Sustainable Ecosystems Test Study.txt

Sustainable Ecosystems

The study of living organisms in the natural environment How they interact with one another How they interact with their nonliving environment Ecology is:

Concept of Sustainability Ecosystems: all the interacting parts of a biological community and its environment Sustainable Ecosystem: An ecosystem that is capable of withstanding pressure and giving support to a variety of organisms over time

The Case of Easter Island Is thought to be a once thriving island People built statues and lived in forested area People cut down trees to grow crops, to burn as a heat source, until there were no more trees This lead to erosion, loss of plants as a food source, no extra materials to make houses, boats The island could no longer support the human population and society began to die off Only the statues remain

Parts of an Ecosystem Biotic Factors: living parts such as plants, animals, and microorganisms

Abiotic Factors: non-living parts such as water, oxygen, light levels, nutrients

SYMBIOSIS is the interaction between 2 different organisms living together

HOST- usually the LARGER of the 2 organisms SYMBIONT- usually the SMALLER member Symbiotic Relationships Example: You may not see any interaction from the surface, the sea anemone and the clown fish. The clown fish eats animals that are attracted to the sea anemone and the fecal matter from the fish feeds the sea anemone

PARASITISM MUTUALISM COMMENSALISM The 3 Relationships we are studying are:

Is a relationship where both organisms benefit and neither is harmed. The relationship can be long or short term. Mutualism

COMMENSALISM Is a relationship between the host and symbiont, where the symbiont benefits and the host is neither helped nor harmed.

PARASITISM Is a relationship where the Symbiont lives in/on the Host The Symbiont (or Parasite) BENEFITS The Host is HARMED

Predation

One species benefits while the other dies (another type of symbiotic relationship) When one organism consumes another organism for food The consumed organism is called prey eaten by the predator This lady bug is the predator for aphids a bug that destroys many crops.

Competition Occurs when two or more organisms compete for the same resource such as food in the same location at the same time. Neither species benefits (another type of symbiotic relationship Dandelions compete with the grass for same resources, water, nutrients and light

Parts of an Ecosystem Biotic Factors: living parts such as plants, animals, and microorganisms

Abiotic Factors: non-living parts such as water, oxygen, light levels, nutrients

Abiotic Characteristics Key factors are: their importance and role on ecosystems Water cells are mostly made up of water, wastes are disposed of with water, many animals and plants live in water Water availability, desertification, water quality and pollution Oxygen Essential for cell processes, animals breath it where it is absorbed into blood to the cells. Aquatic animals get oxygen through water Human activities can lower oxygen levels in water depleting fish populations, pollution

Abiotic continued Light Photosynthesis requires light. Plants and algae need light to undergo this process. All energy for ecosystems comes from light energy converted to other forms of energy Amount of light is affected by ecosystems, forest trees block light from plants underneath, sediment in water blocks light for algae Nutrients All organisms need nutrients, key ones are nitrogen and phosphorous Human activities can alter nutrient levels, clear cutting, fertilizer run off etc. Soil Provides structure for growth in plants, provides nutrients to plants Top soil contains most of nutrients can be washed away from heavy rains

What are factors in an ecosystem? They are elements that shape the ecosystem Factors in an ecosystem refer to the various elements, both living and non-living, that influence the environment and shape the interactions within it. These factors include all the physical, chemical, and biological components that play a role in determining the structure and function of an ecosystem. They encompass aspects like temperature, sunlight, organisms, soil composition, precipitation, and everything that contributes to the overall conditions and dynamics of a particular habitat. These factors collectively define the unique characteristics of an ecosystem and influence the species that can thrive within it.

Concept Attainment Several ecological factors are shown on the following slides Pay attention to where it ends up and predict other factors that show up afterwards Plants Fungi Predators Bacteria Competition Detritivores Altitude Sunlight Precipitation Humidity Soil Type Temperature Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

18

Sunlight Sunlight Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

19

Sunlight Plants Plants Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

20

Sunlight Plants Predators Predators Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

21

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Altitude Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

22

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Temperature Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

23

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Fungi Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

24

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Competition Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

25

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Soil Type Soil Type Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

26

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Soil Type Precipitation Precipitation Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

27

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Soil Type Precipitation Bacteria Bacteria Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

28

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Soil Type Precipitation Bacteria Detritivores Detritivores Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

29

Sunlight Plants Predators Altitude Temperature Fungi Competition Soil Type Precipitation Bacteria Detritivores Humidity Humidity Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

