Community Ecology

Ecosystems
Ecosystem the interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of an environment. Biotic = living Abiotic = non-living

What are some abiotic components of this ecosystem?

Source: http://starklab.slu.edu/Bio2000/TreeLine.jpg

What are some patterns in the plant growth in this picture?

Source: http://starklab.slu.edu/Bio2000/TreeLine.jpg

Alpine Ecosystem

Source: http://cathybell.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/newarmypass.jpg

What are the abiotic components of this environment? How is plant growth affected by them?

Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XmDRRZMD0/UOpInXXutcI/AAAAAAA AGR4/2BbTY2nrF1o/s1600/Intertid al+zonation_01.jpg

What happens if ecosystem conditions are altered?

Source:http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/medialive/photos/000/001/cache/dead-spruce_133_600x450.jpg

Summary
Abiotic Factor Temperature Affect on Plant Warmer temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis and other metabolic reactions. Very hot conditions may lead to dessication, whereas very cold conditions slow photosynthesis and transpiration and may cause tissue damage by freezing Examples of Plant Adaptations Cellular antifreeze Small leaves for cold conditions Dormant state

Source: click4biology.info

Summary
Abiotic Factor Water Affect on Plant Raw material needed for photosynthesis, to maintain turgor pressue and to transport fluids in xylem and phloem Examples of Plant Adaptations Water storage ability Long roots Fewer/more stomata

Source: click4biology.info

Summary
Abiotic Factor Light Affect on Plant Increases in the amount of light increases the rate of photosynthesis. Examples of Plant Adaptations Plants that are shade tolerant can grow under the canopy of the forest. Plants that prefer light are usually the first to grow after a disturbance.

Source: click4biology.info

Summary
Abiotic Factor Soil pH Affect on Plant Affects the transport pathways in the root, affects the attachment of minerals to soil particles and affects the rate of weather of the minerals from rocks. Examples of Plant Adaptations Members of the heather family can grow on acidic soil. Other plants grow well on limestone which has a high pH

Source: click4biology.info

Summary
Abiotic Factor Salinity Affect on Plant Examples of Plant Adaptations Near the sea, high salt Salt tolerant plants are able levels can cause damage to to live close to, or in, the the leaves of plants as sea. water is extracted due to osmosis

Source: click4biology.info

Summary
Abiotic Factor Mineral Nutrients Affect on Plant Low levels of nutrients can inhibit plant growth Examples of Plant Adaptations Carnivorous plants such as sundews, pitcher plants, or Venus fly traps obtain extra nitrogen by eating insects.

Source: click4biology.info