The Basics of Ecology
Ecology- is the study of organisms and how species interact with others and their environment.
The earth is split up into different biomes. Biomes are a subset of the biosphere, which all of the Earth's ecosystems which can sustain life. Biomes are defined by their climates. The six biomes of Earth are : the Tundra, the Taiga, the Temperate Forest, the Desert, the Savanna, and the Tropical Rain Forest. The Tundra is cold and dry, the Taiga is cold and wet, the Temperate Forest can be hot and cold, the Desert is hot and dry, the Savanna can be moist and dry, and the Tropical Rain Forest is hot and moist.
The earth is split up into different biomes. Biomes are a subset of the biosphere, which all of the Earth's ecosystems which can sustain life. Biomes are defined by their climates. The six biomes of Earth are : the Tundra, the Taiga, the Temperate Forest, the Desert, the Savanna, and the Tropical Rain Forest. The Tundra is cold and dry, the Taiga is cold and wet, the Temperate Forest can be hot and cold, the Desert is hot and dry, the Savanna can be moist and dry, and the Tropical Rain Forest is hot and moist.
What Factors Determine the Conditions of a Biome?
The two factors that effects the climate of a biome are temperature and precipitation.
The biomes that are at the Earth's equator have the most direct sunlight and more light, meaning more precipitation. Water evaporates into the atmosphere and then directly rains down near the equator creating biomes like the Savanna and Tropical Rain Forest. Biomes in the 30 degree- 60 degree North or South of the equator are the deserts and Taiga. Dry air is pushed from the equator which creates the heated and dry climate of the desert. In the 60 degree range water is evaporates from the poles and is moved by wind currents and falls created the moist and cold climate of the Taiga. The Temperate forests which are also found at 60 degrees north or south have a combination of the dry air rising from the desert and the cool moist air of the poles and Taiga.
Interactions in an Ecosystem
There are three basic interactions that can occur between species in an ecosystem: predator/prey, symbiosis, and competition.
Predator/ Prey
This interaction is when one organism feeds on another. The predator is a consumer and the prey is the food.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is any interaction/relationship in which two species live closely together. There are three different symbiotic relationships.
Predator/ Prey
This interaction is when one organism feeds on another. The predator is a consumer and the prey is the food.
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is any interaction/relationship in which two species live closely together. There are three different symbiotic relationships.
- Mutualism- a relationship in which both species benefit. An example of a mutual relationship is that of the shark and Remora fish. The Remora attaches itself to the shark and feeds on parasites and bits of food they clean the shark. The shark stays clean and healthy and the Remora has a steady and reliable source of food.
- Commensalism- a relationship in which one organism benefits and one is not affected. An example of commensalism is the relationship between whales and barnacles. Barnacles grow on the whales which provides them with nutrients and protection but the whale is neither helped or harmed by the barnacles.
- Parasitism- a relationship where one organism benefits (parasite) and one is harmed (host). An example of parasitism is the relationship between a human and a tapeworm. The tapeworm lives inside the intestines of the human and feeds on the food the human eats. Humans can experience, weight loss, hunger, nausea, weakness, etc.
Where is the Great Blue Heron?
The Great Blue Heron is typically found in the temperate forest, some parts of the Taiga, but mostly in aquatic biomes. They live in lakes, rivers, marshes, saltwater coasts and swamps. Their habitats are either temperate, tropical or freshwater. Herons require an environment with trees near a water source in order to nest. They typically prefer habitats with more rainfall. They cannot survive in a desert climate due to lack of a food source.
Trophic Levels
Trophic Levels- levels in a ecosystem of organisms that have the same function in the food chain and the same nutritional relationship to the primary source of energy and show the transfer of energy
Great Blue Herons are tertiary consumers
- Producers- The first level. Ex) grass They contain the most energy and bio mass, meaning that they as the largest population in an ecosystem.
- Consumers- there are three different tropic levels for consumers
- Primary Consumers- herbivores ex) grasshoppers
- Secondary Consumers- carnivores ex) mouse
- Tertiary Consumers- top carnivore ex) snake
Great Blue Herons are tertiary consumers
Niches
Niche- an organisms role in it's environment
The Great Blue Heron is the top consumer in it's environment. They mostly feed on fish and insects, making other herons and larger birds their top competitors. They nest in trees by the water, and interact with their prey and other herons in the colony.
The Great Blue Heron is the top consumer in it's environment. They mostly feed on fish and insects, making other herons and larger birds their top competitors. They nest in trees by the water, and interact with their prey and other herons in the colony.