BIOL 2903 Lecture note PDF

Preview

Summary

Biology Natural History Notes BIOL 2903 Lecture 1 09/01/17    Animals = fauna & Plants = flora “Biodiversity” = total # of variety of species of flora and fauna o Biological + Diversity o ON Biodiversity = >10,000 Animal species & &am...

Description

Bi o l o g yNa t u r a lHi s t o r yNo t e s

BIOL 2903

Lecture 1 09/01/17  



Animals = fauna & Plants = flora “Biodiversity” = total # of variety of species of flora and fauna o Biological + Diversity o ON Biodiversity = >10,000 Animal species & >10,000 Plant species  Overall probably >100,000 species Why so many animals and plants? o 1) Size: >1 million km2 o 2) Great range of abiotic factors: temperature, precipitation, wind, soil type, fire, rocks o 3) Great range of biotic factors: different dominant plants that create “habitats”

2) ABIOTIC FACTORS: ROCKS 

“Rocks”: made of minerals that affect nutrient supply & soil chemistry o “Bedrock”: rock layer under any area “Sedimentary”: layered rock formed from water & sediments  Young rock (400-500 million years old)  Ex. “Limestone” (lots of calcium, soft, basic pH)  “Calciphiles” are plants that love basic soil and calcium like “Poison Ivy” o “Igneous”: molten rock (magma) from deep underground  Contains silica, is hard, and has an acidic pH  Ex. “Granite” (old rock 1-3 billion years old)  Some plants thrive in acidic soil  Some igneous rocks formed on the earth’s surface from volcanoes  Ex. “Basalt” is volcanic rock (and not acidic) o “Metamorphic”: formed from pre-existing rock that has been transformed by heat & pressure  Retains the chemical components of the parent rocks  Granite becomes “Gneiss” (acidic and lacks calcium)  Limestone becomes “Marble” (has calcium) Sedimentary rocks usually underlie FLAT terrain = “Lowlands” Igneous & Metamorphic rocks usually under HILLY terrain = “Highlands” Rocks create “Relief” = elevation variation (which creates “Microclimates”) On bedrock lies “Overburden” put there by “Glacial Deposits” o The type of land and glacial deposits affects the “Drainage” o

   

Water is one of the most important forces in ON  Carries material in a fast flowing or slow flowing manner, which determines what it leaves behind (moves and sorts materials)  Ex. Boulders, gravel, sand, silt, clay “Physiographic Regions”: distinct areas determined by their rock type and lay of the land o Ex. The Canadian Shield, Hudson Bay Lowland, Ottawa-St. Laurent Lowland, Great Lakes Lowland o



3) BIOTIC FACTORS: DOMINANT PLANTS 

“Forest Regions” or “Ecological”: areas defined by their dominant plants (mainly trees) o Ex. Tundra, Hudson Bay Lowland, Boreal Forest, Carolinian, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence

Lecture 1 Monday January 9th 2017 (2)

Fauna = Animals Flora = Plants Biodiversity = Biological Diversity = Total number and variety of living things (flora and fauna) in the area

Diversity in Ontario: -Herptiles (herps is the short form) = Reptiles and Amphibians = ~50 species -Fish = 154 species -Mammals = 81 species -Birds = 490 species -Flies = 172 species -Butterflies = 148 species -Moths = ~1000 species -Beetles = 100 species Total number of invertebrates = tens of thousands

Vascular plants = +3000 species Bryophytes = +800 species Total vascular plants, bryophytes and fungi = +10000 species Ontario’s overall biodiversity = +100000  aka we have a really rich province of biodiversity because: 1. The province is big (+ a million km2) 2. Has a great range of abiotic (non-living) factors -temperature -precipitation (water & snow) -wind -soil type -fire -rocks  Rocks are made of minerals that affect the nutrient supply and soil chemistry.  The rock under any given area is called Bedrock 基岩  Rocks hat are formed from sediments are called Sedimentary rocks (nicknamed young rocks). Example: Limestone which is rich in calcium and is relatively soft and basic pH. Some limestone is made from animals whose fossil remains are full of calcium. Plants that thrive from/in calcium love these rocks (ex: poison ivy) and are known as Calciphiles 喜钙的 Sedimentary rocks usually underlie flat terrain known as lowlands.  other rocks were formed from molten rock (magma) deep underground, they are not layered  2.Igneous rocks usually lack calcium, have lots of silica, are hard and acidic/low pH. Granite is a common example and they are known as old rocks. Some igneous rocks were formed on top of the earth’s surface. Basalt is a volcanic rock.  A third type of rock is formed from pre-existing rock transformed by heat and pressure – 3.Metamorphic Rock. They retain their chemical characteristics of their parent rocks. Limestone and Granite can also be metamorphosed into different forms. Limestone turns to marble. Example: Gneiss rock  Igneous and Metamorphic rocks usually underlie hilly terrain known as Highlands.  On top of the bedrock lies overburden glacial deposits. Because we have big boulders, we have much smaller particles such as silt, clay and sand. Whatever the glaciers left behind, either by the ice melting or rivers flowing, that left the overburden. Not always but usually there is overburden between the plants/vegetation and rocks.  The lay/nature of the land and the glacial “gifts” affect drainage. The smaller the particle, the denser the soil type and less water goes through. For example, water goes right through sand but not through clay nearly as easily. 3. Water -it is a habitat -it is required for most species survival -it can corrode rocks and remove minerals

