fragile arctic tundra : nature and the science

The disturbences in Environment and ecology due to the different factors
Climate regulation: Reflects sunlight, cools the planet
Biodiversity hotspot: Unique and diverse ecosystems
Natural resources: Oil, gas, minerals
Indigenous cultures: Home to indigenous peoples

1. 2011 ECOLOGY (B&C)2011 ECOLOGY (B&C)
KAREN LANCOURKAREN LANCOUR
National Bio Rules Committee National Bio Rules Committee
ChairmanChairman
[email protected]

2. Event Rules – 2011
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.

3. Event Rules – 2011
•BE SURE TO CHECK THE 2011 EVENT
RULES FOR EVENT PARAMETERS
AND TOPICS FOR EACH
COMPETITION LEVEL

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

5. EVENT COMPONENTS EVENT COMPONENTS
•Ecology Content – 2011Ecology Content – 2011
–Principles of Ecology (about 50 %)
–Taiga and Tundra (new) of North America (about
50%)
•Process skillsProcess skills in data, graph and diagram analysis
•Event parameters – Event parameters – check the event parameters in check the event parameters in
the rules for resources allowed.the rules for resources allowed.

6. Section I: General Principles of
Ecology
ECOLOGYECOLOGY – how organisms interact with one another
and with their environment
ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT – living and non-living components
•ABIOTICABIOTIC – non-living component or physical factors – non-living component or physical factors
as soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperaturesas soil, rainfall, sunlight, temperatures
•BIOTICBIOTIC – living component are other organisms – living component are other organisms.

7. ECOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
•INDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL – individual organisms
•POPULATIONPOPULATION – organisms of same species in
same area (biotic factors)
•COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY – several populations in same
area (biotic factors)
•ECOSYSTEMECOSYSTEM – community plus abiotic factors
•BIOSPHEREBIOSPHERE – all ecosystems on earth

8. ECOLOGY OF
INDIVIDUALS
•Homeostasis Homeostasis – delicate balance– delicate balance
•Components Components
–Physiological Ecology Physiological Ecology
–Temperature and Water BalanceTemperature and Water Balance
–Light and Biological CyclesLight and Biological Cycles
–Physiological Ecology and ConservationPhysiological Ecology and Conservation

9. ECOLOGY OF POPULATIONS
•Properties of populationsProperties of populations
•Patterns of distribution and densityPatterns of distribution and density
•Intraspecific competitionIntraspecific competition
•Population dynamicsPopulation dynamics
•Growth and regulationGrowth and regulation
•Altering population growthAltering population growth
•Human impactHuman impact

10. Growth Curves

11. Human Population

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

13. ECOLOGY OF COMMUNITIES
•Closed vs. Open communitiesClosed vs. Open communities
–Closed – Closed – sharp boundariessharp boundaries
–Open – Open – Lack boundariesLack boundaries
•Species abundance and diversitySpecies abundance and diversity
•Trophic Structure of CommunitiesTrophic Structure of Communities
–Food chainsFood chains
–Food webFood web
–Trophic pyramidTrophic pyramid

14. INTERACTIONS AMONG SPECIES
•InteractionsInteractions
•Interspecific competitionInterspecific competition
•PredationPredation
•ExploitationExploitation
•SymbiosisSymbiosis

15. Types of Species Interactions
•NeutralNeutral – two species do not interact – two species do not interact
•MutualismMutualism – both benefit – both benefit
•CommensalismCommensalism – one benefits, other neutral – one benefits, other neutral
•ParasitismParasitism – one benefits, one harmed – one benefits, one harmed
but not killed but not killed
•PredationPredation – one benefits, other killed – one benefits, other killed

16. Predator - Prey Relationship

17. Food Chain
•rose plantrose plant  aphidsaphids  beetlebeetle  chameleonchameleon  hawk hawk
•Producer
•1
st
order Consumer or Herbivore
•2
nd
order Consumer or 1
st
order Carnivore
•3
rd
order Consumer or 2
nd
order Carnivore
•4
th
order Consumer or 3
rd
order Carnivore
•Decomposers – consume dead and decaying matter

