2018 ECOLOGY (B&C)

KAREN LANCOUR C. Robyn Fischer

National Bio Rules National Event
Supervisor
Committee Chairman
karenlancour@charter.net
 Ecology Events
• Ecology – principles of ecology related to terrestrial
environments – 2 year rotation by biomes ( 1-
tundra & forests & 2-grasslands & deserts)
• Water Quality – principles of ecology related to
aquatic environments – 2 year rotation by aquatic
biomes (1-freshwater & 2- marine & estuary)
• Green Generation (Environmental Science) – man’s
impact on ecology and possible solutions – 2 year
rotation by problem issues (1-Aquatic, Air, Climate
& 2-Terrestrial, Population Growth)
 Event Rules – 2018

DISCLAIMER
This presentation was prepared using draft rules.
There may be some changes in the final copy of
the rules. The rules which will be in your Coaches
Manual and Student Manuals will be the official
rules.
 Event Rules – 2018

• BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2018 EVENT

RULES FOR EVENT PARAMETERS
AND TOPICS FOR EACH
COMPETITION LEVEL
 TRAINING MATERIALS
• Training Power Point – content overview
• Training Handouts – content information
• Sample Tournament – sample problems with key
• Event Supervisor Guide – prep tips, setup needs,
and scoring tips
• Internet Resources & Training Materials – on the
Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org
under Event Information
• A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Ecology CD as well
as the Division B and Division C Test Packets are
available from SO store at www.soinc.org
 EVENT COMPONENTS
• Ecology Content – 2018
– PART 1-Principles of Ecology (about 1/3)
– PART 2- Terrestrial Ecosystem – Grasslands and
Deserts of North America (about 1/3)
– PART 3- Human Impact on Ecosystems (about
1/3)
• Process skills in data, graph and diagram analysis
• Event parameters – check the event parameters in
the rules for resources allowed.
 PART I: General Principles of Ecology

ECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another

and with their environment
ENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components
• ABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors
as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures
• BIOTIC – living component are other organisms.
 ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

• INDIVIDUAL – individual organisms

• POPULATION – organisms of same species in
same area (biotic factors)
• COMMUNITY – several populations in same
area (biotic factors)
• ECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors
• BIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth
 ECOLOGY OF INDIVIDUALS

• Homeostasis – delicate balance

• Components
– Physiological Ecology
– Temperature and Water Balance
– Light and Biological Cycles
– Physiological Ecology and Conservation
 ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS

• Properties of populations
• Patterns of distribution and density
• Intra-specific competition
• Population dynamics
• Growth and regulation
• Altering population growth
• Human impact
Growth Curves
Human Population
 Survival Curves
• Survivorship is the percentage of remaining
survivors of a population over time; usually
shown graphically.
Type I survivorship curve: most
individuals live out their life span and die of
old age (e.g., humans).
Type II survivorship curve: individuals die
at a constant rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and
perennial plants).
Type III survivorship curve: most
individuals die early in life (e.g., fishes,
invertebrates, and plants).
 ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES

• Closed vs. Open communities

– Closed – sharp boundaries
– Open – Lack boundaries
• Species abundance and diversity
• Trophic Structure of Communities
– Food chains
– Food web
– Trophic pyramid
 INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES

• Interactions
• Interspecific
competition
• Predation
• Exploitation
• Symbiosis
 Types of Species Interactions

• Neutral – two species do not interact

• Mutualism – both benefit
• Commensalism – one benefits, other neutral
• Parasitism – one benefits, one harmed
but not usually killed
• Predation – one benefits, other usually killed
Predator - Prey Relationship
 Food Chain
• Producer
• 1st order Consumer or
Herbivore
• 2nd order Consumer or 1st
order Carnivore
• 3rd order Consumer or 2nd
order Carnivore
• 4th order Consumer or 3rd
order Carnivore
• Decomposers – consume dead
and decaying matter
Food Web
 ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS

• Energy Flow
– Energy Flow Pyramids
– Bio-mass Pyramids
• Community Succession and Stability
• Nutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles
 Energy vs Nutrient