-it can break down rocks, ice wedges form when water gets between the crevices and then freezes. This is how trees/roots are eventually able to grow in rock crevices. -depending on its speed, it leaves different things (boulders, gravel, sand, silt, clay, etc) 4. The type and the type of glacial deposits combined together affect the land physically. Some are flat, hilly, etc. Physiographic regions/physiography = rock type and lay/nature of the land  Canadian is really hard, hilly rocks and is the largest part/section of Ontario  Hudson Bay Lowland & Great Lakes – St Lawrence Lowlands surround the shield Each Physiographic region contains different habitats. In some regions of deciduous trees such as oak and maples are dominant. In other parts coniferous trees are dominant, examples are balsam fir and black spruce trees. The dominant canopy-forming trees define forest/ecological regions which are as follows: -

Tundra – vast open land and not many trees Hudson Bay Lowland – important of river Boreal forest (balsam fir &black fir) Great Lakes – St Lawrence (two pieces that are separated) Carolinian (dangerous species)

Lecture 2 11/01/17 





“Effervesces” – means water bubbles up o Ex. “Limestone” + HCl (because of the calcium carbonate) o Some “Limestone” is made from animal fossils full of calcium like snail shells o “Granite” or “Gneiss” + HCl = no effervescing o Ex. “Marble” + HCl = effervesces Water is a very powerful abiotic force: it forms habitats by moving rocks, is a habitat itself, modifies land temperature, and creates wind. o Continues to change ON o Leaves evidence of change with smooth rocks, randomly placed rocks “Erratic”, and large scratches “Striations” 条纹 formed by ice Ice covered ON millions of years ago multiple times. It was 2km deep and slow moving. o Period of glaciation = “Ice Age” o o



Ice moves back North, then after the weight of the ice is gone the land flourishes 茂盛 again = “Isostatic Rebound”. This has caused ON to be getting gradually larger. Ice destroyed all life and scoured rocks

o Glaciers 冰川 are caused by small drops in average temperature over millions of years “Lichen” was the first plant to grow back; directly onto rock. It is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae. Initiates “Succession”, which is the continuation of more plants to be able to grow. o

“Crustose 岩石 Lichen” colonizes on bare rocks (It is a “Pioneer Species”)  Provides a base for other plants to grow like “Moss”

  

 

 Grows by wind blowing material and building up o “Foliose Lichen” are leaf-like in appearance o “Fruticose Lichen” are stock-like or fruit-like in appearance o “Arborial Lichen” grows on trees Water and plants breakdown rocks and dissolve it into soil. Plants and animals came from “Glacial Refugia” – took refuge other places and then came back. “Poplars” and “White Birch” were the 1st kinds of trees to come back = “Pioneer Species” o They are shade-intolerant, therefore love sun, so trees like “Balsam Fir” and “Spruce” that are “Coniferous” then came to live grow beneath them. Forests can be mixed like this or, once the shade-intolerant trees die, the other trees can take over. Next came “Deciduous 落叶” trees brought in by animals through the process of “Zoochory” like “Maples” an “Oaks”. “Site Conditions” are the environmental conditions that dictate what can grow in an area. “Climax Forest” is a self-replacing forest with lots of seedlings.