18. Food Web

19. ECOLOGY OF ECOSYSTEMS
•Energy Flow Energy Flow
–Energy Flow PyramidsEnergy Flow Pyramids
–Bio-mass PyramidsBio-mass Pyramids
•Community Succession and StabilityCommunity Succession and Stability
•Nutrient Recycling Nutrient Recycling – nutrient cycles – nutrient cycles

20. Energy vs Nutrient
•Nutrients – cyclic
(Biogeochemical
Cycles)
•Energy flow – one
way

21. 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.

22. Numbers Pyramid

23. Biomass & Energy Flow
Pyramids

24. Biogeochemical Cycles
•Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle

•Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus Cycle
•Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle
•Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle

25. Hydrologic (Water) Cycle

26. Phosphorus Cycle

27. Nitrogen Cycle

28. Carbon Cycle

29. Biosphere
•Types of Ecological SpheresTypes of Ecological Spheres
–BiosphereBiosphere
–LithosphereLithosphere
–HydrosphereHydrosphere
–AtmosphereAtmosphere
•Biogeochemical Cycles Biogeochemical Cycles
•Disruption of BiosphereDisruption of Biosphere
•Specie Extinction & Biosphere DestructionSpecie Extinction & Biosphere Destruction

30. Section II: ECOLOGY OF
BIOMES
•Weather and ClimateWeather and Climate
•Types of BiomesTypes of Biomes
–Aquatic biomesAquatic biomes
–Terrestrial biomesTerrestrial biomes
•2011 – Biomes of North America 2011 – Biomes of North America
–Tundra (Tundra (newnew) )
–Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)Taiga (Boreal Forest or Coniferous Forest)

31. Terrestrial Biomes – Latitude vs.
Altitude

32. Biomes:
Temperature and Climate for Terrestrial Biomes

33. Adaptations of Plants & Animals
•Not intended to be a taxonomic event Not intended to be a taxonomic event
•Emphasis on adaptations of common plants Emphasis on adaptations of common plants
and animals to each biomeand animals to each biome
•Common members of food chains and food Common members of food chains and food
webs of each biomewebs of each biome
•Limiting factors for each biomeLimiting factors for each biome

34. TAIGA OF NORTH AMERICA
•2nd largest forest in the 2nd largest forest in the
worldworld
•Ring Artic between Artic Ring Artic between Artic
and Deciduous Forest – 50 and Deciduous Forest – 50
to 60 degrees North to 60 degrees North
Latitude Latitude
•Upper elevations of Upper elevations of
MountainsMountains

35. Tiaga or Boreal (Evergreen)
forests of North America

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

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

38. Taiga - Food web

39. Taiga: Types of Plants
•Conifers are major producer Conifers are major producer
•Most common types – spruce, balsam fir and pine Most common types – spruce, balsam fir and pine
•Others – hemlock, cedar, redwood, junipersOthers – hemlock, cedar, redwood, junipers
•Latitude and altitude influences speciesLatitude and altitude influences species
•Berry-producing shrubs important to birds, mammals Berry-producing shrubs important to birds, mammals
and people and people
•Some types of fungi, lichens, and mossesSome types of fungi, lichens, and mosses

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

41. Taiga: Types of Animals
•Insects – millions of insects in the summerInsects – millions of insects in the summer
•birds – up to 3 billion insect-eating birds breed each year in Taiga – birds – up to 3 billion insect-eating birds breed each year in Taiga –
over 200 speciesover 200 species
•Seed eaters like finches and sparrows as well as omnivorous birds Seed eaters like finches and sparrows as well as omnivorous birds
as crows stay all yearas crows stay all year
•Crossbill has specialized bill for prying open cones and nuthatch Crossbill has specialized bill for prying open cones and nuthatch
can break the cones open can break the cones open
•Herbivores as small mammals, snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels, Herbivores as small mammals, snowshoe rabbits, red squirrels,
voles and lemmingvoles and lemming
•Predators feeding on small mammals as owls, wolves, lynx, Predators feeding on small mammals as owls, wolves, lynx,
bobcats, minks, wolverines, weasels, mink, otters, martens, fishers bobcats, minks, wolverines, weasels, mink, otters, martens, fishers

