I. VOCABULARY:

  • ______- The scientific study of interaction between organism and their environments.
  • Environments:
  • ______–all the living organism that inhabit an environment
  • ______– the nonliving parts of the environment
  • Ex: air currents, temperature, moisture, light, and soil
  • ______- group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring
  • ______– is a group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time
  • Organisms compete for food, water, mates.
  • Determines how large each population can become
  • ______– is a collection of interacting populations
  • A change in one population in a community will cause changes in the other populations
  • ______- The interacting system of a biological community and its nonliving environment.
  • ______- Place where an organism lives;
  • Even in the same ecosystem, different organisms differ in their habitats.

II. SPECIES RELATIONSHIPS:

______- Organisms that produce their own food are called ______.

oEx: Plants

oall of the species of the ecosystem depend on autotrophs for nutrients and energy.

______

a. use light (solar) energy to power chemical reactions that convert C02 and H2O into O2 and energy rich carbohydrates (sugars and starches)

b. CO2 + H2O ---- O2 + C6H12O6

c. Principal autotrophs * Plants * Algae * Cynobacteria (cyno-blue)

______- use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

a. Some autotrophs produce food in the absence of light

b. Convert H2S into chemical energy

1). Performed by several types of bacteria

2) Occurs in volcanic vents, deep-ocean vents, hot springs

______- They obtain food by eating other organisms.

oAll the organisms that cannot make their own food (and need autotrophs) are called______. There are different levels of consumers:

 Those that feed directly from producers, i.e. organisms that eat plant or plant products are called______.

______- eat primary consumers

______- eat secondary consumers

______- eat tertiary consumers

______= arole that an organism has in the environment (based on what they eat)No two species can share the same niche in the same habitat. However two different species can occupy niches that are very similar

1. ______- consumer that eats only plants

Ex: grasshoppers, mice, rabbits, deer, beavers, moose, cows, sheep

2. ______- consumer that eats only other animals.

Ex: Foxes, frogs, snakes, hawks, and spiders.

3. ______– consumer that eats the remains of dead animals.

Ex: vultures, buzzards, crows, ants, beetles

4. ______- eats both plants (acting as primary consumers) and meat (acting as secondary or tertiary consumers).

Ex: Bears --They eat insects, fish, moose, elk, deer, sheep as well as honey, grass

5. ______- organisms that break down the remains of other organisms.

Ex: Bacteria and fungi

6. ______an organism that ingest dead plant and animal remains

Example: Earthworm

Different from decomposers in that decomposers absorb the dead material

III. MATTER & ENERGY IN ECOSYSTEMS:

  • ______- Show one prey-predator relationship and how each living thing gets its food.
  • Some animals eat plants and some animals eat other animals.
  • Ex: Trees/shrubs  giraffes  lions
  • ______-link represented by each organism in a food chain;
  • Represents a feeding step in the transfer of ______and matter in an ecosystem.

oIllustrates:

1. Who eats who?

2. ______= energy flow through the community

3. Functional feeding groups

4. Important ecological interactions

  • The total energy transfer from one trophic level to the next is only about ______, the other 90% is lost as ______
  • ______– shows the amount of energy available from the producer as it progresses up the chain. Expressed in Joules (J) or Calories (Cal)
  • ______-amount of living tissue within a given trophic level.
  • Expressed in grams of organic matter/unit area
  • Represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem.
  • (biomass- grams of organic matter per unit area)
  • ______-expresses number of individual organisms at each trophic level. Does not always take on a traditional pyramid shape because of the size of organisms contributing to any one category.

______- model used to express feeding relationship among the members of a community.

oAgroup of interlinked ______

Community Interactions

Community interactions can powerfully affect an ecosystem

•______

–Occurs when organisms of the same or different species attempt to use an ecological resource (necessity for life) in the same place at the same time …what are some resources competed for?

–Direct competition in nature often results in a winner and a loser-with the loser failing to survive. ______

•______-Interaction where one organism captures (predator) and feeds on another organism (prey)

  • ______– permanent, close association between two or more organisms of different species
  • 3 types:

1. ______– one species benefits and the other species is neither harmed nor helped

Ex: an orchid growing on the branch of a larger plant

2. ______– relationship that is beneficial to both species

Ex: acacia trees (provides food/shelter for ants) and ants (protect tree by attacking any herbivore)

3. ______– one species benefits at the expense of the other species

Ex: ticks, tapeworms live on or in the organism

VII. Nutrient Cycles
  • The Water Cycle
  1. Water cycles between the oceans, atmosphere and land.
  1. Water enters the atmosphere as______, a gas, when water evaporates from the ocean or other bodies of water.
  • Evaporation—the process by which water changes from a ______to a ______.
  1. Water can also enter the atmosphere by evaporating from the leaves of plants—Transpiration.
  2. Precipitation--______,______, ______, or ______
  3. The sun heats the ______.
  4. Warm, moist air rises and cools.
  5. Eventually, the water vapor condenses into tiny droplets that form ______.
  6. When the droplets become large enough, the water return to Earth’s surface.
  7. Run-off—Precipitation runs along the surface of the ground until it enters a river or a stream that
carries the run-off back to an ______or lake.
  1. Seepage—Rain also seeps into the soil, some of it deeply enough to become ______. Water in the soil enters plants through the ______, and the water cycle begins anew.