TUNDRA    

The southernmost tundra in the whole world Bound by the Hudson’s Bay in the North and by the “Tree Line” (which is a flexible boundary) in the South. “Polar Bear Provincial Park” protects some of it and is the largest provincial park in ON The average temperature is -6◦ C and the ground is frozen all year round = “Permafrost”

Lecture 2 11/01/17 (2) 





“Effervesces” – means water bubbles up o Ex. “Limestone” + HCl (because of the calcium carbonate) o Some “Limestone” is made from animal fossils full of calcium like snail shells o “Granite” or “Gneiss” + HCl = no effervescing o Ex. “Marble” + HCl = effervesces Water is a very powerful abiotic force: it forms habitats by moving rocks, is a habitat itself, modifies land temperature, and creates wind. o Continues to change ON o Leaves evidence of change with smooth rocks, randomly placed rocks “Erratic”, and large scratches “Striations” formed by ice Ice covered ON millions of years ago multiple times. It was 2km deep and slow moving. o Period of glaciation = “Ice Age”

Ice moves back North, then after the weight of the ice is gone the land flourishes again = “Isostatic Rebound”. This has caused ON to be getting gradually larger. o Ice destroyed all life and scoured rocks o Glaciers are caused by small drops in average temperature over millions of years “Lichen” was the first plant to grow back; directly onto rock. It is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae. Initiates “Succession”, which is the continuation of more plants to be able to grow. o “Crustose Lichen” colonizes on bare rocks (It is a “Pioneer Species”)  Provides a base for other plants to grow like “Moss”  Grows by wind blowing material and building up o “Foliose Lichen” are leaf-like in appearance o “Fruticose Lichen” are stock-like or fruit-like in appearance o “Arborial Lichen” grows on trees Water and plants breakdown rocks and dissolve it into soil. Plants and animals came from “Glacial Refugia” – took refuge other places and then came back. “Poplars” and “White Birch” were the 1st kinds of trees to come back = “Pioneer Species” o They are shade-intolerant, therefore love sun, so trees like “Balsam Fir” and “Spruce” that are “Coniferous” then came to live grow beneath them. Forests can be mixed like this or, once the shade-intolerant trees die, the other trees can take over. Next came “Deciduous” trees brought in by animals through the process of “Zoochory” like “Maples” an “Oaks”. “Site Conditions” are the environmental conditions that dictate what can grow in an area. “Climax Forest” is a self-replacing forest with lots of seedlings. o



  

 

TUNDRA    

The southernmost tundra in the whole world Bound by the Hudson’s Bay in the North and by the “Tree Line” (which is a flexible boundary) in the South. “Polar Bear Provincial Park” protects some of it and is the largest provincial park in ON The average temperature is -6◦ C and the ground is frozen all year round = “Permafrost”

Lecture2 (2) Sedimentary Rock -Limestone -Important because it involves Calcium (calcium carbonate) which is relatively soft and basic in pH -When we put HCl on a sedimentary rock it bubbles, aka it effervesces because:

CaCO3 + HCl  H20 + Co2 gas -Some limestone is made from animals whose fossil remains are full of calcium

Igneous/metamorphic rock -For the most part they do not contain calcium -When HCl is dropped on Granite and Gneiss nothing happens -They are generally hard and acidic -Recall that granite can be transformed into Gneiss rock -Limestone can also be metamorphosed into Marble. When you drop HCl on marble it bubbles, aka it effervesces

Physiographic regions -biggest one is the Canadian shield, very hilly rocky areas -the Hudson Bay Lowland very flat, wet lands with sedimentary rock underneath them. Sparse spruce trees here and there. -Great Lakes – St Lawrence Lowland has two sections with a “neck” of the Canadian shield that intervenes between the two parts of this region. Very flat. Has a mix of trees from the lower boreal and parts of the Carolinian regions -The tundra no canopy laying trees -The boreal is dominated mostly by spruce trees -Carolinian contains mostly oak and maple trees that dominate

Water -recall water is an important factor in Ontario’s biodiversity -It is a habitat for plants and animals -Large bodies of water modify land temperatures and winds. People that live near the great lakes deal with a lot of strong winds that can greatly affect/influence the temperature

-Indirectly creates habitat because it will move particles based on size -Water continues to change the face of Ontario. It was a factor in the past as well because there is evidence of its power in rocks that look like a “slide” because they were worn down by water -Erratic rocks are rocks/boulders that are different than the type of rocks that they are laying on. -Striations (scratches) on rocks that are parallel on the rock. He found them canoeing in a river. -Water in the form of ice has also greatly affected Ontario. Over the past million years, ice covered all of Ontario several times. -Period of glaciation is known as an Ice Age and the most recent one was the Pleistocene. -When the glaciers moved back north each time, the land responded to the removal of the weight of the ice (incredible weight) by gradually coming/springing back up (known as rebound and the type of rebound was Isostatic). Every single year Ontario grows larger. The glaciers scoured the rocks and destroyed all life in Ontario. Only a small drop in average temperature can spawn glaciers, it doesn’t have to be a significant change of temperature for it to be effective. -How did life return after glaciers? The bare rock was initially colonized by lichens (a fungi and algae/bacteria together) which he refers to them as natures graffiti on rocks. They are symbiotic relationships between fungi and algae. -Crustose lichens colonize bare rock and are the pioneer species. They get all of their nutrients from the air. They are very diverse. They have physical presence so other things grow with them because they have the ability to trap windblown materials/spores of something. -Foliose lichens are leaf like -Fruticose lichens like stock -Pixie cups are a type of fruticose lichens -British soldiers are a type of fruticose lichens -Arboreal lichens grow on trees -Mosses often grown with lichen but they can also be colonizers (also called a pioneer species) -Lichens and mosses physically trap wind blown soil (Loess) -Lichens initiate succession – the ability to change from no life at all to a group of

