2017 ECOLOGY

(B&C)
KAREN LANCOUR
National Bio Rules
Committee Chairman
karenlancour@charter.net

Ecology Events
Ecology principles of ecology related
to terrestrial environments 2 year
rotation by biomes ( 1- tundra &
forests & 2-deserts & grasslands)
Water Quality principles of ecology
related to aquatic environments 2
year rotation by aquatic biomes (1freshwater & 2- marine & estuary)
Green Generation (Environmental
Science) mans impact on ecology
and possible solutions 2 year
rotation by problem issues (1Aquatic, Air, Climate & 2-Terrestrial,

Event Rules 2017

DISCLAIMER
This presentation was prepared
using draft rules. There may be
some changes in the final copy of the
rules. The rules which will be in your
Coaches Manual and Student
Manuals will be the official rules.

Event Rules 2017

BE SURE TO CHECK THE
2017 EVENT RULES FOR
EVENT PARAMETERS AND
TOPICS FOR EACH
COMPETITION LEVEL

TRAINING MATERIALS
Training Power Point content overview
Training Handouts content information
Sample Tournament sample problems with
key
Event Supervisor Guide prep tips, setup
needs, and scoring tips
Internet Resources & Training Materials on
the Science Olympiad website at
www.soinc.org under Event Information
A Biology-Earth Science CD, an Ecology CD
as well as the Division B and Division C Test
Packets are available from SO store at
www.soinc.org

EVENT COMPONENTS
Ecology Content 2017
PART 1-Principles of Ecology (about 1/3)
PART 2- Terrestrial Ecosystem - Tundra,
Taiga and Forests of North America (about
1/3)
PART 3- Human Impact on Ecosystems
(about 1/3)
Process skills in data, graph and diagram
analysis
Event parameters check the event
parameters in the rules for resources
allowed.

PART I: General Principles of

Ecology
ECOLOGY how organisms interact with
one another and with their environment
ENVIRONMENT living and non-living
components
ABIOTIC non-living component or
physical factors as soil, rainfall,
sunlight, temperatures
BIOTIC living component are other
organisms.

ECOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
INDIVIDUAL individual organisms
POPULATION organisms of same
species in same area (biotic factors)
COMMUNITY several populations in
same area (biotic factors)
ECOSYSTEM community plus abiotic
factors
BIOSPHERE all ecosystems on earth

ECOLOGY OF
INDIVIDUALS
Homeostasis delicate balance
Components
Physiological Ecology
Temperature and Water Balance
Light and Biological Cycles
Physiological Ecology and
Conservation

ECOLOGY OF
POPULATIONS

Properties of populations
Patterns of distribution and density
Intra-specific competition
Population dynamics
Growth and regulation
Altering population growth
Human impact

Growth Curves

Human Population

Survival Curves
Survivorship is the percentage
of remaining survivors of a
population over time; usually
shown graphically.
Type I survivorship curve:
most individuals live out their
life span and die of old age
(e.g., humans).
Type II survivorship curve:
individuals die at a constant
rate (e.g., birds, rodents, and
perennial plants).
Type III survivorship curve:
most individuals die early in
life
(e.g., fishes,
invertebrates, and plants).

ECOLOGY OF
COMMUNITIES
Closed vs. Open communities
Closed sharp boundaries
Open Lack boundaries

Species abundance and diversity

Trophic Structure of Communities
Food chains
Food web
Trophic pyramid

INTERACTIONS AMONG
SPECIES
Interactions
Interspecific
competition
Predation
Exploitation
Symbiosis

Types of Species
Interactions
Neutral two species do not interact
Mutualism both benefit
Commensalism one benefits, other
neutral
Parasitism one benefits, one harmed
but not killed
Predation one benefits, other killed

Predator - Prey
Relationship

Food Chain
Producer
1st order Consumer or
Herbivore
2nd order Consumer or
1st order Carnivore
3rd order Consumer or
2nd order Carnivore
4th order Consumer or
3rd order Carnivore
Decomposers
consume dead and
decaying matter

