Environmental Science

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Environmental Science

• Chapter 14 Jobs and Homes in the Biosphere

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14.1 Niche Occupation

• Daily survival by all organisms uses the
  available resources in an ecosystem.
• An organisms activities, as well as, its general
  relationships in the community, are called its
  ecological niche (or niche).
• Niches are closely related to the food resources
  available in an ecosystem.
• When feeding, each organism uses a different
  resource within an ecosystem thus each occupies
  a different niche.

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14.1 Niche Occupation

• Where and when to EAT in the wild
• Diurnal is feeding only in the daytime.
• Nocturnal is feeding only at night.
• Crepuscular is feeding only at dawn and dusk.
• Arboreal is living up in the trees.
• Aquatic means to live and feed in water.
• Terrestrial means to live and feed on the ground.
• Subterranean means to live and feed underground.

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14.1 Niche Occupation

• Division of food resources in the wild
• Several species of tanagers exist in the same
  ecosystem sharing the same food resources in a
  unique way.
• The speckled tanager eats insects on the
  underside of leaves
• The turquoise tanager eats insects it find on
  twigs and dead branches.
• The bay-headed tanager eats insects it finds on
  larger live branches.

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14.1 Niche Occupation

• Most animals must forage or look for their food.
• On a coral reef, many aquatic organisms forage
  for specific types of food.
• Sea slugs eat coral polyps.
• Anemones filter plankton out of the water.
• Parrot fish crunch chunks of coral to eat the
  coral polyps. Fine white beach sand are the
  remains of this process.

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14.2 Survival Adaptations

• An animals teeth indicate its food preferences,
  and food preferences identify its niche.
• Teeth fossilize well and provide direct evidence
  of past niches.
• The shape of teeth determines their function.
• Incisors are the chisel-shaped, sharp, flat teeth
  in the front of the mouth.

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14.2 Survival Adaptations

• Canines are the pointed teeth next to the
  incisors. Canines pierce and tear flesh.
• Premolars and molars crush, grind, or shred food.
  These teeth are located in the back of the mouth.
• Reptilian fangs are hollow teeth, which act like
  hypodermic needles, inject poison into prey
  animals.

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14.3 Habitat Address

• A habitat is a specific environment that contains
  an interacting community.
• Examples include a pine forest, a mountain
  meadow, or a coral reef.
• Physical features of a habitat include
• Yearly temperature range
• Precipitation
• Soil type
• Daily and annual sun light
• Topography of terrain

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14.3 Habitat Address

• Habitat cover includes places that offer
  protection from predators, shelter from the
  weather, sites for nests, dens, or homes.
• Factors that determine where plant species live
  are
• Amount of light
• Proper temperatures and moisture levels
• Availability of minerals and nutrients in the
  soil
• Presence of algae, fungi, and pollinators

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14.3 Habitat Address

• A biome is a major habitat type, examples include
  coniferous forest biome and temperate grassland
  biome, among others.
• Mini-habitats make up the larger habitat of the
  biome.
• A mini-habitat is an small ecosystem centered
  around a specific feature that provides a benefit
  for its organisms.
• Example fallen logs, cavities of dead trees,
  rock ledge.

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14.3 Habitat Address

• Each organism develops a survival strategy best
  suited for life in its habitat.
• In a cold environment, mammals typically have
  stout bodies, short legs, and short ears to
  conserve body heat.
• In a hot environment, mammals have thinner
  bodies, longer legs, and longer ears to promote
  evaporative cooling.

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14.3 Habitat Address

• Hibernation is a kind of suspended animation when
  an animals respiration, metabolism, and
  heartbeat are slowed.
• Hibernation allows some animals to escape periods
  of harsh weather.
• Water is required for life.
• During a long drought, some animals minimize
  water loss through a process called estivation, a
  state of suspended animation below ground.
• Mugger Croc

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14.3 Habitat Address

• Adaptability allows animals to have a wider
  range.
• Highly adaptable animals typically share the
  ability to exist on a varied diet.
• Habitat loss is the greatest threat to species
  who cant adapt quickly enough to survive.
• Brazil Rainforest Habitat Loss

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14.4 Home Range

• Home range is the area over which an individual
  animal or family group travels.
• Migration is the ability of some animals to
  travel between different areas to find food,
  water, or safe areas to raise their young.
• Some birds often migrate in search of food and
  nesting sites.
• A flyway is a well-defined migration route.
• Geese in Scotland

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14.4 Home Range

• The Arctic tern follows a 40,000 kilometer annual
  migration route between its summer Arctic
  breeding sites and winter Antarctic feeding
  grounds. Arctic Tern
• Caribou migrate as far as 9700 km by the hundreds
  of thousands.
• During the winter the caribou move through the
  northern coniferous forests.
• In the spring they migrate north to the tundra to
  feed on new grasses. Calving also occurs at this
  time. Caribou