2018 ECOLOGY (B&C) - PowerPoint Presentation

2018 ECOLOGY (B&C) KAREN LANCOUR National Bio Rules Committee Chairmankarenlancour@charter.net C. Robyn Fischer National Event Supervisor

Ecology Events Ecology – principles of ecology related to terrestrial environments – 2 year rotation by biomes ( 1- tundra & forests & 2-grasslands & deserts) Water Quality – principles of ecology related to aquatic environments – 2 year rotation by aquatic biomes (1-freshwater & 2- marine & estuary) Green Generation (Environmental Science) – man’s impact on ecology and possible solutions – 2 year rotation by problem issues (1-Aquatic, Air, Climate & 2-Terrestrial, Population Growth)

Event Rules – 2018 DISCLAIMER This presentation was prepared using draft rules.  There may be some changes in the final copy of the rules.  The rules which will be in your Coaches Manual and Student Manuals will be the official rules.

Event Rules – 2018 BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2018 EVENT RULES FOR EVENT PARAMETERS AND TOPICS FOR EACH COMPETITION LEVEL

TRAINING MATERIALS Training Power Point – content overviewTraining Handouts – content information Sample Tournament – sample problems with key Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, setup needs, and scoring tipsInternet Resources & Training Materials – on the Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org under Event Information A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Ecology CD as well as the Division B and Division C Test Packets are available from SO store at www.soinc.org

EVENT COMPONENTS Ecology Content – 2018 PART 1-Principles of Ecology (about 1/3)PART 2- Terrestrial Ecosystem – Grasslands and Deserts of North America (about 1/3)PART 3- Human Impact on Ecosystems (about 1/3) Process skills in data, graph and diagram analysis Event parameters – check the event parameters in the rules for resources allowed.

PART I: General Principles of Ecology ECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another and with their environment ENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components ABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures BIOTIC – living component are other organisms .

ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION INDIVIDUAL – individual organisms POPULATION – organisms of same species in same area (biotic factors)COMMUNITY – several populations in same area (biotic factors) ECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors BIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth

ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS Homeostasis – delicate balance Components Physiological Ecology Temperature and Water Balance Light and Biological Cycles Physiological Ecology and Conservation

ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS Properties of populationsPatterns of distribution and density Intra-specific competitionPopulation dynamicsGrowth and regulationAltering population growthHuman impact

Growth Curves

Human Population

Survival Curves Survivorship is the percentage of remaining survivors of a population over time; usually shown graphically.     Type I survivorship curve: most individuals live out their life span and die of old age ( e.g., humans).      Type II survivorship curve : individuals die at a constant rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and perennial plants).       Type III survivorship curve : most individuals die early in life ( e.g., fishes, invertebrates, and plants).

ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES Closed vs. Open communities Closed – sharp boundariesOpen – Lack boundaries Species abundance and diversity Trophic Structure of Communities Food chains Food web Trophic pyramid

INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES Interactions Interspecific competitionPredationExploitation Symbiosis

Types of Species Interactions Neutral – two species do not interact Mutualism – both benefit Commensalism – one benefits, other neutral Parasitism – one benefits, one harmed but not usually killed Predation – one benefits, other usually killed

Predator - Prey Relationship

Food Chain Producer 1st order Consumer or Herbivore2nd order Consumer or 1st order Carnivore3 rd order Consumer or 2 nd order Carnivore 4 th order Consumer or 3 rd order Carnivore Decomposers – consume dead and decaying matter

Food Web

ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS Energy Flow Energy Flow Pyramids Bio-mass PyramidsCommunity Succession and StabilityNutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles

Energy vs Nutrient Nutrients – cyclic (Biogeochemical Cycles) Energy flow – one way

Ecologic Pyramids Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above. Numbers pyramid - compares the number of individuals in each trophic level. Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight of the organisms in each trophic level . Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of energy available in each trophic level. This energy is usually measured in kilocalories.

Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow Pyramids

Biogeochemical Cycles Hydrologic Cycle Phosphorus CycleNitrogen Cycle Carbon Cycle

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Biosphere Types of Ecological SpheresBiosphere LithosphereHydrosphereAtmosphereBiogeochemical Cycles Disruption of Biosphere Species Extinction & Biosphere Destruction

ECOSYSTEM STABILITY Ecosystem stability and the response of ecosystems to disturbance are of crucial importance Biological diversity acts to stabilize ecosystem functioning in the face of environmental fluctuation. Variation among species in their response to such fluctuation is an essential requirement for ecosystem stabilityClimate change and other human-driven (anthropogenic) environmental changes will continue to cause biodiversity loss in the coming decades

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

ADAPTATION

TYPES OF ADAPTATIONS Structural, Physiological and Behavioral Adaptations help species to survive in their environment. Most organisms have combinations of all three types

Extinction There are natural causes Man’s activities have accelerated extinctionrates.