30

Plants Fungi Predators Bacteria Competition Detritivores Altitude Sunlight Precipitation Humidity Soil Type Temperature Biotic Factors:

Plants Animals Fungi Bacteria Predators Prey Herbivores Carnivores Decomposers Competition

Abiotic Factors:

Temperature Sunlight Precipitation Wind Soil Type Humidity Altitude pH Level Salinity Topography

31

Explain how the factors were sorted into their respective sides 32

Biotic & Abiotic Factors 33

Biotic Factors Encompass all living organisms within an ecosystem, including plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Biotic factors interact with each other and their environment. Living organisms interact with each other through processes like predation, competition, mutualism, and parasitism. 34

Abiotic Factors The non-living components of an ecosystem, such as temperature, sunlight, soil, water, air, minerals, and physical features like rocks and terrain. They provide the physical and chemical framework for ecosystems. Set the conditions that affect the distribution and survival of biotic factors. Stabilize over relatively long periods. 35

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Biotic Factor Wind 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

36

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Wind 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

37

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Biotic Factor Omnivores 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

38

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Biotic Factor Omnivores 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

39

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Biotic Factor Salinity (saltiness of ocean water) 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

40

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Salinity (saltiness of ocean water) 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

41

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Abiotic Factor Biotic Factor Protists (microorganisms in water) 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

42

Biotic or Abiotic Factor? Biotic Factor Protists (microorganisms in water) 🍐 This is a Pear Deck Draggable™ Slide. 🍐 To edit the type of question, go back to the "Ask Students a Question" in the Pear Deck sidebar.

43

ECOLOGY The study of living organisms in the natural environment How they interact with one another How the interact with their nonliving environment © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 44

Ecosystem Community + Abiotic environment, interacting © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 45

Community All the populations of the different species living and inter-acting in the same ecosystem 7-spotted lady bird (Adephagia septempunctata) Bean aphids (Aphis fabae) Red ant (Myrmica rubra) and Broom plant (Cytisus scoparius) © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 46

Species A group of organisms that can breed to produce fully fertile offspring Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 47

Population A group of organism of the same species which live in the same habitat at the same time where they can freely interbreed The black-veined white butterfly (Aporia crataegi) mating © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 48

Biodiversity The total number of different species in an ecosystem and their relative abundance Worcester City Museums © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 49

Habitat The characteristics of the type of environment where an organism normally lives. (e.g. a stoney stream, a deciduous temperate woodland) © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 50

Adaptation What are things that every creature needs to survive? All creatures have the tools they need to get these things from their specific environment. Such tools are called adaptations.

51

Adaptation 52

Adaptation What kind of adaptations do aquatic creatures need to survive? Gills Fins Webbed feet Streamlined bodies 53

Niche The niche of a species consists of: Its role in the ecosystem (herbivore, carnivore, producer etc) Its tolerance limits (e.g. soil pH, humidity) Its requirements for shelter, nesting sites etc etc, all varying through time © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 54

THE COMPETITIVE EXCLUSION PRINCIPLE G.F. Gause (1934) If two species, with the same niche, coexist in the same ecosystem, then one will be excluded from the community due to intense competition © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 55

The niche as a two-dimensional shape Niche represented by a 2-dimensional area Species A © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 56

Separate niches No overlap of niches. So coexistence is possible Species A Species B © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 57

Overlapping niches Interspecific competition occurs where the niches overlap Species C Species B © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 58

Species C Specialisation avoids competition Evolution by natural selection towards separate niches Species B’ Species C’ Specialisation into two separate niches Species B © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 59

This niche is not big enough for the both of us! Species A Species D Very heavy competition leads to competitive exclusion One species must go © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 60

Total exclusion Species A has a bigger niche it is more generalist

Species E has a smaller niche it is more specialist Specialists, however, do tend to avoid competition Here it is total swamped by Species A

© 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 61

Example: Squirrels in Britain The Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is native to Britain Its population has declined due to: Competitive exclusion Disease Disappearance of hazel coppices and mature conifer forests in lowland Britain Isle of Wight Tourist Guide © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 62

The Alien The Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)is an alien species Introduced to Britain in about 30 sites between 1876 and 1929  It has easily adapted to parks and gardens replacing the red squirrel Bananas in the Falklands © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 63

Today’s distribution Red squirrel Grey squirrel © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS 64

Energy and the Biosphere

Formula:

Food Chains and Energy Food chains are a visual organizer of how organisms eat. The arrows show the direction of intake so the arrows point from the plant to the rabbit eating it.