Food Web

ECOLOGY OF
ECOSYSTEMS
Energy Flow
Energy Flow Pyramids
Bio-mass Pyramids

Community Succession and

Stability
Nutrient Recycling nutrient
cycles

Energy vs Nutrient
Nutrients
cyclic
(Biogeochemic
al Cycles)
Energy flow
one way

Ecologic Pyramids
Ecological pyramid - a graph representing
trophic level numbers within an ecosystem.
The primary producer level is at the base of
the pyramid with the consumer levels
above.
Numbers pyramid - compares the number of
individuals in each trophic level.
Biomass pyramid - compares the total dry
weight of the organisms in each trophic
level.
Energy pyramid - compares the total
amount of energy available in each trophic
level. This energy is usually measured in
kilocalories.

Numbers Pyramid

Biomass & Energy Flow

Pyramids

Biogeochemical Cycles
Hydrologic Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Carbon Cycle

Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Carbon Cycle

Biosphere
Types of Ecological Spheres

Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Atmosphere

Biogeochemical Cycles
Disruption of Biosphere
Specie Extinction & Biosphere
Destruction

ECOSYSTEM STABILITY
Ecosystem stability and the
response of ecosystems to
disturbance are of crucial
importance
Biological diversity acts to
stabilize ecosystem
functioning in the face of
environmental fluctuation.
Variation among species in
their response to such
fluctuation is an essential
requirement for ecosystem
stability
Climate change and other

BIOLOGICA
L
DIVERSITY

ADAPTATION

TYPES OF ADAPTATIONS
Structural, Physiological and
Behavioral
help species to survive in their
environment. Most organisms
have combinations of all three
types

Extinction
There are natural
causes
Mans activities have
accelerated
extinction
rates.

Part 2: ECOLOGY OF
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
2017 Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA
Tundra
Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous
Forest)
Deciduous Forests

2018 Terrestrial Ecosystems of NA

Grasslands
Deserts

Terrestrial Ecosystems
Latitude vs. Altitude

Ecosystems:
Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial
Biomes

Adaptations of Plants &

Animals
Not intended to be a taxonomic
event
Emphasis on adaptations of
common plants and animals to
each biome
Common members of food chains
and food webs of each biome
Limiting factors for each biome

TUNDRA OF NORTH AMERICA

About one fifth of
the land surface of
the earth is tundra.
Located next to icy
zones in the arctic
encircling North
Pole down to Taiga.
(Arctic Tundra)
Located at the top
of mountains
above the tree line
( Alpine Tundra)

TUNDRA OF NORTH
AMERICA

Simple vegetation structure

Limitation of drainage
Energy and nutrients in the form of dead
organic
material
Large population oscillations

TUNDRA Abiotic Factors

Angle of incidence for incoming solar radiation is low and
twilight lasts many hours
Temperature - extremely cold - from -30oC to -40oC in winter;
average winter temperature of - 34 degrees C ( -30 degrees F).
Highest summer temperature is only about 10o C
Annual precipitation (mostly as snow) is 6 to 10 inches (15 to
25 cm) which is desert-like
Winds - often reach speeds of 30 to 60 miles (48 to 97 km/hr)
Sunlight - During the winter there are only a few hours or less
of sunlight in the summer, there is sunlight almost 24 hours a
day.
Ground surface - spongy, uneven as a result of freezing and
thawing
Permafrost - Plains of tundra are covered with snow, ice and
frozen soil most of the year
Growing Season - Short season of growth and reproduction from 50 to 60 days

Tundra Energy Pyramid

TUNDRA of North
America

Plants of the
Tundra
About 1,700 kinds of
plants
Tiny flowering plants (4
inches or less in height)
grasses
lichens crustose
and foliose
sedges
willows

