8.1 - what is ecology

ecology

study of how organisms interact with each other and their enviornment

ecosystem

all living and nonliving components in an environment

biosphere

global sum of all ecosystems

habitat

natural environment of an organism

abiotic factors

non living

temp, soil, water, etc

biotic factors

living

other living organisms in an environment

carbon cycle

cycled by photosynthesis and cellular respiration

ex. oceans absorb and release CO2 like a buffer (warmer=more)

nitrogen cycle

vital for amino acides and nucleic acids

N2 is inaccessible to most life

fixation, nitrification, assimilation, decomposition and waste, denitrification

nitrogen fixation

by bacteria (ex. rhizobium) converts N2 to usable forms (ammonium, ammonia)

nitrification

ammonium → nitrites → nitrates

assimilation

plants absorb nitrates for growth

decomposition and waste

return nitrogen to the cycle

denitrification

nitrates → atmospheric N2

water cycle

precipitation enters soil or runs to oceans

groundwater is absorbed by plant roots and released by transpiration

evaporation - liquid water becomes vapor

condensation - water vapor forms clouds

entrophication

fertilizer runoff (rich in phosphorus and nitrogen) causes algae blooms

blocks sunlight → plants die → bacteria decompose algae → oxygen depetion

result in dead zones for aquatic life

biomes

communities of plants and animals in specific climates

determined by temp, precipitation, nutrient/water availability