Trophic levels Primary Producer: Takes the energy from the sun and produces usable energy (green plants) Primary Consumer: Organisms that eat the plants for their energy (herbivores) e.g. Rabbits, cows, etc. Secondary Consumer:Organisms that feed on herbivores for their energy (carnivores or omnivores) e.g. fox, spider etc. Tertiary Consumer: Organisms that feed on organisms that have fed on herbivores to get their energy (e.g. sharks, lions, etc) REMEMBER: each level only 10% of energy is transferred. The rest is used up by the organism to sustain life.

Trophic Levels

Ecological Pyramids: Energy

Ecological Pyramids: Numbers

Ecological Pyramids: Biomass

Review

Bioaccumulation,biomagnification and water polltion Concentration of pesticides build up through the food chain. The higher the trophic level the higher the concentration. This is because the higher trophic levels need to eat more individual organisms to survive so intake more pesticides. DDT and PCB are the examples(textbook, p.26)

Bioaccumulation,biomagnification and water polltion Biomagnification is the increase in concentration of a toxin as it moves from one trophic level to another. Bioaccumulation is a process in which materials, especially toxins, are ingested by an orgsanism at a rate greater than they are eliminated

Food Chains & Food Webs

Food Webs and Energy Pyramids Amoeba Sisters

Watch:

A food chain is a diagram that shows a step-by-step sequence of who eats whom in an ecosystem. A food web is a diagram that shows many possible food chains or feeding relationships that can involve any combination of the individuals in an ecosystem. The arrows in chains and webs always point to the organism doing the eating (Follow the Energy) Food Chain vs. Food Web- What’s the difference?

Which are the herbivores? Carnivores? What is the significance of the arrows? Why are decomposers important in a food chain?

Each member of the food chain occupies a specific trophic level and describes how an organism obtains its energy.

The first trophic level is the producer (e.g. plants) – converts energy from the sun The second trophic level is the primary consumer (e.g. herbivores) The third trophic level is the secondary consumer (e.g. omnivores or carnivores) Trophic Levels

Can more than one organism occupy a trophic level? YES!

The first trophic level houses the largest amount of energy. Each subsequent trophic level only houses 10 percent of the energy from the previous level (i.e. 90% is lost) Why is energy lost at each level? Not all of the organism is consumed. Not everything that is eaten is digested. Energy is lost as heat from the bodies of organisms. What do changes in trophic levels look like as you move up through the food chain?

How do trophic levels differ?

Food Pyramids display the distribution of organisms in a food chain through: Numbers of organisms at each trophic level. Biomass (kg) of organisms at each trophic level. Energy (kJ) available at each trophic level.

Food Pyramids

Pyramid of Numbers

Pyramid of Biomass

Pyramid of Energy 2nd Law of Thermodynamics: In every energy transformation, some energy is always lost There is no 100% energy conversion

Ecological Pyramids

Review Photosynthesis – produces glucose and oxygen by using sunlight and carbon dioxide Glucose is key energy molecule for consumers To be used it must be broken down 2 key processes: Cellular respiration (in presence of oxygen) Fermentation (in absence of oxygen) (by bacteria, fungi)

Photosynthesis – produces glucose and oxygen by using sunlight and carbon dioxide Glucose is key energy molecule for consumers To be used it must be broken down 2 key processes: Cellular respiration (in presence of oxygen) Fermentation (in absence of oxygen) (by bacteria, fungi) Cellular Respiration

Even though plants produce their own food they still have to break down some glucose themselves for their own life processes. Thus they also carry out cellular respiration. They produce much less CO2 than they consume however and utilise much less O2 than they produce. Extracting Energy from food

Greenhouse gases- atmospheric gases that prevent heat from leaving the atmosphere (thus increasing the temperature of the atmosphere). Water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane Greenhouse gases are essential to moderating the temperature of Earth Problem – enhanced greenhouse effect Greenhouse gases

Biomass in dead organisms was captured in time in areas where there was not enough oxygen to allow decomposition. Covered up, increased temp., increased pressures led to biomass being turned into coal, oil and natural gas. Have accumulated over millions of years Large portions have been consumed in last 2-3 centuries This has caused the CO2 and methane levels in atmosphere to increase. This has resulted in temp ↑ - aka global warming.