TUNDRA Plant
Adaptations

Many of the plants are perennials so they

can store food from season to season
Must adapt to strong winds and
disturbances in soil
Plants are short and group together
Form little cushions or mats close to the
ground where ground is warmer than the
air
Carry out photosynthesis at low
temperatures and low light intensities
Adapt to short growing seasons by
reproducing by asexually rather than
sexually

Tundra Food Web

Animals of the
TUNDRA
Primary consumers (Herbivores) lemmings,
insects, musk oxen, reindeer
Secondary consumers
( Carnivores) snow
owls, arctic foxes, polar bears
Migratory birds: ravens, snow buntings,
falcons, loons, sandpipers, terns, snow birds,
and various species of gulls
Insects: mosquitoes, flies, moths,
grasshoppers, blackflies and arctic bumble
bees
Fish: cod, flatfish, salmon, and trout
Reptiles and amphibians are few or absent

TUNDRA: Animal
Adaptations
Must adapt to extremely
cold winters
Breed and raise their
young very quickly
during the short
summers
Many as birds migrate
south in the winter
Many of those that stay hibernate during the
winter
Constant immigration
and emigration

Environmental Importance
of the TUNDRA
Filters millions of liters of water
Stores large amounts of carbon
Permafrost layer doesnt normally
thaw out, so the organic matter
stored in them is effectively trapped
forever
Global warming lowers the thaw
depth, and the peat and organic
matter begins decaying inputting of
CO2 to the atmosphere

TUNDRA: Role in Earths

Climate
global warming is happening at twice the rate
of more temperate regions of the earth
affects the release or retention of greenhouse
gases such as carbon dioxide and methane
methane is 20 times more efficient at trapping
warmth than carbon dioxide
soil nutrients, plant type, and plant biomass
will be affected by changes in soil moisture
and can modify the amount and types of
greenhouse gases
the climate balance could tip not just in the
Arctic, but throughout the world

TAIGA OF NORTH
AMERICA
2nd largest forest
in the world
Ring Artic between
Artic and
Deciduous Forest
50 to 60 degrees
North Latitude
Upper elevations of
Mountains

Taiga or Boreal
(Evergreen) forests of
North America

Taiga Abiotic Factors

Angle of incidence for incoming solar
radiation is low and twilight lasts many
hours
Seasons- short, moist and moderately warm
summers & long, cold, dry winters.
Temperature: -65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Variable precipitation: 6-40 in (15-100 cm).
Soils thin because they were scraped by
glaciers and very acid because of
decomposition of pine needles
Absence of earth-churning invertebrates as
earthworms so soil is hard and compact
Fire a major factor in maintaining biome

Environmental Importance
of the Taiga
Filters millions of liters of water
Stores large amounts of carbon
Produces oxygen
Rebuilds soils and restores nutrients
Bogs and marshes provides habitats
for large numbers of species from fish
to birds

Taiga - Food web

Taiga: Types of Plants

Conifers are major producer
Most common types spruce, balsam fir
and pine
Others hemlock, cedar, redwood,
junipers
Latitude and altitude influences species
Berry-producing shrubs important to
birds, mammals and people
Some types of fungi, lichens, and mosses

Taiga:
Plant
Adaptatio
ns
Trees have upside down cone shape so snow slides
off the branches
Branches are flexible to hold great amounts of
snow and not break
Trees grow thin and close together to protect them
from cold and wind
Needles are waxy for protection from freezing
temperatures and prevent them from drying out
Needles are present year round and deep green to
absorb the maximum warmth from the sun
Thick bark which does not easily burn and protects
inner layers from heat and cones protect the seeds

Taiga: Types of Animals

Insects millions of insects in the summer
birds up to 3 billion insect-eating birds breed
each year in Taiga over 200 species
Seed-eaters like finches and sparrows as well as
omnivorous birds as crows stay all year
Crossbill has specialized bill for prying open cones
and nuthatch can break the cones open
Herbivores as small mammals, snowshoe rabbits,
red squirrels, voles and lemming
Predators feeding on small mammals as owls,
wolves, lynx, bobcats, minks, wolverines, weasels,
mink, otters, martens, fishers
Deer, elk and moose
Largest predators as grizzlies, lynx, and mountain
lions will also feed on weakened or young deer, elk
or moose

