Objective 2.1
Analyze the interdependence of living organisms within their environments.
2.1.1
Analyze and compare the flow of energy and cycling of matter through ecosystems relating the significance of each to maintaining the health and sustainability of an ecosystem.
This topics focuses on the cycles occurring within an ecosystem. The cycles are:
This topics focuses on the cycles occurring within an ecosystem. The cycles are:
The Water(or Hydrologic) Cycle
The Water cycle is the continuous movement of water in and around the Earth. The water cycle is composed of several very basic parts. These parts include: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff, infiltration, and transpiration. Water is an important resource to all of us. We can get it from streams and rivers, glaciers, ground water, the ocean, and it can even be obtained from volcanic steam! Without the water cycle constantly working around us, the world would be a rather dull place and pretty much all of the organisms around us wouldn't be able to survive.
The Carbon Cycle
The carbon cycle is the continuous movement of carbon in and around the Earth. When animals breathe, carbon dioxide is released into the air. This helps keeps the earth from being frozen. Since the cycle is continuous, Plants are constantly absorbing this Carbon to turn into glucose and oxygen which is to our benefit! In recent years, The amount of carbon in the atmosphere has gotten a bit out of control. This is because fuels such as wood, coal, and gas have been overly burned to run our factories.
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen Cycle is yet another essential cycle in maintaining the Earth's health. Nitrogen makes up 80% of the gas found in Earth's atmosphere. Our bodies don't absorb nitrogen through inhalation, we get it from our food. Plants participate in the consumption of nitrogen from the soil. Nitrogen is commonly used as a fertilizer and when forrest fires occur, the charred organic matter also contributes nitrogen back into the soil. Nitrogen can also contaminate water, causing an overgrowth of water based organisms such as algae. These organisms may eventually overpopulate the water supply and kill each other out.
2.1.2
Analyze the survival and reproductive success of organisms in terms of behavioral, structural, and reproductive adaptations.
*Natural Selection Virtual Lab Link*
2.1.3
Explain various ways organisms interact with each other (including predation, competition, parasitism, mutualism) and with their environments resulting in stability within ecosystems.
Predation:
Predation occurs when an organism is food for another organisms. Predators are the hunters. Prey is the organism being hunted and consumed.
pictured to the left is a Praying Mantis consuming a grasshopper
Predation occurs when an organism is food for another organisms. Predators are the hunters. Prey is the organism being hunted and consumed.
pictured to the left is a Praying Mantis consuming a grasshopper
Competition:
Competition occurs when organisms fight over the same resource located in a specific area. Interspecific competition occurs in members of different species. Intraspecific competition occurs in members of the same species.
pictured to the left is two kangaroos in a intraspecific dispute
Competition occurs when organisms fight over the same resource located in a specific area. Interspecific competition occurs in members of different species. Intraspecific competition occurs in members of the same species.
pictured to the left is two kangaroos in a intraspecific dispute
Symbiosis:
Symbiosis is where two species develop a relationship that is beneficial to at least one of them.
Mutualism occurs when both species benefit.
Commensalism occurs when one species benefits and the other is left unaffected.
Parasitism occurs when one species benefits and the other is harmed.
pictured left- a mutualistic relationship between a shrimp and a green goby fish
Symbiosis is where two species develop a relationship that is beneficial to at least one of them.
Mutualism occurs when both species benefit.
Commensalism occurs when one species benefits and the other is left unaffected.
Parasitism occurs when one species benefits and the other is harmed.
pictured left- a mutualistic relationship between a shrimp and a green goby fish
These relationships help the ecosystem in allowing it to function correctly. Each and every species must develop adaptations to their environment and protection from predators in order for them to thrive.
2.1.4
Explain why ecosystems can be relatively stable over hundreds or thousands of years, even though populations may fluctuate (emphasizing availability of food, availability of shelter, number of predators and disease).
Ecosystem Stability
Ecosystems are affected by many forms of alterations of the organisms inside them. Mostly, that means what the organism uses for survival such as food. The stability of the ecosystem helps in determining the species' survival. Organisms developed an interdependence for one another. If a species out balances the ecosystems carrying capacity; natural selection, lack of food or shelter, disease, and a possible increase in predators may occur to balance everything. But the key word here is balance. The idea is to drop the population only to a number suitable for the ecosystem's resources. As resources increase, negative factors may go away and you may see another increase in population.