Ecology(N)

• 4 main spheres

  Lithosphere (Rocks)

  Biosphere (Living things)

  Atmosphere (air, gases)

  Hydrosphere (rain, oceans)
• Atmosphere?: Layer of gases around the earth (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen)
• Benefits of the atmosphere?

  Helps to moderate the earths temperature and blocks solar radiation and UV light.
• Lithosphere: The rocky outer shell of earth. Consists of rocks and minerals. Ex Mountains, OCEAN FLOORS.
• Hydrosphere: All of the earths water in solid, liquid and gas form.
• Biosphere: bio=life
• List an example of the 4 spheres interacting: Rain (hydro) falls on the soil (litho) which causes grass (bio) to grow.
• Gaia Hypothesis: Proposed that earth behaves like a living organism due to interactions among the 4 spheres
• How is earths mass related to its ability to have an atmosphere: Earths mass creates a fore of gravity strong enough to hold gases near its surface. (bigger planet can maintain bigger atmosphere)
• If earth is so large, why do scientists consider the biosphere to be weak:

  Because the biosphere in comparison to the earth is very thin.
• Birds are a part of the: biosphere
• An event: Something that causes a change in 1 or more spheres.
• A change: A change in one sphere results in changes in others.
• Spheres are affected by natural and human events on our planet such as: Volcanoes, Earthquakes, pollution, oil spills and storms.
• An ecosystem: All the living organisms that share a region and interact with each other and their non-living environment.
• Abiotic: Non living components on an ecosystem (Temp,Wind, Water And Rocks)
• Biotic: The living components of an environment (Grass, animals trees)
• Ecosystems can be divided into _ groups: 2
• Natural ecosystems: An ecosystem that has occurred overtime due to the effects of nature. Meadows, Forests, Ponds and Streams
• Artificial ecosystem: An ecosystem that is planned and maintained by humans. (Park, zoos, farms and school yards.)
• Aquatic Ecosystem: An ecosystem that exists in a water body. (Pond,river,lake,swamps and streams)
• Terrestrial Ecosystem: An ecosystem that exists on land (mountain, grassland and urban/artificial.
• Bio-diversity: Number of diffirent species in an ecosystem
• Ecology: Study of how species interact with each other and their environments.
• Community: Different populations that live in the same area.
• Population: All the individuals of a single species that live in the same area.
• Habitat: The place where an organism lives
• Ecological Niche: When a species interacts with its environment and other species. (How it behaves)
• Sustainability: An ecosystem is sustainable if it can maintain natural conditions without interruption, weakening or loss of biodiversity for long periods of time.
• % of energy reflected by clouds or earths surface: 30
• % of energy absorbed by the atmosphere water and land: 70
• % absorbed by living organisms: 0.023
• Producers: Produce their own food by doing photosynthesis. (Plants)
• Chlorophyll: A chemical in plants that absorbs light energy
• Photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide + water + light energy= Glucose and oxygen
• Consumers: Obtain energy by eating other organisms that contained stored energy. (Humans)
• Cellular Respiration: The sugar and oxygen are changed into water and carbon dioxide, and energy is released. (Opposite of Photosynthesis).
• Herbivore: Eats plant only
• Energy is converted into diffirent forms But: Never returns to its source
• Water Cycle: Condensation to Precip to surface runoff or groundwater to Ocean to evaporation and repeat