• Nutrients – cyclic
(Biogeochemical
Cycles)
• Energy flow – one
way
 Ecologic Pyramids
Ecological pyramid - a graph representing trophic
level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary
producer level is at the base of the pyramid with
the consumer levels above.
Numbers pyramid - compares the number of
individuals in each trophic level.
Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry weight
of the organisms in each trophic level.
Energy pyramid - compares the total amount of
energy available in each trophic level. This energy
is usually measured in kilocalories.
Numbers Pyramid
Biomass & Energy Flow Pyramids
 Biogeochemical Cycles
• Hydrologic Cycle

• Phosphorus Cycle

• Nitrogen Cycle

• Carbon Cycle
Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Carbon Cycle
 Biosphere
• Types of Ecological Spheres
– Biosphere
– Lithosphere
– Hydrosphere
– Atmosphere
• Biogeochemical Cycles
• Disruption of Biosphere
• Species Extinction & Biosphere Destruction
 ECOSYSTEM STABILITY
• Ecosystem stability and the response
of ecosystems to disturbance are of
crucial importance
• Biological diversity acts to stabilize
ecosystem functioning in the face of
environmental fluctuation.
• Variation among species in their
response to such fluctuation is an
essential requirement for ecosystem
stability
• Climate change and other human-
driven (anthropogenic) environmental
changes will continue to cause
biodiversity loss in the coming
BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY
ADAPTATION
 TYPES OF ADAPTATIONS

Structural, Physiological and

Behavioral
Adaptations help species to survive
in their environment. Most
organisms have combinations of all
three types
 Extinction
There are natural
causes

Man’s activities have

accelerated
extinction
rates.
 Part 2: ECOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEMS

• 2017 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA

– Tundra
– Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)
– Deciduous Forests
• 2018 – Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA
– Grasslands
– Deserts
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Latitude vs. Altitude
 Ecosystems:
Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial Biomes
Adaptations of Plants & Animals

• Not intended to be a taxonomic event

• Emphasis on adaptations of common plants
and animals to each biome
• Common members of food chains and food
webs of each biome
• Limiting factors for each biome
ANNUAL RAINFALL OF BIOMES
 BIOMES OF THE US

The Ecology event will concentrate on the

US biomes –
deserts
grasslands
forests
taiga
tundra
Adaptations of Plants & Animals

• Not intended to be a taxonomic event

• Emphasis on adaptations of common plants
and animals to each biome
• Common members of food chains and food
webs of each biome
• Limiting factors for each biome
Grasslands of North America
 Grasslands – Abiotic factors

• Moderate temperature with notable extremes: -20° F to

110° F common, and even colder temperatures in the
north
• Precipitation is too low to support trees but too great for
deserts to form
• Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm)
• Scattered rain and lightening common in summer
months ("convection storms") with more general rains
and snows in winter months
• Fire a major factor in maintaining biome
• Droughts may be severe
 Grasslands – Plants

• Grasses are major producer with several genera and

species common but usually with one or two dominate
• Herbs and legumes (nitrogen fixing) among the grasses
• Many plants possess rhizomes (underground stems) and
are wind pollinated
• Soils generally fertile, deep and rich in nutrients (Bread
baskets of the world)
• Growing season of 120-200 days
• Generally flat to rolling topography
 North American
Grassland (Prairie) types
 Grasslands (Prairies) of North
America
Tall-grass Prairie: eastern unit – nearest to Eastern Deciduous Forests
– Tall grasses (3-4 ft or 1-1.5 m tall) with roots up to 6 feet deep
– 24-40 in (65-100 cm) precipitation annually
Mid-grass Prairie: between Tall Grass and Short Grass – gradual change
– Grasses to 4 ft (1.5 m) tall, mixture of sod and "bunch" grasses.
– 14-25 in (35-65 cm) precipitation annually
Short-grass Prairie: western element, largest. Nearest to deserts of west US
– Short grasses (less than 20 in or 50 cm tall)
– About 10 in precipitation annually.