Part 2: ECOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS 2017 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NATundra Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)Deciduous Forests 2018 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA Grasslands Deserts

Terrestrial Ecosystems Latitude vs. Altitude

Ecosystems: Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial Biomes

Adaptations of Plants & Animals Not intended to be a taxonomic event Emphasis on adaptations of common plants and animals to each biome Common members of food chains and food webs of each biome Limiting factors for each biome

ANNUAL RAINFALL OF BIOMES

BIOMES OF THE US  The Ecology event will concentrate on the US biomes –   deserts grasslands forests taiga tundra

Adaptations of Plants & Animals Not intended to be a taxonomic event Emphasis on adaptations of common plants and animals to each biome Common members of food chains and food webs of each biome Limiting factors for each biome

Grasslands of North America

Grasslands – Abiotic factors Moderate temperature with notable extremes: -20° F to 110° F common, and even colder temperatures in the north Precipitation is too low to support trees but too great for deserts to form Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm)Scattered rain and lightening common in summer months ("convection storms") with more general rains and snows in winter months Fire a major factor in maintaining biome Droughts may be severe

Grasslands – Plants Grasses are major producer with several genera and species common but usually with one or two dominate Herbs and legumes (nitrogen fixing) among the grasses Many plants possess rhizomes (underground stems) and are wind pollinatedSoils generally fertile, deep and rich in nutrients (Bread baskets of the world)Growing season of 120-200 daysGenerally flat to rolling topography

North American Grassland (Prairie) types

Grasslands (Prairies) of North America Tall-grass Prairie: eastern unit – nearest to Eastern Deciduous Forests Tall grasses (3-4 ft or 1-1.5 m tall) with roots up to 6 feet deep24-40 in (65-100 cm) precipitation annually Mid-grass Prairie: between Tall Grass and Short Grass – gradual change Grasses to 4 ft (1.5 m) tall, mixture of sod and "bunch" grasses. 14-25 in (35-65 cm) precipitation annually Short-grass Prairie : western element, largest. Nearest to deserts of west US Short grasses (less than 20 in or 50 cm tall) About 10 in precipitation annually. Conservation Concerns : Majority of tall- and mid-grass prairie are now farmland. Short-grass prairie is grazed, some areas are now overgrazed

Grasslands (Prairie) in North America

Grassland (Prairie)Plant Adaptations Native plants are perennials while crop grains are annuals Grasses have three strata – roots, growth at ground level, and taller foliage Half of growth may be below groundGrazed taller foliage will grow backTaller foliage above ground adapted to withstand strong winds, fires, extreme temperature changes

Grasslands – Animal Dominated by grazing animals (deer, antelope, buffalo - once common but now rarely native to the range)Herds (safety in numbers) Burrowing small animals (colonies such as prairie dogs)Rodents and Jack Rabbits Flight song birds – strong fliers Insects esp. grasshoppers

Grassland (Prairie) Animal adaptations Long distance vision for predator & prey Eyes of grazing animals well above snoutMany are built for speed – live in herds or coloniesSmall creatures can stand on haunchesSome hop up and down or hop long distances Camouflage coloration Underground burrows Birds – strong fliers (strong winds), flight song birds to attract mates in air, nest in tall grass

GRASSLAND FOOD WEB

Grassland (Prairie)Environmental Concerns Most disturbed biome – farming & domestic grazing with fences Annuals replace perennials with annual soil disturbance by the plowOvergrazing problems – “dust bowl”Biodiversity disturbed – extinct & endangered speciesFire allowed vs fire control Native grasslands being reintroduced

Deserts Regions of low, sparse vegetation with minimal precipitation and humidity Food webSpecial adaptationsPlant and animals Temperature variations Special environmental issues Effect of human populations

Deserts – Abiotic Features Regions of low, sparse vegetation with minimal precipitation and humidity; high temperatures during some of the year and great daily temperature fluctuations Cover 1/5 of earth’s land surfaceScarcity of water – less than 25 cm (10 inches) of precipitation per year Water loss – tendency for water loss may exceed annual rainfall

Deserts – Abiotic factors Relatively poor soil quality – high mineral content but little organic matterIntense solar radiation – strong tendency to lose water by evaporationTemperature variation – daytime over 120 degrees and drops as sun sets Winters – may be cold

Deserts – Plants Succulent plants – “juicy plants” as cacti store water, spines are remnants of leavesAnnuals – dormant during dry season, germinate and grow rapidly to seed after rains Desert shrubs – have small thick leaves with sunken stomates

