ideal for growing cereal grains: rye, oats & wheat; wildflowers
Rainfall: 70-150 cm of rain/year (27-59 in)
Temperature Range: -20 – 38 Celsius (4-100 F)
Soil: Rich topsoil, deep layer of clay
Animal Life: deer, black bear, squirrels, insects, foxes, snakes, robins, owls
Plant Life: Hardwood trees that loose their leaves in the winter: hickory, maple, beech, oak
Rainfall: 200-400 cm of rain/year (78-158 in)
Temperature range: Remain about 25Celsius (77 F)
Nutrient poor soil
Animal Life: reptiles, amphibians, primates, butterflies, birds, cougars, tree frogs, cobras, pythons, bats
Plant Life: Trees, ferns, mosses
Every day, somewhere on Earth, a Every day, somewhere on Earth, a unique species of organism unique species of organism becomes extinct as the last member becomes extinct as the last member of that species dies…often because of that species dies…often because of human actions.of human actions.
What is biodiversity?What is biodiversity?
Short for “biological diversity” Short for “biological diversity” Refers to the number and variety of Refers to the number and variety of
different species in a given area. different species in a given area.
The estimated number of speciesThe estimated number of species
range from 8 million to 50 millionrange from 8 million to 50 million
……why is this number so broad?why is this number so broad?
What is biodiversity?What is biodiversity?
Levels of DiversityLevels of Diversity
Biodiversity can be studied and Biodiversity can be studied and described at described at 3 3 different levels:different levels: Species DiversitySpecies Diversity Ecosystem DiversityEcosystem Diversity Genetic DiversityGenetic Diversity
Refers to all the differences Refers to all the differences between populations of species, as between populations of species, as well as between different species.well as between different species.
Receives the most attentionReceives the most attention
Refers to the variety of habitats, Refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological communities, and ecological processes within and between processes within and between ecosystems.ecosystems.
Refers to all the different genes Refers to all the different genes contained within all members of a contained within all members of a population.population.
A gene is a piece of DNA that codes A gene is a piece of DNA that codes for a specific trait that can be for a specific trait that can be inherited by an organism’s offspring.inherited by an organism’s offspring.
Biodiversity can affect the stability Biodiversity can affect the stability of ecosystems and the sustainability of ecosystems and the sustainability of populations.of populations.
Humans benefit from biodiversityHumans benefit from biodiversity
Species are connected toSpecies are connected to
Every species is either depended on Every species is either depended on or depended upon by at least one or depended upon by at least one other species.other species.
When one species disappears, a When one species disappears, a strand in a food web is removed. strand in a food web is removed. Could this cause a problem?Could this cause a problem?
Species that are critical to the Species that are critical to the functioning of an ecosystem functioning of an ecosystem
Sea otter/kelp populationSea otter/kelp population
The level of genetic diversity within The level of genetic diversity within populations is a critical factor in populations is a critical factor in species survival.species survival.
Genetic variation increases the Genetic variation increases the chance that some members of a chance that some members of a population will survive population will survive environmental pressures.environmental pressures.
Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural Medical, Industrial, and Agricultural UsesUses
Throughout history, we have used the Throughout history, we have used the variety of organisms on Earth for food, variety of organisms on Earth for food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.clothing, shelter, and medicine.
¼ of medications used in U.S. are ¼ of medications used in U.S. are derived from plants. (ex. Antibiotic-derived from plants. (ex. Antibiotic-fungi)fungi)
Ethics, Aesthetics, and RecreationEthics, Aesthetics, and Recreation
Ethics-some believe that Ethics-some believe that ecosystems/species have a right to ecosystems/species have a right to exist whether or not they have valueexist whether or not they have value
Recreation/Aesthetic-pets, camping, Recreation/Aesthetic-pets, camping, wildlifewildlife
Species with small populations in limited Species with small populations in limited areas can easily become extinctareas can easily become extinct
Species at a high risk of extinction:Species at a high risk of extinction: Those that migrateThose that migrate Those that need large or special habitatsThose that need large or special habitats Those that are exploited by humans.Those that are exploited by humans.