Taiga: Animal Adaptations

for long cold winters and hot
summers

migrate south in winter

(birds)
go into hibernation during
winter
store extra fat layers on
their bodies for winter
change diets from season
to season
grow extra fur on the
bottom of their feet to
tread on snow easier (lynx
and snowshoe rabbit)
change fur color and coat
thickness from season to
season
live under snow in winter in
snow tunnels (lemmings,
mice, shrews, voles)

Taiga: Role in Earths

Climate
It stores large quantities of carbon stored as plant

material on forest floor (up to 10 feet in some areas)

1 cm of plant material can hold 2.5 tons of carbon per
acre
Taiga acts like a large refrigerator preventing fallen
trees, needles and other debris from decomposing
Heating up the taiga is causing the following
problems:
Litter decomposes putting carbon into the
atmosphere
Increases in forest fires
Infestation by bark beetles which is killing the trees
Dead trees - tinder to fuel the forest fires and adding
more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Forests

Trees
Canopy
Food web
Special adaptations
Plant and animals
Special environmental
issues
Effect of human
populations

TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS
FOREST

The average
temperature of the
forest is about 50
degrees Fahrenheit.
The average rainfall
here in the forest is
30 to 60 inches a
year
The deciduous trees
lose their leaves in
fall with spectacular
fall colors and they

CLIMATE
CHARACTERISTICS

Temperature varies from -30 C to

30 C.
Precipitation (75-150 cm) is
distributed evenly throughout the
year.
Soil is fertile, enriched with
decaying litter.
Canopy is moderately dense and
allows light to penetrate, resulting
in well-developed and richly

the
Temperate
Deciduous
Forest
Tree stratum - the tallest layer, 60 -100

feet high, with large oak, maple, beech,

chestnut, hickory, elm, basswood,
linden, walnut, or sweet gum trees
Small tree or sapling layer - short tree
species and young trees
Shrub layer - shrubs like
rhododendrons, azaleas, mountain
laurels, and huckleberries
Herb layer - short plants

PLANT
ADAPTATIONS
Flora is characterized by 3-4 tree
species per square kilometer
Trees are distinguished by broad
leaves that are lost annually and
include such species as oak, hickory,
beech, hemlock, maple, basswood,
cottonwood, elm, willow, and springflowering herbs
In fall with limited sunlight and water,
the leaves change color and fall

ANIMAL
ADAPTATIO
NS
Typical squirrels, rabbits, skunks, birds,
deer, mountain lion, bobcat, timber
wolf, fox, and black bear
Some animals as birds migrate in the
winter
Some mammals hibernate in winter
Others as squirrels, chipmunks, & jays

BIODIVERSITY
It is the number of different
organisms & their relative
frequency in an ecosystem
Levels of Biodiversity:
o Genetic diversity varies in the genetic make-up
among individuals within a single species
o Species diversity variety among the species or
distinct types of living organisms found in
different habitats of the planet
o Ecological diversity variety of forests, deserts,
grasslands, streams, lakes, oceans, wetlands, and
other biological communities.

SPECIES DIVERSITY
LEVELS
ALPHAWITHIN
HABITAT
BETA
BETWEEN
COMMINITI
ES
GAMMA
IN A
REGION

PART 3 HUMAN IMPACT

ON TERRESTRIAL
ECOSYSTEMS

Environmental concerns
for tundra, taiga, and
deciduous forests
Role of these ecosystems
in Earths climate
Major Environmental
Issues
Conservation Biology

TUNDRA: Environmental
Concerns
Large scale extraction industries ( oil, gas, and

minerals as uranium)
Pollution chemical waste, mining, hydroelectric
development
Expansion of agriculture/livestock, vehicular traffic,
and tourism increase degradation
Global warming 1/3 of soil bound carbon is found in
this area.
Melting of permafrost releases large amounts of
carbon into the atmosphere increasing
Greenhouse Affect as organic matter decays and
released carbon dioxide.
Erosion is emerging due to permafrost thaw and
overgrazing
Poaching hunting and fishing out of season, on
protected land, or to endangered species