•Deer, elk and mooseDeer, elk and moose
•Largest predators as grizzlies, lynx, and mountain lions will also Largest predators as grizzlies, lynx, and mountain lions will also
feed on weakened or young deer, elk or moose feed on weakened or young deer, elk or moose

42. Taiga: Animal Adaptations for long cold
winters and hot summers
–migrate south in winter (birds) migrate south in winter (birds)
–go into hibernation during winter go into hibernation during winter
–store extra fat layers on their bodies for winter store extra fat layers on their bodies for winter
–change diets from season to seasonchange diets from season to season
–grow extra fur on the bottom of their feet to tread grow extra fur on the bottom of their feet to tread
on snow easier (lynx and snowshoe rabbit)on snow easier (lynx and snowshoe rabbit)
–change fur color and coat thickness from season to change fur color and coat thickness from season to
seasonseason
–live under snow in winter in snow tunnels live under snow in winter in snow tunnels
(lemmings, mice, shrews, voles)(lemmings, mice, shrews, voles)

43. Taiga: Environmental Concerns
•Pollution Clear cuttingPollution Clear cutting
•Illegal logging Illegal logging
•PoachingPoaching
•Forest fires – unnatural firesForest fires – unnatural fires
•MiningMining
•Drilling for oil and natural gas disrupt the Drilling for oil and natural gas disrupt the
forestforest
•Global warmingGlobal warming

44. Taiga: Role in Earth’s Climate
•It stores large quantities of carbon stored as plant It stores large quantities of carbon stored as plant
material on forest floor (up to 10 feet in some areas)material on forest floor (up to 10 feet in some areas)
•1 cm of plant material can hold 2.5 tons of carbon per 1 cm of plant material can hold 2.5 tons of carbon per
acreacre
•Taiga acts like a large refrigerator preventing fallen trees, Taiga acts like a large refrigerator preventing fallen trees,
needles and other debris from decomposing needles and other debris from decomposing
•Heating up the taiga is causing the following problems:Heating up the taiga is causing the following problems:
Litter decomposes putting carbon into the atmosphereLitter decomposes putting carbon into the atmosphere
Increases in forest fires Increases in forest fires
Infestation by bark beetles which is killing the trees Infestation by bark beetles which is killing the trees
Dead trees - tinder to fuel the forest fires and adding Dead trees - tinder to fuel the forest fires and adding
more more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

45. 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)

46. TUNDRA OF NORTH AMERICA
 Simple vegetation structure
 Limitation of drainage
 Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic
material
 Large population oscillations

47. TUNDRA – Abiotic Factors
•Angle of incidence for incoming solar radiation is low and twilight
lasts many hours
•Temperature - extremely cold - from -30
o
C to -40
o
C in winter;
average winter temperature of - 34 degrees C ( -30 degrees F).
Highest summer temperature is only about 10
o
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

48. Tundra Food Web

49. Tundra Energy Pyramid

50. TUNDRA of North America

51. Plants of the Tundra

52. 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

53. 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

54. Animals of the Tundra

55. 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

56. 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 –
Population constantly oscillates

57. Environmental Importance
of the TUNDRA
Filters millions of liters of water
Stores large amounts of carbon
The permafrost layers doesn’t 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 CO
2 to the
atmosphere

58. 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

59. TUNDRA: Role in Earth’s Climate
•global warming is happening at twice the rate of
more temperate regions of the earth
•affect 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