Conservation Concerns:
Majority of tall- and mid-grass prairie are now farmland.
Short-grass prairie is grazed, some areas are now overgrazed
Grasslands (Prairie) in North
America
 Grassland (Prairie)
Plant Adaptations
• Native plants are perennials while crop grains are
annuals
• Grasses have three strata – roots, growth at
ground level, and taller foliage
• Half of growth may be below ground
• Grazed taller foliage will grow back
• Taller foliage above ground adapted to withstand
strong winds, fires, extreme temperature changes
 Grasslands – Animal

• Dominated by grazing animals (deer, antelope,

buffalo - once common but now rarely native to
the range)
• Herds (safety in numbers)
• Burrowing small animals (colonies such as
prairie dogs)
• Rodents and Jack Rabbits
• Flight song birds – strong fliers
• Insects esp. grasshoppers
 Grassland (Prairie)
Animal adaptations
• Long distance vision for predator & prey
• Eyes of grazing animals well above snout
• Many are built for speed – live in herds or colonies
• Small creatures can stand on haunches
• Some hop up and down or hop long distances
• Camouflage coloration
• Underground burrows
• Birds – strong fliers (strong winds), flight song birds to
attract mates in air, nest in tall grass
GRASSLAND FOOD WEB
 Grassland (Prairie)
Environmental Concerns
• Most disturbed biome – farming & domestic
grazing with fences
• Annuals replace perennials with annual soil
disturbance by the plow
• Overgrazing problems – “dust bowl”
• Biodiversity disturbed – extinct & endangered
species
• Fire allowed vs fire control
• Native grasslands being reintroduced
 Deserts

• Regions of low, sparse

vegetation with minimal
precipitation and humidity
• Food web
• Special adaptations
• Plant and animals
• Temperature variations
• Special environmental issues
• Effect of human populations
 Deserts – Abiotic Features

• Regions of low, sparse vegetation with minimal

precipitation and humidity; high temperatures
during some of the year and great daily
temperature fluctuations
• Cover 1/5 of earth’s land surface
• Scarcity of water – less than 25 cm (10 inches)
of precipitation per year
• Water loss – tendency for water loss may
exceed annual rainfall
 Deserts – Abiotic factors

• Relatively poor soil quality – high mineral content

but little organic matter
• Intense solar radiation – strong tendency to lose
water by evaporation
• Temperature variation – daytime over 120
degrees and drops as sun sets
• Winters – may be cold
 Deserts – Plants

• Succulent plants – “juicy plants” as cacti store

water, spines are remnants of leaves
• Annuals – dormant during dry season,
germinate and grow rapidly to seed after rains
• Desert shrubs – have small thick leaves with
sunken stomates
 Desert – Plant Adaptations

• Succulents store water in stems – no stomates to lose

water – green stems functions of leaves – spines thought
to be remnant leaves
• Annuals have short life cycle of flower to seed after rain
– seeds during dry times
• Shrubs have small thick leaves with sunken stomates
with widely branching roots which rapidly collect
moisture or deep tap roots to underground moisture as
mesquite.
• Some depend upon animals digestion for dispersal of
seeds
 Deserts – Animals

• Insects and scorpions

• Lizards and Snakes
• Birds – from hummingbirds to roadrunners
• Bats
• Small mammals as rodents
• Larger mammals as coyotes
 Deserts – Animal Adaptations

• Burrow for protection from heat

• Conserve water loss from evaporation,
exhalation, elimination of body waste
• Nocturnal activity when cooler or hide/burrow
during day to protect from heat
• Many cold blooded insects and reptiles
• Exoskeletons or scales
 Deserts - Animal Adaptations

• Lizards & scorpions – no glands in skin so do

not sweat
• Mammals – panting & large ears – nocturnal
hunters - many lack sweat glands
• Concentrate waste as urea or crystallized uric
acid
• Become sluggish during intense heat
DESERT FOOD WEB
 Types of Deserts

• Hot - Arid regions with little or no annual

precipitation, usually rain, no snow or frost
• Warm - Arid regions where precipitation falls
seasonally principally as rain, some snow and
frost each year
• Cold - Arid regions where precipitation falls
sparingly principally as snow and permafrost is
not a factor
 Deserts of North America