Fossil Fuels

Kyoto protocol Forest protection Recycling programs How to reduce CO2 in atmosphere

Cycling of Matter and Nutrient Cycles 95

The Biosphere Biosphere is the living surface of earth Lithosphere is the hard part of the earths surface Hydrosphere is the surface covered in water, both salt and fresh Atmosphere is the layer of air above the surface 96

Water Cycle 97

Carbon Cycle 98

Photosynthesis:

Respiration:

Photosynthesis & Respiration 99

Carbon Cycle Air contains carbon in the form of CO2 Plants use light to make sugars which contain carbon (photosynthesis) Organisms break down sugar molecules for energy and release carbon as waste (cellular respiration) Burning fossil fuels and woods release CO2 Organisms die and their carbon containing bodies decompose by bacteria and fungi and other decomposers. CO2 is released. Under certain conditions the remains of some dead organisms may gradually change into fossil fuels, gas, crude oil, coal (all rich in carbon)

100

Nitrogen Cycle                             101

Key Ideas: Earths atmosphere is 78% nitrogen (N2) Most organisms cannot use nitrogen in this format so it must be converted (fixated) Terrestrial Fixation: The soil contains bacteria that convert nitrogen to ammonium (NH4). Other soil bacteria take this ammonia and convert it into nitrate where plants can then absorb it. Nitrogen is passed through the food chain from this point. Aquatic Fixation: Cyanobacteria convert nitrogen into ammonium which is absorbed by plants. 102

Fixation by Lightning: High electricity converts atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates (NO3)

Humans convert nitrogen into ammonium and nitrates with high pressure and temperature to manufacture fertilizers

Different bacteria in land and water also can convert nitrates back to nitrogen to be released into the atmosphere. In sustainable ecosystems excess nitrogen is stored in rocks (lithosphere)

103

Phosphorous Cycle 104

Fertilizers and the Phosphorus Cycle Run off from fertilizers cause algal blooms blocks light for submerged plants, algae and other plants eventually die off, bacteria use oxygen during decomposition so oxygen levels get too low for fish to survive so they die off. Eutrophication: A process in which nutrient levels in aquatic ecosystems increase leading to an increase in the populations of primary producers (algae) 105

Populations and Ecosystems 106

Resources and exponential growth A population: a group of organisms of one species that lives in the same place and the same time and can successfully reproduce. Growth occurs at a rate higher than what is needed to replace individuals that have left or died. Exponential growth in populations: -- Accelerating growth in population Typically short term, in new habitat with lots of resources, or when pressures are removed such as species protection 107

Exponential Growth . protection                                108

Exponential Growth and re-introduction Cases where habitat has been destroyed in the past can deplete a species. Ex. Deforestation When the habitat is reinstated it is possible to reintroduce the species and as long as the resources remain available exponential growth will occur. Ex. Wild turkeys went from 4400 to 70,000 in 20 years. 109

110

Limiting Factors Limiting factor is a factor that limits the growth, distribution or amount of a population in a ecosystem As the population increases the individuals have access to fewer resources, limiting the growth of population Examples: Lack of light,oxygen,space

111

Carrying Capacity Carrying capacity is the size of the population that can be supported indefinitely but the available resources and services of an ecosystem. When a population is maintained at carrying capacity it is at an equilibrium (Balanced) When a resource (food or abiotic factor) is being used at a rate that exceeds carrying capacity the population will drop to a natural equilibrium. 112

Human Activity and Carrying Capacity Urban Sprawl-the spreading of city area across natural habitats results in habitat loss. This affects the carrying capacity of many species. Intensification is a policy in Ontario to reduce urban sprawl. It requires that new development must occur within city limits. Intensification is one of the possible solutions to prevent habitat loss. 113

Interactions Among Species Ecological Niche The way that an organism occupies a position in an ecosystem, including all the necessary biotic and abiotic factors. Ex. Biotic niche of brown bat Insects it eats Competitors (common Nighthawk) Predators Abiotic niche of brown bat Places for roosting and hibernation Time of night it hunts Airspace it flies Temperature range it can tolerate 114

Biodiversity

Definition of Biodiversity The number and variety of life forms including species found within a specific region as well as all the number and variety of ecosystems within and beyond that region

For biodiversity to remain high, diverse ecosystems have to remain sustainable.

