CH 34 & 35
Ecology
34.1 The Biosphere is the Global Ecosystem

Ecology = study of organisms and their
environment
Biotic Factors = living components of
ecosystem
 Examples…
 Abiotic Factors = nonliving components of
ecosystem
 Examples…

34.1 5 Levels of Study
Individual Organisms
 Examples

34.1 5 Levels of Study
Populations = group of same species
living in the same area
 Examples

34.1 5 Levels of Study
Communities = all of the organisms living
in the same area
 Examples

34.1 5 Levels of Study
Ecosystems = abiotic plus biotic factors
 Examples

34.1 5 Levels of Study

Biosphere = sum of all ecosystems
34.1 Patchiness
Uneven distribution of factors creates
habitats
 Habitat = specific environment in which
organisms live
 Examples

Forests
 Marshes
 Ponds

34.1 Key Abiotic Factors
Sunlight
 Water
 Temperature
 Soil
 Wind
 Severe Disturbances

34.1 Concept Check Questions

1. Draw a diagram showing the
relationship among the five levels of
ecological study.
1.
Biosphere
Ecosystem
Community
Population
Organism
34.1 Concept Check Questions

2. Describe what is meant by the
"patchiness" of the environment.
34.1 Concept Check Questions
3. Explain the importance of sunlight as
an abiotic factor in terrestrial
ecosystems.
 Controls:

Temperature
 Humidity
 Photosynthesis rates
 Etc.

34.1 Concept Check Questions
4. Define biotic and abiotic factors and
give an example of each for a particular
ecosystem.
 Biotic- living factor



Grass, bacteria, squirrel, tree
Abiotic – nonliving factor

Rock, water, air
34.1 Concept Check Questions

5. Explain why it is more accurate to
define the biosphere as the global
ecosystem than as the global
community.

The biosphere includes abiotic as well as
biotic features… therefore the term
ecosystem is more appropriate.
34.2
Climate determines patterns in the biosphere

Sun’s rays
produce 3 zones:
Arctic
 Temperate
 Tropic

34.2

Difference in temperatures produces
winds… adding to effect
34.2

Local Climate = daily weather for a small
area (Sycamore vs. Chicago)
Can be different due to…
 Lake Michigan
 Mississipi River
 Valley


Microclimate = differences within area

Due to shade, buildings, above/below
ground
Concept Check 34.2
1. Explain how the uneven heating of
Earth's surface creates different
temperature zones.
2. How do surface currents affect climate
patterns?
3. Why might a town located on a large
lake be cooler in the summer than a
town 100 kilometers away from the lake?
4. Give an example of a microclimate
34.3

Biome = major type of terrestrial
ecosystem that covers a large area of
land
Major Biomes
tropical rain forest
 savanna
 desert
 chaparral
 temperate grassland
 temperate deciduous forest
 coniferous forest
 tundra

Tropical Rainforest
•Warm temps
•Up to 350 cm of precipitation/yr
•Diverse life forms
•Tall trees
•Poor soil quality
Savanna
Grassland with scattered shrubs and
trees
 Wet and dry seasons
 Mainly warm

Desert
Less than 30cm of precip/yr
 Hot days/cold nights
 Can be all cold

Chaparral
Along coasts
 Evergreen shrubs
 Wet winters
 hot dry summers

Temperate Grassland
Warm summers
 Cold winters
 Occasional fires

Deciduous Forest
•Significant
precipitation
•Trees drop leaves
each year
•Warm summers,
cold winters
Coniferous Forest
Dry and cold
 Evergreens
 Trees do NOT drop leaves
 AKA tiaga

Tundra
Permafrost
 Plants are low and shrubby
 Alpine or arctic
 Low light

Concept Check 34.3

1. What factors determine the type of
biome in an area?
2. Compare and contrast tropical rain
forests, temperate deciduous forests,
and coniferous forests.
3. Give an example of how a desert
organism has adapted to the abiotic
conditions there.
1.
Climate (temperature & precipitation)
and Latitude
34.4
Concept Check 34.4
1. Describe the abiotic factors that affect
organisms in ponds, streams, and
estuaries.
2. Compare and contrast the intertidal
zone, neritic zone, and oceanic zone.
3. Discuss sunlight as an abiotic factor in
coral reefs and vent communities.