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2 A Local Ecosystem
Notes
ANH NGUYEN
Unit 1: The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and
animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic
factors
1.2.1 Compare the abiotic characteristics of aquatic and
terrestrial environments
The environment includes living and non-living things in our surroundings.
The environment can be divided into 2 Groups:
Light
Strength of wind
Rainfall
Temperature variations
Topography
Tides, currents and waves
Water (amount, salinity, pH)
Substrate
Space and shelter
Oxygen
Availability of food
Number of competitors
Number of mates available
Number of predators
Number and variety of disease causing organisms
stage which finds water being split into atoms of hydrogen and oxygen.
This stage requires light energy to occur. The second stage is the light
independent stage, or the carbon fixation stage. Here, hydrogen and
carbon dioxide combine using energy to form glucose and oxygen.
Photosynthesis is an important process in an ecosystem because it
provides energy for other species. The plants photosynthesise by
obtaining energy from the sun. Species such as herbivores and omnivores
obtain their energy by eating the plants. Carnivores and omnivores obtain
their energy by consuming meat = those species that consume plants. So,
there is a link between light energy and all species in an ecosystem.
Cellular respiration is the most efficient way for cells to harvest energy
stored in food, which is a catabolic pathway for the production of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP, a high energy molecule, is expended
by working cells.
Respiration involves a series of chemical reactions. It is a controlled
process, occurring as a sequence of about 50 different reactions, each one
catalysed by a different enzyme. Energy is released in small amounts. The
chemical energy held in the bonds of complex molecules, such as sugar, is
released when the bonds are broken. The energy is transferred to the
energy carrier molecule ATP.
ATP is produced at several points along the way. The process begins in the
cytoplasm, but most ATP comes from the steps that occur in a cellular
organelle called a mitochondrion.
1.2.4 Identify uses of energy by organisms
The energy released by respiration can be used by organisms by:
-
Glycolysis:
Occurs in cytoplasm
Splits the 6-carbon glucose into two 3-carbon molecules (pyruvate C3)
2 ATP molecules are gained
Does NOT require oxygen
Krebs Cycle:
Occurs in the mitochondria
Pyruvate is broken down into water and CO2
36 ATP molecules are gained
Oxygen is required
What happens:
1. The numbers of the prey species increase because of its breeding cycle,
or seasonal increase in available food.
2. This provides more food for predators, who survive in greater numbers
and reproduce more successfully.
3. As predator numbers increase, more prey gets eaten and so the prey
population decreases.
4. As prey numbers decline, less predators can survive, and breeding is
less successful predator numbers decline.
Each organisms abundance affects the others abundance.
2.2.3 Identify examples of allelopathy, parasitism, mutualism and
commensalism in an ecosystem and the role of organisms in each
type of relationship
Allelopathy:
-
This is the production by a plant of specific chemicals (allelochemicals) which inhibit the growth of other plants around it
The example studied was the Casuarina. Its leaves contain allelochemicals, so as they dropped to the floor, they released the
chemicals, preventing the growth of other plants in the area
Parasitism:
-
Mutualism:
-
Commensalism:
-
The bay has been almost destroyed, and the wetlands have been almost
totally removed from the bay
Sedimentation of the river has also been done
Dredging the bay for land reclamation has also been done by humans.
-
Loss of habitat
Pollution
Acid rain
Pesticides contamination (harms amphibians due to their permeable
skin)
Eutrophication
Introduction of alien species that out-compete native species
Wooglemai Report
On Wednesday 18th May 2016, Year 11 Biology students went on an excursion to
Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre to investigate and apply their
studies first hand in the bushland. Below is a report of their findings.
Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre is located on the edge of the Nattai
National Park (a part of the greater blue Mountains World heritage area)
approximately 7km south of the township of Oakdale and 480 metres above sea
level.
Grid references for the site are 34 08 09s S and 150 30 01s E.
(wooglemaieec.com)
1. Description of the area
Summarise the information collected in Task 1 and Task 3 (abiotic
features)
TASK 1- PLANT COMMUNITY
1) The table below is completed using random samples and replication
through the Quadrat Sampling Technique to determine the average value
of tree height and their foliage (leaf) cover. In order to fill out this table, it
is required to look for the biggest or tallest trees in the marked area.
Variable
Height of tallest
Stratum (mature
trees)
% of projected foliage
cover
Readin
g1
13m
Reading
2
11m
Readin
g3
10m
Reading
4
14m
Averag
e
12m
40%
50%
40%
30%
40%
Name the plant community within and around the Quadrat area by using the
averages for the two variables in the table. Based on the Structural Form of
Australian Vegetation (www.anbg.gov.au) below:
It is determined that the plant community within and around the Quadrat area is
mild-dense open forest.
2) Measure canopy cover (top of the trees) and ground cover (living plant
materials that are less than 1m tall, such as shrubs, herbs, grasses)
Method: Throw a rag randomly towards a canopy. If it covers the canopy, place a
tick, if it does not cover any canopy, place a cross in the table.
Variabl
e
%
Canop
y
Cover
%
Groun
d
Cover
50
%
10
Percenta
ge
70%
Indicative depth of Topsoil (use a ruler to dig to see the layers, only to
the bottom of A1)
5.5cm
Drainage (excellent, good, fair, poor. Using a saturation test of excess
rain in the area) i.e. if the water drains in less than 30 seconds, its
excellent
Poor
Ph (following the Barium sulphate method and using a universal
indicator. A soil test kit is given, place soil sample on kit, add 6 drops of
indicator and barium sulphate power)
Yellow (acidic)- PH 6
Soil temperature (using a digital soil thermometer, place a probe into
the soil and read the temperature)
19.1 C
Topography (shape of the land, its slope)
Hill-like
Slope (using field protractor app or inclinometer)
11
Aspect (take a compass bearing along one of the 20m sides of the
quadrat to check aspect)
Compass bearing/direction 280 degrees South downslope.