• Warm Desert – Mojave

Desert
• Warm Desert – Sonoran
Desert
• Warm Desert – Chihuahuan
Desert
• Cold Desert –
Intermountain West or
Great Basin
Environmental Concerns – Deserts

• Many endangered, rare and unusual plants

and animals live in the desert.
• Slow to recover from habitat damage
• Desert expansion – growth of deserts in parts
of the world
• Flooding problems during rains
• Competition of man for limited water supply
 BIODIVERSITY
• It is the number of different organisms &
their relative frequency in an ecosystem
• Levels of Biodiversity:
o Genetic diversity – varies in the genetic make-up among individuals
within a single species
o Species diversity – variety among the species or distinct types of
living organisms found in different habitats of the planet
o Ecological diversity – variety of forests, deserts, grasslands, streams,
lakes, oceans, wetlands, and other biological communities.
 SPECIES DIVERSITY LEVELS
• ALPHA-
WITHIN
HABITAT
• BETA –
BETWEEN
COMMINITIES
• GAMMA – IN A
REGION
 PART 3 – HUMAN IMPACT ON
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
• Environmental concerns for tundra,
taiga, and deciduous forests
• Role of these ecosystems in Earth’s
climate
• Major Environmental Issues
• Conservation Biology – goals,
environmental threats, actions
 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
AFFECTING TERRESTRIAL BIOME
• Pollution of Air, Water and Land
• Hazardous Chemicals and
Wastes
• Land Degradation
• Loss of Biodiversity
• Ozone Depletion
• Climate Change
• Environmental Factors
• Loss of natural and cultural
resources
• Habitat loss
• Overexploitation
• Exotic species and introductions
• Overpopulation
 Pollution
• Harmful materials entering the environment
• Point source pollution – from a clearly
identifiable source
• Nonpoint pollution comes from many
different sources.
• Four main categories – industrial, residential,
commercial, and environmental
Acid Rain
Greenhouse Effect
Ozone Depletion
 Ozone Hole over Antartica

Source: NASA
Biodiversity Threats
 Habitat
Fragmentation
& Destruction

Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a

process
that describes the emergences of
discontinuities
(fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of
the
environment inhabited by an organism.

It results in
1. Loss of resident species
2. Loss of food sources
 INVASIVE SPECIES
PROBLEMS

• World-wide problem
• Increase in travel and trade open routes
• In U.S. costs $137 billion dollars per year
• Approximately 42% of Threatened or Endangered
species are at risk due to non-native, invasive species.
• Raise havoc in ecosystems and threaten species
diversity
 CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
• Ecology is the study of the distribution and abundance of
organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the
interactions between organisms and the physical
environment.
• Conservation Biology is the scientific study of nature and of
Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their
habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction
and the erosion of biotic interactions.
• Conservation biologists investigate the impact of humans on
Earth's biodiversity and develop practical approaches to
prevent the extinction of species and promote the
sustainable use of biological resources
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Strategies for a Sustainable World
• advancing technologies
to reduce waste
• increasing recycling and
reuse
• creating even safer
treatment and disposal
options
• developing sources of
renewable energy
• sharing the benefits of
our learning and
innovation
MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY
CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES
 INVASIVE SPECIES
Control Methods
• Prevention
• Eradicating potential invaders soon after invasion
• Physical (manual & mechanical)
• Cultural – Ecosystem Management
• Biological – natural enemies
• Chemical - pesticides
• Integrated Pest Management – Uses a combination
of methods – OFTEN MOST EFFECTIVE
RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED
AREAS
REINTRODUCTION OF SPECIES
ADVANTAGES
AND
DISADVANTAGE
S
 Nonrenewable vs. Renewable
Energy Sources
• Non-renewable energy sources – fossil fuels
as coal, oil and natural gas as well as nuclear
fuels – limited supply will run out and have
negative environmental impacts
• Renewable energy sources – sun, wind,
waves, heat, hydropower and biomass that
can be used again and again and is cleanest
energy sources.
• There are pros and cons for each type of
energy