Taiga: Environmental
Concerns

Pollution Clear cutting

Illegal logging
Poaching
Forest fires unnatural fires
Mining
Drilling for oil and natural gas
disrupt the forest
Global warming

ENVIRONMENTAL
CONCERNS FOR THE
DECIDUOUS
FOREST
Many of the world's great tracts of
temperate deciduous forest have
experienced significant alteration
through logging, conversion to
agricultural land and urban
development.
Human industry within and adjacent
to temperate deciduous forests may
pollute air and water resources
Species introduced to temperate
deciduous forests by humans may
become invasive and threaten native

Deforestati
on
Deforestation the permanent destruction of
indigenous forests and woodlands.
Causes include
Conversion of forests to agricultural land to
feed
people
Development of cash crops and cattle raising
esp. in
tropical countries
Commercial logging that is not regulated
Poor soils in humid tropics do not support

Results of Deforestation

Mining - Environmental
Risks

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES AFFECTING
TERRESTRIAL
BIOME
Pollution
of Air, Water
and Land
Hazardous Chemicals
and Wastes
Land Degradation
Loss of Biodiversity
Ozone Depletion
Climate Change
Environmental Factors
Loss of natural and
cultural resources
Habitat loss
Overexploitation
Exotic species and
introductions

Pollution
Harmful materials entering the
environment
Point source pollution from a
clearly identifiable source
Nonpoint pollution comes from
many different sources.
Four main categories industrial,
residential, commercial, and
environmental

Acid Rain

Greenhouse Effect

Ozone Depletion

Ozone Hole over

Antartica

Source: NASA

Biodiversity Threats

Habitat
Fragmentation
& Destruction
Habitatdestruction and fragmentation is a
process
that describes the emergences of
discontinuities
(fragmentation) or the loss (destruction) of
the
environment inhabited by an organism.
It results in
1. Loss of resident species
2. Loss of food sources

INVASIVE SPECIES
PROBLEMS
World-wide problem
Increase in travel and trade open
routes
In U.S. costs $137 billion dollars per
year
Approximately 42% of Threatened or
Endangered species are at risk due to
non-native, invasive species.
Raise havoc in ecosystems and

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
Ecology is the study of the distribution and
abundance of organisms, the interactions
among organisms, and the interactions
between organisms and the physical
environment.
Conservation Biology is the scientific study
of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with
the aim of protecting species, their
habitats, and ecosystems from excessive
rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic
interactions.
Conservation biologists investigate the
impact of humans on Earth's biodiversity
and develop practical approaches to

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

Strategies for a
Sustainable World
advancing
technologies to
reduce waste
increasing
recycling and
reuse
creating even
safer treatment
and disposal
options
developing
sources of
renewable energy

MAINTAINING
BIODIVERSITY

CONTROLLING INVASIVE
SPECIES

INVASIVE SPECIES
Control Methods
Prevention
Eradicating potential invaders soon
after invasion
Physical (manual & mechanical)
Cultural Ecosystem Management
Biological natural enemies
Chemical - pesticides
Integrated Pest Management Uses a
combination
of methods OFTEN MOST EFFECTIVE

RECLAMATION OF
DISTURBED AREAS

REINTRODUCTION OF
SPECIES
ADVANTAGES
AND
DISADVANTAGE
S

Nonrenewable vs.
Renewable Energy
Sources
Non-renewable energy sources
fossil fuels as coal, oil and
natural gas as well as nuclear
fuels limited supply will run
out and have negative
environmental impacts
Renewable energy sources
sun, wind, waves, heat,
hydropower and biomass that
can be used again and again
and is cleanest energy sources.
There are pros and cons for
each type of energy