Interdependence Within Environmental Systems

Category 5

Interdependence with Environmental Systems (B.11 and B.12)

Interpret ecological relationships and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems

I Will...

Know that interdependence and interactions occur within an environmental system

​We Will...

Win for the Day!

​B.12 (B) Compare variations and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems

Adaptations of Organisms

Biomes

1. Desert

Species: Antelope Squirrel

Active during cooler parts of the day, can lower body temp to survive the hot desert, and can become less active to survive the desert's lack of food

Biomes

2. Grasslands

Species: Barbary Squirrel

Grasslands are prone to predation, lives near water - less likely to be seen, bushy tail blends in - camouflage

Biomes

3. Temperate Forest

Species: Douglas Squirrel

Collect and store nuts - preparing for winter. They climb trees for food and to avoid/escape predators

Open Ended

Red foxes can be found in temperate rain forests, taigas, and grasslands. Their fur is usually a

combination of pale yellows, reds, grays, and browns. Arctic foxes found in the tundra have white

fur. Describe how this variation among the fox family is an adaptation for their particular environment:

Red foxes can be found in temperate rain forests, taigas, and grasslands. Their fur is usually a combination of pale yellows, reds, grays, and browns. Arctic foxes found in the tundra have white fur. Describe how this variation among the fox family is an adaptation for their particular environment:

Color helps them camouflage or blend into the environment. Gives them the ability to hide from predators and also hunt for prey.

Open Ended

How is the kangaroo rat specifically adapted to the desert?

​How is the Kangaroo rat specifically adapted to the desert?

The kangaroo rat is specifically adapted to the desert with its ability to have low water needs and legs that allow them to escape predators.

Interpret ecological relationships and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems (flow of matter and energy)

I Will...

Know that interdependence and interactions occur within an environmental system

​We Will...

Win for the Day!

​What are food webs?

A food web is an interconnected map of multiple food chains.

​Producer

​Primary

​Secondary

​Tertiary

​Quaternary

​Primary

​Secondary

​Tertiary

Reorder

Reorder the following organisms into the correct trophic level order.

• Sunflower seeds

• Mouse

• Frog

• Weasel

• Hawk

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Energy Pyramid

​The model at left depicts an energy pyramid

The 10 percent law: Approximately 10% of the energy available in one trophic level is passed on to the next.

Much of the energy available in the trophic levels is lost as heat

Notice that there are 100,000 kcal (energy) found within the producers in the ecosystem represented by the model below. For the remaining trophic levels, write how many kcal (energy) you can expect to find.

Labelling

Label each trophic level with their specific energy/kcal

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

10 kcal

10,000 kcal

100,000 kcal

1,000 kcal

100 kcal

Notice that there are 100,000 kcal (energy) found within the producers in the ecosystem represented by the model below. For the remaining trophic levels, write how many kcal (energy) you can expect to find.

​10,000 kcal

​1,000 kcal

​100 kcal

Interpret ecological relationships and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems

I Will...

Know that interdependence and interactions occur within an environmental system

​We Will...

Win for the Day!

​1. Nitrogen Fixation: atmospheric nitrogen is converted into ammonia by rhizobium

​2. Assimilation: nitrogen and ammonia from Nitrogen Fixation absorbed into specific tissues for algae and higher plants

​3. Ammonification: decomposing dead matter and waste to make ammonia and ammonium

​4. Nitrification: bacteria transforms soil ammonia into nitrates (absorbed/used by plants and bacteria)

​5. Denitrification: the process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas, thus removing bioavailable nitrogen and returning it to the atmosphere

Bacteria that live in the soil, water, or plant roots can fix (make usable) nitrogen from the atmosphere so that plants can use it

Denitrifying bacteria remove nitrogen from the soil and return it to the atmosphere.

• Carbon enters the atmosphere as CO2. (combustion/respiration)

• CO2 is absorbed by autotrophs such as green plants. (photosynthesis)

• Animals consume plants, thereby, incorporating carbon into their system.

• Animals and plants die, their bodies decompose and carbon is reabsorbed back into the atmosphere. (decomposition)

Carbon found in the atmosphere is mostly found in the molecule carbon dioxide

Name two ways carbon is released into the atmosphere: combustion (organic molecules burned in the presence of oxygen giving off carbon dioxide, water and energy) and respiration

Multiple Choice

Which natural process removes carbon from the atmosphere?

• photosynthesis

• cellular respiration

• microorganisms

Removes plants that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

2. Deforestation

Releases excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

1. Burning of Fossil Fuels

Disrupting the Carbon Cycle

Interpret ecological relationships and adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems

I Will...

Know that interdependence and interactions occur within an environmental system

​We Will...

Win for the Day!

​Ecosystem Stability

The stability of an ecosystem is determined by its capability to remain constant under the pressures of a changing environment or changing populations. The more species an ecosystem contains, the more stable or healthy the ecosystem.

Loss of Biodiversity Occurs From:

• Global Warming

• Pollution

• Deforestation

• Natural Disaster

Multiple Choice

Q1: Some adaptations of two species of salamanders are in the table shown. 

 

Which statement best compares the areas where the axolotl and tiger salamanders live based on their adaptations? 

• Axolotl salamanders live on land near fresh water.

  Tiger salamanders live in lakes.

• Axolotl salamanders live in trees.

  Tiger salamanders live in caves.

• Axolotl salamanders live in caves.

  Tiger salamanders live in trees. 

• Axolotl salamanders live in lakes. 

  Tiger salamanders live on land near fresh water. 

Multiple Choice

Q 44: Which model best represents the amount of energy available for use at each trophic level represented in the food chain?

Multiple Choice

Q25: When sawdust is added to soil, organisms in the soil will use all the available nitrogen to break the sawdust down.

What effect will the lack of nitrogen have on the plants that are near the sawdust? 

• A.

  The plants will not be able to grow. 

• B.

  The plants will grow faster than before. 

• C.

  The plants will be replaced with new plants. 

• D.

  The plants will evolve to no longer need nitrogen. 

Multiple Choice

Q8: Kelp forests are critical ecosystems that provide habitats to a variety of animals, including sea urchins, sea stars, sea anemones, crabs, jellyfish, snails, and fish.  They also provide hunting grounds for mammals, including sea otters, sea lions, seals, and many different birds.  In recent years, scientists have documented an increase in shark attacks on sea otters in and around kelp forests. 

 

Which consequence is most likely to occur in kelp forests as a result of increased predation of sea otters? 

• Kelp forests will become more stable due to the decrease in otter predation pressure.

• Kelp forests will become more stable as sharks replace otters as the top predator in the food chain.

• Kelp forests will become less stable due to the increase in the size of the otters' prey populations.

• Kelp forests will become less stable as sharks will also eliminate the prey of otters.