Summarise the information collected in Task 4 and 5 (biotic features)
TASK 4- MEASURING ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Method:
1. Perform the atmospheric tests (below) using the appropriate equipment
2. Compare your findings to the long term data for this location
Abiotic
factors
Light
Digital
light
meter/
Lux
Temperatur
e
Digital
thermomete
r/
Relative
Humidity
Hygrometer
/
RH%
Wind Speed
Anemomete
r/
m/s
Wind
Direction
Compass/
bearing
C
Readin
g1
Readin
g2
Readin
g3
Readin
17 000
17.5
41
0.01
94 000
20.4
38
0.1
NW
57 000
18.9
78
0.1
SW
27 000
20.3
32
0.1
g4
Mean
48 750
19.275
47.25
0.0775
Range
77 000
2.9
46
0.09
Record the time of year of these readings. Why is this relevant?
Readings were collected on 18/5/2016. This is relevant because of seasonal
variation from summer to winter. Abiotic conditions change during the changes in
seasons.
How do abiotic factors affect biotic factors?
-
Numbers
Comments/observations
known)
found
Ant holes
Worm
Abundant
1
Spider
Droppings of wallaby
1
3
Abiotic factor
Soil
Light
Temperature
Water
(availability of
water)
Topography
(altitude, slopes
and elevation)
4. Calculate the population density (in plants per square metre) by using the
formula below.
Population density= Abundance in sample areas/ Total size of sample areas
Population density of Banksia spinulosa = 37/1000m2 = 0.037 per square
metre
3. Transect study
Use the class data provided to create a graph that shows how the
distribution of the six species of plants changes along this transect
the distance up higher ground), the fewer the plants. This pattern remains the
same across most of the six plant species.
Water level: Usually land with higher water amount tends to have more
vegetation. As illustrated in the graph, the further the distance, the fewer the
plants. This is because as land height increases, the lower the water level as it is
concentrated in lower dips in the land. However, water dependency varies
between each species as different organisms require different amounts of water
to survive. Thus, this explains why Calicoma Serratifola has somewhat increased
in number at 250m and 300m.
Soil ph: pH 7 is the optimal pH for plant growth, but some species are capable
of surviving in lower or higher pH. One of the factors that affect soil ph is
precipitation, and the change in precipitation depends on altitude: while the top
of the mountain may receive abundant rainfall, mountains often remain dry on
the down-wind side. (Reference.com) And as precipitation increases, leaching of
Ca and Mg increases, allowing the pH to decrease. (eLibrary) This means that the
higher the altitude, the more chances that soil ph would decrease, causing it to
become more acidic. This may explain why there are less trees that grow at
higher altitudes, according to the graph.
Mineral nutrients: including salts, usually occur at low levels as nutrients are
released into the soil by decay of matter. This closely links with ph level, as it
affects the activity of bacteria that decomposes dead matter in the soil.
4. Adaptations
Choose one plant and one animal from this ecosystem and conduct
further research.
Describe the adaptation of each.
Use research to create a food chain for each species.
Animal/ Plant chosen
Eucalyptus trees
(Source of research:
bioweb.uwlax.edu)
Adaptations
As there is low humidity,
Eucalypt trees in
Wooglemai have small
and thin leaves to loose
little water and keep
itself from becoming
dried out. Also, thin
leaves are equivalent to
a smaller surface area,
thus capturing less
amount of sunlight on
the leaves, ensuring less
water evaporation.
As the Wooglemai
climate can become
quite dry, especially in
summer, and is prone to
bushfires, Eucalyptus
Food chain
Eucalyptus
Koala
Dingo
Wild Owl
tail Eagle
Wedge-
Swamp Wallabies
(Source: Pamela Melrose
2016)
possess a number of
adaptations which allow
them to survive these
blazes, including thick,
tough bark to protect the
vulnerable heartwood
layers beneath.
Concealed under this
natural armour, many
Eucalyptus species have
a reserve of leaf buds.
The extreme heat of the
fire activates chemical
reactions in these buds,
causing a new set of
leaves to grow after the
fire.
The leaves are also
covered with a waxy
surface to help keep
some beetles from
getting a foothold, and
the oils in the leaves are
toxic to many predators
(with a well-known
exception being the
koala).
Swamp Wallabies inhabit
thick undergrowth in
forests and woodlands,
or shelter during the day
in thick grass or ferns,
emerging at night to
feed. It lives throughout
Australia, including NSW.
They prefer to browse on
bushes rather than
graze on grasses, so
they have large and
sturdy teeth that help
them chew through
tough bushes. Their
fourth premolar helps
them to cut into the
shrubs.
They use their tail for
support and balance as
they jump.
Also, their grey brown
colour is an excellent
Swamp wallabies
Foxes
Dingoes
prezi.com. 2016. Abiotic and Biotic factors affecting distribution of plants and
animals by San Ha Kim on Prezi. [ONLINE] Available at:
https://prezi.com/kaarrx4_hyl3/abiotic-and-biotic-factors-affecting-distribution-ofplants-and-animals/. [Accessed 25 June 2016].
Reference. 2016. How does elevation affect precipitation? | Reference.com.
[ONLINE] Available at: https://www.reference.com/science/elevation-affectprecipitation-62f3b503d418b51f#. [Accessed 25 June 2016].
Wikipedia. 2016. Feathertail glider - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. [ONLINE]
Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feathertail_glider. [Accessed 27 June
2016].