  • The Carbon Cycle
  1. Every______molecule contains the element ______.
  1. Carbon and oxygen form ______gas (CO2), an important component of the ______.
  2. Carbon dioxide is taken in by plants during ______and is given off by plants and animals during ______.
  3. Cellular respiration is a process where cells transform chemical energy (sugar) into a useable form of energy (______).
  1. Four main types of processes move carbon through its cycle:
  1. Biological processes, such as______, ______, and ______, take up and release carbon and oxygen.
  2. Geochemical processes, such as ______and volcanic activity, release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and oceans.
  3. Mixed biogeochemical processes, such as the burial and decomposition of ______and their conversion under pressure into ______and ______(fossil fuels), store carbon underground.
  4. Human activities, such as ______, cutting and ______forests, and burning ______(car emissions, electricity), release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  • The Nitrogen Cycle
  1. All organisms require nitrogen to make ______, which in turn are used to build ______.
  1. Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of Earth’s ______.
  2. Nitrogen containing substances such as ______(NH3), ______(NO2-), and ______(NO3-) are found in the wastes produced by many organisms and in dead and ______organic matter.
C. Nitrate is major component of plant ______.
  1. Nitrogen gas is the most abundant form but only certain ______can use this form.
A. Such bacteria live in the ______and on the ______of plants (Legumes- soybeans, clover, alfalfa).
B. These bacteria convert nitrogen gas into ammonium-- ______
C. Other bacteria in the soil convert ammonia into ______and ______.
3. Once the nitrites and nitrates are available,______(plants) can use them to make______.
  • ______then eat the producers and reuse the nitrogen to make their own proteins.
4.When organisms die, ______return nitrogen to the soil as ammonia.
5.Other soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas--______. This process releases nitrogen into the atmosphere once again.






:

Directions:

1)Construct a food webusing the animals listed below in the box. This ecosystem represents a farm area. The corn is the main source of food for many of the herbivores in the area. You do not have to draw pictures; you can just use the animal names and draw arrows between them.

  • CORN
  • SNAKE(eats: mouse, squirrel)
  • CATERPILLAR (eats: corn)
  • DEER (eats: corn)
  • CROW(eats: corn, snake, mouse, caterpillar)
  • MOUSE (eats: corn, caterpillar)
  • COUGAR (eats: deer, mouse, snake, squirrel)
  • SQUIRREL (eats: corn)
  • DECOMPOSERS (microorganisms)

2)What niche do the caterpillar, squirrel & deer have in this ecosystem? ______

3)What niche does the cougar have in this ecosystem? ______

4)Construct a food chain using 3 organisms from above (remember you must start with a producer!).

Nutrient Cycles Worksheet

Cycle Identification: Write the correct cycle (water, carbon, nitrogen) next to the following descriptions.

______1. Bacteria and plants help to transform a nutrient

______2. Precipitation and transpiration are a part of this cycle.

______3. Carbon dioxide plays an important role

______4. Legumes are important part of this cycle

______5. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis play akey role in this cycle

Short Answer: Using your notes, correctly answer the following questions.

1)What is transpiration?

2)What process occurs when soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas?______

3)What process occurs when bacteria converts nitrogen gas into ammonium?______

4)Explain one way that legumes are different from other plants when dealing with the nitrogen cycle?

5)List some examples of legumes. ______

6)What are 3 processes that move carbon through a cycle?

7)Where (and in what form) is the majority of the Earth’s carbon found?

8)What are 2 ways that water can enter the atmosphere?

9)What are 3 ways that water can enter lakes, streams and/or oceans?

Biome Identification

Directions: Based on the information provided, determine which biome (temperate forest, tundra, taiga, desert, rainforest, grassland) is being described.

This Biome has an average rainfall of 15-25 cm per year. Its temperature range is between -34⁰ and 12⁰C. The plant species here are short grasses and shrubs, while the animals are caribou, reindeer, polar bears, birds, insects, wolves, salmon and trout. Geographically it is located south of the polar ice caps in the Northern Hemisphere. Abiotic factors are soggy summers, permafrost as well as it being cold and dark much of the year.

What Biome is this?

This biome gets about 38-51 cm of rain each year. Its average temperature is between -68⁰ and 32⁰C. Plant species found here are spruce and fir trees, as well as deciduous trees and small shrubs. Animal species found here are birds, moose, beavers, deer, wolverines and mountain lions. The geographic location of this biome is the northern part of North America, Europe and Asia. Abiotic factors that impact this biome are summers being short and moist, winters being long, cold and dry.

