Do Now!!

1. 12 Bio 2010 Do Now!! Ladybirds feed on aphids, which suck juice from plants • Describe the mode of life of the aphids • Describe the mode of life of the ladybirds Why do we need to know about modes of life when studying ecology? Define: Ecosystem and species

2. 12 Bio 2010 DO NOW!!! • What are the three types of adaptations?? • A species is..... • List four abiotic factors and three biotic factors? • What did the salt bag represent on Jamie?

3. 12 Bio 2010 Formal Homework to hand in on paper • Kiwi’s are native to NZ. Describe how they are adapted to their environment.

4. Habitat, Adaptations, and Ecological Niche SBHS 12 Bio 2010

5. 12 Bio 2010 Habitat Habitat: the physical location where an organism lives Usually defined in terms of the physical characteristics of the environment e.g. The habitat of the mussel is the mid tide zone Ys

6. 12 Bio 2010 What are adaptations? • How do you think they fit into ecology?

7. 12 Bio 2010 Adaptations • Inherited characteristics that enable an organism to survive or reproduce more effectively • Grouped into three types • Structural (morphological) – - prickles on a gorse bush deter herbivores • Behavioural • Suckling behaviour of young calves ensure they get a supply of milk • Physiological - Blood of tuna fish quite warm – enables them to swim quickly

8. 12 Bio 2010 Demonstration • Animal adaptations for arctic, desert, and aquatic habitats • Take notes on some the adaptations modelled • Demo Notes

9. 12 Bio 2010 • Tuna and Swordfish. Fish have long been thought to be cold blooded. Tuna and swordfish dive deep into the ocean where the water is very cold. Swordfish are able to raise the temperature of their brains and eyes, which allows faster eye movements when hunting. Tuna are able to warm their entire bodies through a heat exchange mechanism called the retemirabile, which helps keep heat inside the body, and minimizes the loss of heat through the gills. They also have their swimming muscles near the center of their bodies instead of near the surface, which minimises heat loss.

10. 12Bio 2007 Ecological Niche • It is the role or way of life in a community. The niche depends upon the mode of life, adaptive features, and the habitat of the organism (ESA) • It describes the resources of the habitat and the total collection of adaptations that allow the organism to exploit those resources (BAYLEY)

11. 12 Bio 2010 An example!! • The niche of the native rat could be described as that of “an omnivorous rodent of high reproductive rate that takes advantage of fluctuating food supplies in the grass or bush which it inhabits on offshore islands of NZ” • COPY and highlight mode of life – adaptations, habitat – Homework: Find two ecological niches of NZ plants/animals

12. 12 Bio 2010 • Pg. 274 Biozone • Pg. 23 Bayley • Using these two sources in pairs come up with your own paragraph using diagrams if applicable for the difference between realised niche and fundamental niche!!

13. 12 Bio 2010 Fundamental vs Realised Niche • FUNDAMENTAL NICHE refers to the resources a population could theoretically use if in an ideal situation • As a result of direct and indirect interactions with other organisms, species occupy a niche that is narrower than this and to which they are best adapted – termed REALISED NICHE

14. 12 Bio 2010 Fundamental vs Realised Niche • FUNDAMENTAL NICHE refers to the resources a population could theoretically use if in an ideal situation • As a result of direct and indirect interactions with other organisms, species occupy a niche that is narrower than this and to which they are best adapted – termed REALISED NICHE • Read pg. 23 Bayley – Copy example in your book and write in your own words a caption regarding fundamental and realised niche

15. Rocky shore 12Bio 2007 Big barnacles removed Normal situation Small barnacles removed Rocky shore Rocky shore Realised niche Fundamental niche

16. 12 Bio 2010 Niche Size – thinking exercise – put diagram on board • BZ pg 72 • Notes on file • Intraspecific and interspecific competition

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18. 12 Bio 2010 Ecological Equivalents?? • Organisms with different evolutionary backgrounds but occupy similar niches. • e.g. Rabbits, kangaroos, and takahe all grazing herbivores

19. 12 Bio 2010 Example of a Niche • The native rat: ‘an omnivorous rodent of high reproductive rate that takes advantage of fluctuating food supplies in the grass of busy which it inhabits on offshore islands of NZ” • Mode of life, adaptive features, habitat

20. 12 Bio 2010 Gauses Principle • Watch video and answer questions • http://www.5min.com/Video/Interspecific-Competition-Ecological-Niches-151425971

21. 12 Bio 2010 Gause’s Principle – competitive exclusion • Background - Paramecium • ‘No two species can occupy the same ecological niche in the same period for an indefinite period of time’ • Example: NZ flax caterpillars • Two species found on flax leaves – one chews the edges of the leaves, leaving notches, while the other species rasps at the middle of the leaf blade. These species, although occupying the same habitat (flax leaf) do not have the same ecological niche because their feeding habits differ

22. 12Bio 2007 Competitive exclusion • Gause’s principle states that no two organisms that have the same requirements for the same limiting resources can survive in the same place • That is, no two organisms can occupy the same ecological niche