Endangered Species- A species that is Endangered Species- A species that is likely to become extinct if protective likely to become extinct if protective measures are not taken immediatelymeasures are not taken immediately
Habitat destruction and fragmentationHabitat destruction and fragmentation
Invasive Exotic SpeciesInvasive Exotic Species
Harvesting, Hunting, and PoachingHarvesting, Hunting, and Poaching
PollutionPollution
As the human population grows, we use As the human population grows, we use more land to build homes and harvest more land to build homes and harvest resources.resources.
Habitat loss causes more than 75% Habitat loss causes more than 75%
of the extinctions now occurring.of the extinctions now occurring.
Ex: Florida panther,Ex: Florida panther,
<80<80
An exotic species is a species that is not An exotic species is a species that is not native to a particular region.native to a particular region.
Exotic species can threaten native Exotic species can threaten native species that have no natural defenses species that have no natural defenses against them.against them.
Excessive harvesting and hunting can lead Excessive harvesting and hunting can lead to extinction. (pets, houseplants, wood, to extinction. (pets, houseplants, wood, food, or medicine)food, or medicine)
Laws are put into place to regulate Laws are put into place to regulate hunting, fishing, harvesting, and trade of hunting, fishing, harvesting, and trade of wildlife.wildlife.
If these laws are broken, then it is If these laws are broken, then it is considered considered poaching.poaching.
Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, and Pesticides, cleaning agents, drugs, and other chemicals are making their way into other chemicals are making their way into food webs around the globe.food webs around the globe.
Ex. DDT/bald eagleEx. DDT/bald eagle
Captive Breeding ProgramsCaptive Breeding Programs
Preserving Genetic MaterialPreserving Genetic Material
Zoos, Aquariums, Parks, and GardensZoos, Aquariums, Parks, and Gardens
More StudyMore Study
Involves breeding species in captivity, Involves breeding species in captivity, with the hopes of reintroducing with the hopes of reintroducing populations to their natural habitatspopulations to their natural habitats
Example: California condors (habitat Example: California condors (habitat loss, poaching, lead poisoning)loss, poaching, lead poisoning)
Germ plasm banks-store genetic Germ plasm banks-store genetic material for research or species-material for research or species-recovery effortsrecovery efforts
Material is stored as seeds, sperm, Material is stored as seeds, sperm, eggs, or pure DNAeggs, or pure DNA
The most effective way to save species is The most effective way to save species is to protect their to protect their
Conservation Strategies- conserve entire Conservation Strategies- conserve entire ECOSYSTEMS instead of a single ECOSYSTEMS instead of a single species….WHY?species….WHY?
U.S. Laws:U.S. Laws: Endangered Species Endangered Species
Act (1973Act (1973)-designed to )-designed to protect plant and protect plant and animal species in animal species in danger of extinctiondanger of extinction
International CooperationInternational Cooperation International Union for the Conservation of International Union for the Conservation of
Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 200 governments, 700 private organizations200 governments, 700 private organizations CITES (Convention of International Trade in CITES (Convention of International Trade in
Endangered Species) treatyEndangered Species) treaty The The Earth SummitEarth Summit (United Nations (United Nations
Conference, 1992)Conference, 1992) Biodiversity Treaty-preserve biodiversity and Biodiversity Treaty-preserve biodiversity and
ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic ensure the sustainable and fair use of genetic resources in all countriesresources in all countries
International CooperationInternational Cooperation Private OrganizationsPrivate Organizations
World Wildlife FundWorld Wildlife Fund Nature ConservancyNature Conservancy Conservation InternationalConservation International Greenpeace InternationalGreenpeace International
The important part of protecting a The important part of protecting a species is making the value of species is making the value of biodiversity understood by more people.biodiversity understood by more people.
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