By protecting individual species and their ecosystems we are helping to maintain global biodiversity

How to Measure Biodiversity Canopy Fogging: low dose of pesticide sprayed at the tree top and the insects that fall are collected on a large screen, helps with learning about cycles of insects Quadrat sampling: a pre-made square of stakes and string 1m2 to 20m2. Different species and their numbers are counted within the quadrat. Counting is repeated many times in different places throughout the habitat to get an accurate representation

Measuring Biodiversity Transect sampling: using a transect line, unrolled into a habitat and marked at certain intervals where counting is done in the habitat Netting: nets captured birds and bats and fish. Once captured organism is identified tagging may occur, genetic analysis and measuring can be done before the organism is released.

Biodiversity Hotspots A place where there is an exceptionally large number of species in a relatively small area. In Canada: Carolinian Canada and the Leitrim Wetlands (both in Ontario) In tropics: East Africa, Lake Malawi 1000 fish compared to 150 in lake Erie Biodiversity index: number of species total number of organisms

Communities All the populations of the different species that interact in a specific area Dominant Species: so abundant, biggest biomass of any community member In terrestrial ecosystems dominant species are always primary producers Removal of a dominant species can result in lower biodiversity Keystone Species: a species that greatly affects population numbers and the health of an ecosystem. Generally not abundant and can be plants and animals. E.x. Sea otters (p.96)

Sea otters keystone species

Ecosystem Engineers Species that cause dramatic changes to the landscape and create ecosystems. E.g. Beavers with their dams creating calm beaver pond ecosystems which many organisms favour over rushing water from a river. Succession: series of changes in a ecosystem that occur over time, following a disturbance. Each stage is ideal for a different species until you get to the most diverse

Succession diagram

Aquatic succession: ponds

Threats to Biodiversity

Habitat Loss Deforestation: trees cut and never replanted (for timber or agriculture reasons) Tropical forests only cover 7% of Earth’s land yet contain over half of Earth’s species. Wetland drainage:6% of the earths surface, 24% of all wetlands are in Canada (Manitoba and Ontario) Habitat loss and species loss are one problem but also plants in wetlands help filter out sediment and pollutants from the water helping to keep it clean.

Alien Species Introducing new (non-native) species from a different area into an ecosystem. May be purposeful or an accident through shipments of goods by humans Most alien species are harmless or even beneficial in their new ecosystem

Invasive Species An alien species that takes over the habitat of native species Upset equilibrium (balance) of the ecosystem Many aquatic invasive species are transported in the ballast water of a ship (helps to keep the boat in balance) Ballast water is like a huge aquarium containing fish, and microscopic organisms ZEBRA MUSSELS AND LAKE ERIE GOBIE and the GREAT LAKES

Over Exploitation Taking too much of a resource for human use to the point of resource depletion The cod fishery on the East coast is an example of this

Ecosystem connectivity Several ecosystems are connected through the lifecycle of some of it’s organisms. Ex. Salmon: they hatch in fresh water stream temperate rain forest (B.C.) Spend adult life in Pacific ocean picking up and storing nutrients Return to birth place to spawn (breed) Bears catch salmon bring into the forest and the nutrients from the ocean are released into the forest as its body decays.

Extinction Death rate remains higher than birth rate for a long time= species will go extinct Not necessarily only caused by humans, ecosystems change and species can go extinct because of this Patterns of natural extinction: Background extinction-slow change in ecosystems result in recurring extinction Mass extinction: sudden change in ecosystems on earth result in many species going extinct all at once.

Extinction

Current extinction rates Due to human presence rate is 100 to 1000x higher than normal background rates. This problem has been called the BIODIVERSITY CRISIS Resulted by humans and acts such as deforestation, habitat destruction and air and water pollution changing abiotic and biotic factors

Restoring ecology The renewal of degraded or destroyed ecosystems ( like the TED talks video) Reforestation methods: Seeding efforts and management have shown this works Wetland restoration: Alfred bog is an example Pg. 87 Water control is used to restore water to drained wetlands then replanting native species occurs Controlling alien species: Biocontrol: the use of a species to control the population growth or spread of an undesirable species Problems go with this-sometimes the species it controls can affect native species negatively. Gypsy moth and Parasitoid fly example

Controlling alien species Chemicals: poisons directly presented to the organisms to be controlled can have fairly contained results (e.g. killing rats on an island had big impacts on the rats population and minimal on the bird population of the island) Bioremediation: the use of living organisms to clean up contaminated areas naturally E.g. fungi, plants and bacteria can be used to extract contamination. Bioaugmentation: the use of organism to add essential nutrients to depleted soils E.g. clover planted to restore nitrogen levels naturally

The future of Restoration Ecology Alberta Tar sands result in almost complete habitat and ecosystem destruction The oil spill off the coast of New Mexico