Desert – Plant Adaptations Succulents store water in stems – no stomates to lose water – green stems functions of leaves – spines thought to be remnant leavesAnnuals have short life cycle of flower to seed after rain – seeds during dry times Shrubs have small thick leaves with sunken stomates with widely branching roots which rapidly collect moisture or deep tap roots to underground moisture as mesquite. Some depend upon animals digestion for dispersal of seeds

Deserts – Animals Insects and scorpionsLizards and Snakes Birds – from hummingbirds to roadrunnersBatsSmall mammals as rodents Larger mammals as coyotes

Deserts – Animal Adaptations Burrow for protection from heat Conserve water loss from evaporation, exhalation, elimination of body wasteNocturnal activity when cooler or hide/burrow during day to protect from heat Many cold blooded insects and reptiles Exoskeletons or scales

Deserts - Animal Adaptations Lizards & scorpions – no glands in skin so do not sweat Mammals – panting & large ears – nocturnal hunters - many lack sweat glands Concentrate waste as urea or crystallized uric acid Become sluggish during intense heat

DESERT FOOD WEB

Types of Deserts Hot - Arid regions with little or no annual precipitation, usually rain, no snow or frost Warm - Arid regions where precipitation falls seasonally principally as rain, some snow and frost each yearCold - Arid regions where precipitation falls sparingly principally as snow and permafrost is not a factor

Deserts of North America Warm Desert – Mojave Desert Warm Desert – Sonoran DesertWarm Desert – Chihuahuan DesertCold Desert – Intermountain West or Great Basin

Environmental Concerns – Deserts Many endangered, rare and unusual plants and animals live in the desert. Slow to recover from habitat damageDesert expansion – growth of deserts in parts of the worldFlooding problems during rains Competition of man for limited water supply

BIODIVERSITY It is the number of different organisms & their relative frequency in an ecosystem Levels of Biodiversity:Genetic diversity – varies in the genetic make-up among individuals within a single speciesSpecies diversity – variety among the species or distinct types of living organisms found in different habitats of the planetEcological diversity – variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, streams, lakes, oceans, wetlands, and other biological communities.

SPECIES DIVERSITY LEVELS ALPHA- WITHIN HABITATBETA – BETWEEN COMMINITIES GAMMA – IN A REGION

PART 3 – HUMAN IMPACT ON TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS Environmental concerns for tundra, taiga, and deciduous forestsRole of these ecosystems in Earth’s climate Major Environmental Issues Conservation Biology – goals, environmental threats, actions

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING TERRESTRIAL BIOME Pollution of Air, Water and Land Hazardous Chemicals and Wastes Land Degradation Loss of Biodiversity Ozone Depletion Climate ChangeEnvironmental Factors Loss of natural and cultural resources Habitat loss Overexploitation Exotic species and introductions Overpopulation

Pollution Harmful materials entering the environmentPoint source pollution – from a clearly identifiable source Nonpoint pollution comes from many different sources.Four main categories – industrial, residential, commercial, and environmental

Acid Rain

Greenhouse Effect

Ozone Depletion

Ozone Hole over Antartica Source: NASA

Biodiversity Threats

Habitat Fragmentation & Destruction Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a process that describes the emergences of discontinuities (fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of the environment inhabited by an organism. It results in Loss of resident species Loss of food sources Loss of ecosystem functions provided by the habitat

INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEMS World-wide problem Increase in travel and trade open routes In U.S. costs $137 billion dollars per year Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species . Raise havoc in ecosystems and threaten species diversity

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY Ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the physical environment. Conservation Biology is the scientific study of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions. Conservation biologists investigate the impact of humans on Earth's biodiversity and develop practical approaches to prevent the extinction of species and promote the sustainable use of biological resources

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Strategies for a Sustainable World advancing technologies to reduce wasteincreasing recycling and reuse creating even safer treatment and disposal optionsdeveloping sources of renewable energysharing the benefits of our learning and innovation

MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY

CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES

INVASIVE SPECIESControl Methods Prevention Eradicating potential invaders soon after invasion Physical (manual & mechanical) Cultural – Ecosystem Management Biological – natural enemies Chemical - pesticides Integrated Pest Management – Uses a combination of methods – OFTEN MOST EFFECTIVE

RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED AREAS

REINTRODUCTION OF SPECIES ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Nonrenewable vs. Renewable Energy Sources Non-renewable energy sources – fossil fuels as coal, oil and natural gas as well as nuclear fuels – limited supply will run out and have negative environmental impacts Renewable energy sources – sun, wind, waves, heat, hydropower and biomass that can be used again and again and is cleanest energy sources. There are pros and cons for each type of energy