LAB 4

 The topic of study for this lab is ecology. An ecologist studies the interactions of organisms with one another and with their physical environment. In other words, he studies the relationships among the living and non-living components of an ecosystem. A coniferous forest ecosystem may consist of trees such as pines, spruces, firs, and hemlocks which interact in complex ways with one another and with the other plants, animals and microbes in the forest; in addition, each organism interacts with the non-living components of its environment such as the soil, air and water. Tree components of a deciduous forest ecosystem may include such species as white oak, sugar maple, tulip poplar and bitternut hickory. They too interact with one another; one obvious interaction is competition. Trees compete for light, moisture, and soil nutrients; and competition is especially keen among trees of the same species. In addition to forest ecosystems, there are various nonforest ecosystems such as grassland, pond, stream, ocean, tundra, and desert ecosystems. If one is referring to an ecosystem that covers a very large geographic area, the term biome may be used (e.g. the deciduous forest biome).

 It is especially important for all of us to understand some basic human ecology. We need to know the effects of oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, solid wastes, pesticides, etc. on our ecosystems. We should be aware of the rapidly increasing human population and the problems that result from overpopulation. In many places around the world, human populations have exceeded the carrying capacity of their ecosystems, and the results are reduction in the quality of human life, starvation, greater susceptibility to disease, and greater tendencies toward war. We are eradicating animal and plant species at an alarming rate. What is the fate of the tropical forests which are rapidly being cleared for agriculture and other human purposes? What is the fate of wilderness-loving animals like the California condor and the gorilla? Is it not prudent to preserve as many life forms as possible? Recall that even seemingly useless microbes such as Penicillium have proved to be greatly beneficial to us. By studying ecology we learn that humans aren't independent of other organisms. Indeed we do interact with and depend on other organisms.

1.      Learn a vocabulary of basic ecological terms.

2.      Learn some basic ecological concepts. 

1.      View the videotape on ecology.

2.      Participate in the lecture/discussion about current ecological concerns led by your instructor or classmates.

3.      Select a terrestrial or aquatic biome (taiga, savannah, coral reef, etc.) and prepare a two-page typed paper about this biome.  Include information about geographic location of the biome, temperature range, annual rainfall, major flora and fauna groups of the biome, particular ecological concerns, etc.   BRING A COPY FOR EACH MEMBER OF YOUR LAB SECTION (Check the number enrolled on PRIDE.)  THESE MUST BE IN-HAND WHEN YOU ENTER THE LAB.

l REALITY CHECK

1.  Coal and oil are non-renewable energy resources. name several renewable energy resources. 

2.  List 5 non-forest ecosystems.

3.  Select a particular biome. Discuss particular concerns resulting from human activity affecting this biome.

4.  Why is competition among members of the same species greater than competition among different species?

5.  Explain the implications of the biomass pyramid.

6.  Learn the distribution of the major terrestrial biomes:  tropical, savanna, desert, extreme desert, charapal, temperate grassland, temperate deciduous, taiga, and tundra.

7.   Learn the distribution of the major aquatic biomes:  rivers, lakes, estuaries, intertidal zones, coral reefs, ocean pelagic, abyssal zones.

8.  Define the following terms.  Become fluent in using them in our ecology discussions.

·         adaptation

·         biome                                                  l     climax

·         community                                          l     commensalism

·         community                                          l     competition

·         ecology                                              l     ecosystem

·         food web                                            l     food chain

·         mutualism                                          l     niche

·         parasitism                                          l     population

·         predator                                             l     producer

·         primary succession                            l     secondary succession

·         symbiosis