Topic 4: Ecology
Essential idea: The continued survival of living organisms including humans depends on sustainable communities.
4.1.U1Species are groups of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
4.1.U2Members of a species may be reproductively isolated in separate populations.
4.1.U3Species have either an autotrophic or heterotrophic method of nutrition (a few species have both methods).
4.1.U4Consumers are heterotrophs that feed on living organisms by ingestion.
4.1.U5Detritivores are heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from detritus by internal digestion.
4.1.U6Saprotrophs are heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion.
4.1.U7A community is formed by populations of different species living together and interacting with each other.
4.1.U8A community forms an ecosystem by its interactions with the abiotic environment.
4.1.U9Autotrophs obtain inorganic nutrients from the abiotic environment.
4.1.U10The supply of inorganic nutrients is maintained by nutrient cycling.
4.1.U11Ecosystems have the potential to be sustainable over long periods of time.
4.1.S1Classifying species as autotrophs, consumers, detritivores or saprotrophs from a knowledge of their mode of nutrition.
4.1.S2Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability. (Practical 5) [Mesocosms can be set up in open tanks, but sealed glass vessels are preferable because entry and exit of matter can be prevented but light can enter and heat can leave. Aquatic systems are likely to be more successful than terrestrial ones.]
4.1.S3Testing for association between two species using the chi-squared test with data obtained by quadrat sampling. [To obtain data for the chi-squared test, an ecosystem should be chosen in which one or more factors affecting the distribution of the chosen species varies. Sampling should be based on random numbers. In each quadrat the presence or absence of the chosen species should be recorded.]
4.1.S4Recognizing and interpreting statistical significance.
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Lesson 1 (8/10/18): Ocean Acidification and Warming
Slides
Extra: Chasing Coral (feature length documentary)
Extra: Paleoclimatology
Extra: What happens when you zap coral with the world's most powerful X-ray laser?
Lesson 2 (8/12/18): Mesocosms and Chi Square analysis
Link: Mesocosms
Link: Mesocosms: Spivak Lab-Woods Hole
Video: Spivak Lab-Woods Hole
Slides
Video: Chi Square analysis
2.1: Species and populations
Slides 1 (Topic information)
Slides 2 (Organism interactions)
Link: Species diversification (sloths)
Lab Activity: Growth Curve Simulations
Lab Hand-outs
Essential idea: The continued survival of living organisms including humans depends on sustainable communities.
4.1.U1Species are groups of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
4.1.U2Members of a species may be reproductively isolated in separate populations.
4.1.U3Species have either an autotrophic or heterotrophic method of nutrition (a few species have both methods).
4.1.U4Consumers are heterotrophs that feed on living organisms by ingestion.
4.1.U5Detritivores are heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from detritus by internal digestion.
4.1.U6Saprotrophs are heterotrophs that obtain organic nutrients from dead organisms by external digestion.
4.1.U7A community is formed by populations of different species living together and interacting with each other.
4.1.U8A community forms an ecosystem by its interactions with the abiotic environment.
4.1.U9Autotrophs obtain inorganic nutrients from the abiotic environment.
4.1.U10The supply of inorganic nutrients is maintained by nutrient cycling.
4.1.U11Ecosystems have the potential to be sustainable over long periods of time.
4.1.S1Classifying species as autotrophs, consumers, detritivores or saprotrophs from a knowledge of their mode of nutrition.
4.1.S2Setting up sealed mesocosms to try to establish sustainability. (Practical 5) [Mesocosms can be set up in open tanks, but sealed glass vessels are preferable because entry and exit of matter can be prevented but light can enter and heat can leave. Aquatic systems are likely to be more successful than terrestrial ones.]
4.1.S3Testing for association between two species using the chi-squared test with data obtained by quadrat sampling. [To obtain data for the chi-squared test, an ecosystem should be chosen in which one or more factors affecting the distribution of the chosen species varies. Sampling should be based on random numbers. In each quadrat the presence or absence of the chosen species should be recorded.]
4.1.S4Recognizing and interpreting statistical significance.
__________________________________________________________________
Lesson 1 (8/10/18): Ocean Acidification and Warming
Slides
Extra: Chasing Coral (feature length documentary)
Extra: Paleoclimatology
Extra: What happens when you zap coral with the world's most powerful X-ray laser?
Lesson 2 (8/12/18): Mesocosms and Chi Square analysis
Link: Mesocosms
Link: Mesocosms: Spivak Lab-Woods Hole
Video: Spivak Lab-Woods Hole
Slides
Video: Chi Square analysis
2.1: Species and populations
Slides 1 (Topic information)
Slides 2 (Organism interactions)
Link: Species diversification (sloths)
Lab Activity: Growth Curve Simulations
Lab Hand-outs