Module 4 Ecosystem Dynamics

• Biological controls are being used to maintain pests.
• Population Dynamics: Inquiry Question: What effect can one species have on the other species in a community?
• Organisation within ecosystems: Biosphere contains all the living thighs on Earth
• Environments can positively or negatively impact an organism
• An organism living and non-living surrounds its ecosystem
• Abiotic factors are not easily disturbed
• Abiotic factors have their own unique way of thriving within the limits of the abiotic environment
• Water is a very effective filter of sunlight
• Rapid drop in temperature
• Oxygen levels
• Living organisms can affect each other by predation and symbiosis but also have an equally profound effect on resources.
• Food sources, mates, light, nutrients, water
• Predation: Predator obtains its food by killing and eating another animals
• Competition: Competition is usually for a resource in the environment that is limited supply but valuable for survival
• Symbiotic: Interactions in which two organisms live together in a close relationship that is beneficial to at least one of them
• Obligate relationship: species depend on each other to live
• Mutualism: Both organism benefit
• Commensalism: One species is benefited whilst the other is not harmed or helped
• Parasitism: One species benefits whilst the other is harmed
• Ecological Niches occupied by Species: The part of an ecosystem that the organism occupies is called a niche
• Fundamental niche: The perfect conditions and resources for an organism to live and reproduce
• Realised Niche: All the aspects of the ecosystem including the interactions of other species
• Consequences in ecosystems: Predation can effect the distribution and abundance of prey.
• Competition can effect reproduction and survival rates.
• Symbiosis can increase evolutionary diversification and development of new species from the integration of genetic material.
• More resilient ecosystems can lead to increased biodiversity.
• Disease can alter the balance of food webs and affected species will decline in numbers.
• Land degradation and agriculture refer to the removal of native vegetation for urban and agricultural development, removal of nesting and habitats of native animals, and loss of valuable minerals for an ecosystem.
• Mining sites are required to follow laws and strict guidelines, which include submitting information on how they intended to ensure minimal harm to environment.
• Agriculture, removal of trees, pollution, and irrigation are factors in human-induced species.
• Extinction opened niches for surviving organisms to expand into, leading to rapid development of species.
• Habitat loss is the leading cause of extinction, with most historic extinctions having occurred on islands due to a small habitat loss having devastating effects.
• Enhanced greenhouse is a factor in climate change.
• Models predicting biodiversity suggest that resources increase slow, humans grow quick, humans will outgrow their ability to feed themselves, and greater fertility will lead to starvation.
• The arrival of indigenous people and the introduction of non-native plants and animals are factors in ecosystems.
• Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity are types of biodiversity.
• Land degradation and agriculture have marked improvement in the management of Australian soils and waterways, with farm owners able to have their land inspected by scientists.
• Increasing population, use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides, medical breakthroughs with antibiotics, better hygiene and vaccinations, and increasing populations of humans lead to an increase of the demand of resources from ecosystems are factors in human-induced species.
• Climate change is a factor in ecosystems.
• Management of salinity and erosion are high priorities in land degradation and agriculture.