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Ecosystems and Living Organisms

This chapter explores the concepts of ecosystems and the evolution of living organisms. It discusses key principles such as overproduction, variation, and the struggle for existence that lead to natural selection. The dynamics of biological communities are illustrated through examples like Darwin’s finches and succession processes. Furthermore, it delves into symbiotic relationships, predation, competition, and the ecological niche—highlighting the importance of species richness and ecosystem services in maintaining ecological balance.

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Ecosystems and Living Organisms

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  1. Chapter 4 Ecosystems and Living Organisms

  2. Evolution Overproduction Variation Struggle for existence Differential reproductive success • Genetic changes in a population through time. • Occurs through natural selection

  3. Evolution • Darwin’s Finches

  4. Evolution • Kingdoms of Life

  5. Biological Communities • Rotting Log Community

  6. Biological Communities Rocks Lichens Mosses • Succession: • How Communities Change over Time • Primary succession –

  7. Biological Communities Grasses Shrubs • Succession: How Communities Change over Time • Primary succession – Rocks Lichens Mosses

  8. Biological Communities Grasses Shrubs Trees • Succession: How Communities Change over Time • Primary succession – Rocks Lichens Mosses

  9. Biological Communities • Secondary Succession

  10. Interactions Among Organisms • Symbiosis – • one species living in or on another species • results from coevolution

  11. Interactions Among Organisms With mycorrhizae Without mycorrhizae • Symbiosis – • Three types 1) Mutualism

  12. Interactions Among Organisms Epiphytes • Symbiosis – • Three types 2) Commensalism

  13. Interactions Among Organisms Tracheal mites • Symbiosis – • Three types 3) Parasitism

  14. Interactions Among Organisms • Predation – predators consuming prey • Most common method:Pursuit and Ambush

  15. Interactions Among Organisms • Animals that consume plants = herbivores • Animals that consume animals = carnivores • (can be further subdivided based on prey type, such as an insectivore)

  16. Interactions Among Organisms • Defenses against predators: • Plant defenses – • spines, thorns • leathery leaves • toxic chemicals • thick waxes

  17. Interactions Among Organisms • toxic chemicals • Defenses against predators: • Animal defenses – • armor, spines

  18. Interactions Among Organisms • Defenses against predators: • Animal defenses – • armor, spines • toxic chemicals • camouflage • running away

  19. Interactions Among Organisms • Competition – • individuals attempting to utilize common resources • Intraspecific competition • Interspecific competition

  20. The Ecological Niche Green Anole Brown Anole • An organism’s adaptations, use of resources, lifestyle, and habitat. • Fundamental vs. Realized Niche • Example: Tale of Two Anoles

  21. The Ecological Niche Fundamental Niche of Green Anole Fundamental Niche of Brown Anole • Fundamental vs. Realized Niche Overlap Brown anole out-competes green anole, therefore . . .

  22. The Ecological Niche Realized Niche of Green Anole Realized Niche of Brown Anole • Fundamental vs. Realized Niche Overlap

  23. The Ecological Niche • Limiting Resources

  24. The Ecological Niche • Competitive Exclusion

  25. The Ecological Niche • Competitive Exclusion

  26. The Ecological Niche • Competitive Exclusion

  27. The Ecological Niche • Resource partitioning

  28. Keystone Species • Single species that strongly influences an entire community. • Example: figs • - frugivores depend upon fruit • - usually avoid figs, but during certain times of the year, figs are only species bearing fruit • - if figs were eliminated, many frugivores would die out

  29. Species Richness • Number of different species in a community

  30. Species Richness Forest Grassland ECOTONE Where edge effect occurs Typically greater species richness

  31. Species Richness Ecosystem services Ecosystem • Species Richness and Ecosystem Services Purify air / water Forests,Grasslands Produce / maintain soil Absorb CO2 Wildlife habitat Freshwater systems Moderate water flow Mitigate flooding Dilute / remove pollutants Drinking water Recreation

  32. Species Richness • Species Richness and Community Stability • Greater the richness = Greater the stability

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