What Biome is this?

Approximately 75 – 150 cm of rainfall on this biome each year. The average temperature range is -30⁰ to 30⁰C. Plants that thrive in this biome are oak, beech and maple trees, as well as shrubs. Animal varieties are squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds, deer, foxes and black bears. Geographically, this biome is south of the taiga in eastern North America, eastern Asia, and Europe. Well-defined seasons, hot summers and cold winters define this biome.

What Biome is this?

15 – 26 cm of precipitation fall on this biome annually. The temperature ranges can be as high as 20⁰ to 49⁰C, and as low as 2⁰ to 26⁰C. Plant species found here are cacti, Joshua trees, and succulents. Animal species found here are lizards, bobcats, birds, tortoises, cats, antelope, pygmies and desert toads. Geographically, this biome is found on every continent except Europe. Abiotic factors that influence this biome are varying temperatures and low rainfall.

What Biome is this?

50 – 150 cm of rain fall on this biome each year. The temperature fluctuates only modestly between 24⁰ and 49⁰C. Grasses and scattered trees are the backdrop to lions, hyenas, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, birds and insects. Africa, South America, and Australia are locations to go if you want to visit this biome. Abiotic factors that influence the makeup of the biome are hot and rainy summers, as well as cool and dry winters.

What Biome is this?

125 to upwards of 660 cm of rainfall cover this biome. Temperatures range between 20 ⁰ and 34⁰C. Plant species found here are broadleaf evergreens, bamboo, fig and coconut trees. Animals that feed off of and live on these plants are chimpanzees, Bengal tigers, elephants, orangutans, bats, toucans, sloths, and cobras. This biome is located in Central and South America, southeastern Asia, western Africa, as well as northeastern Australia. Abiotic factors that influence this biome are that it is humid all year, as well as hot and wet.

What Biome is this?

Populations Dynamics Worksheet

1)What is the difference between density-independent factors and density-dependent factors?

2)List 2 density-independent factors.

  1. ______
  2. ______

3)List 2 density-dependent factors.

  1. ______
  2. ______

4)List 2 factors can limit the carrying capacity of a population?

  1. ______
  2. ______

5)Which type of population growth model does the graph on the right represent? ______

6)Using the graph below, why does the population growth level off at 10,000?

Ecology Review Worksheet

Vocabulary Matching:

___1. Feeds on dead organisms

___2. Study of how living things relate to each other and to their environment

___3. Step in the passage of energy and matter through an ecosystem

___4. Relationship between organisms in which one benefits and the other is neither harmed nor benefited

___5. Relationship between organisms in which one organism benefits and the other is harmed

___6. Breaks down dead organisms

___7. Simple model for showing how matter and energy move through an ecosystem

___8. Place where an organisms spends its life

___9. The role an organism has in an ecosystem (carnivore, omnivore, etc)

___10. Manufactures food using energy from the sun; makes their own food

___11. Obtains energy and nutrients from autotrophs

___12. Network of interconnected food chains

___13. Group formed by several populations

___14. Relationship between organisms in which both organisms benefit

___15. Orderly, natural changes that take place in the communities of an ecosystem

___16. The maximum number of individuals in a species that an environment can support for the long term.

Short Answer:Provide the correct answers.

1)All energy originates with the ______.

2)A stable, mature community that undergoes little or NO succession is called a ______.

3)A forest fire destroys 10,000 acres of a forest and new grasses are starting to grow. This is an example of______.

4)______is the establishment of a community in an area of exposed rock that does not have any topsoil.

5)The process of increasing a chemical concentration through the food chain is called ______.

6)A large group of ecosystems that shares the same type of climax community is called a ______.

7)The total energy transfer from one tropic level to another is about ______%.

8)List two biotic factors in an environment.

  1. ______
  1. ______

9)List two abiotic factors in an environment.

  1. ______
  1. ______

10)What two factors determine where each biome is located on the earth?

  1. ______
  1. ______

11)The clownfish has shelter in the sea anemone and the sea anemone get food that the fish brings.What type of symbiosis is taking place between a clownfish and sea anemone? Why?

12) A tree provides a habitat for lichens, allowing it to receive ample sunlight. What type of symbiosis is taking place between a tree and lichen? Why?

13)A dog is infected with heart worms that weaken the heart muscles. What type of symbiosis is taking place between a dog and heart worm? Why?

14)Look at the following food chain: Plant  insect small bird  hawk

  1. How does energy flow in the food chain?

Biome Identification:Desert, Taiga, Tundra, Rainforest, Temperate Forest, Grassland

______1. The biome where we live (Pennsylvania)

______2. Has a lot of reptiles and rodents; succulents (cati)

______3. Receives about 17 feet of rain per year!

______4. Little precipitation; does not support trees, but grasses and herbs are abundant

______5. Vegetation exhibits 4 seasonal changes ______6. Lies below the tundra and has different species of fir and spruce trees

______7. Permafrost is present

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