complex biodiverse organisms. In other words, the change through time of the biodiversity of an area -Water continues to break down the rock and so do the plants. The dissolved and physically broken rocks help form more soil. Eventually more and more broken down rocks form soil and then you get things like a forest out of that same soil. Eventually you go from barren rocks to beautiful hills of forest with animals living within them as well. All animals have their existence due to lichens because they are the ones who started it all. -Where do the plants and animals come from?  Glacial refugia. A refugium is a place of refuge. What kind of sea dispersal in plants would bring the first non-lichen plants back to Ontario?  Wind -Poplars and white birches are often the first trees to colonize new soil. They are also known as a pioneer species. -Shade tolerant species/trees such as spruce and fir grown under poplars/white-birches and the spruces usually live longer than the poplars so you end up with a mixed forest to a forest that is mostly coniferous. The shade tolerant trees eventually outlive the pioneers. -Shade tolerant trees such as sugar maples or spruces replace shade intolerant (sun-loving) trees such as Trembling Aspen trees. -Site conditions – environmental conditions (temperature, precipitation, etc) -A climax forest – for example maples can replace maples over time but it will only happen if the conditions are right. -Recall the dominant canopy-forming trees are used to define forest regions

Tundra -The most northerly “ecological” or forest region is the Tundra, which lies in the Hudson Bay Lowland physiographic region. -The kind of rock type that would be under the soil would be the sedimentary limestone. The Tundra lacks a tree canopy 树荫 -This is the southern-most sub-artic tundra in the world! -The northern limit of the tundra is Hudson bay. -The southern limit is the “Tree line” – a poorly defined border that meanders at varying distances(1032km) from the coast. Because there are larger trees at the line that creates a tree canopy which is not part of the Tundra

-Polar Bear Provincial Park -Polar Bear Provincial Park protects some of the tundra which is Ontario’s largest provincial park. It is very cold! Average daily temperature is -6 degrees Celsius so the ground stays frozen year-round – Permafrost

Lecture 3 16/01/17 TUNDRA CONT.  

   

    

Permafrost makes it hard for plants to grow and decompose = few minerals and soil buildup o Flat + frozen ground = poor draining, wet, and theres lots of water 0-60m above sea level o Land is rising 1.2m/100 years due to Isostatic Rebound o Moving northwards 400m/100 years Coldest wind chill in North America, which blows abrasive particles Clay and Silt are 5-75m thick because it used to be covered by the “Tyrrell Sea” up to the Canadian Shield 8000-7000 years ago. Birds: “Scaup” diving ducks in the lakes & “Scoter” sea ducks Geese: “Canada Goose” & “Snow Goose” o Millions of geese o The transformation from forest to cornfields has changed the migration of the geese. Now they can eat corn in the prairies and go up north to the Tundra. o Fatter females from more corn = more eggs = more geese o Geese have negative effects because they dig up plant tubers, which are hard to digest that produces a lot of feces full of nitrogen Animals: “Tundra Swans”, “Wood Frogs” & “Chorus Frogs” that are “Freeze Tolerant” o There are NO: turtles, salamanders, and snakes ½ of Canadian rivers drain into the Hudson Bay “The Height of Land” is a barrier where above it the water all flows in the Arctic Ocean and below it all flows into the Atlantic Ocean Freshwater rivers are habitats for “Otters” and “Beavers” Hudson’s Bay has 1/3 the salinity of oceans because of all the freshwater o Freezes solid in winter o Animals have to deal with the salt: “Eiders” sea ducks, 3 Loon species – “Common Loon”, “Red Throated Loon”, “Pacific Loon”. They eat salt water fish by using their “Salt Glands” to remove the salt. Aquatic birds are only there in the summer! o ALSO: “Ringed” & “Bearded” Seals, “Walrus” colony off of Cape Henrietta Maria, “Beluga Whales”. Seals and Walruses are food for Polar Bears (most southernmost polar bears in the world!)

    



“Indicator Species” species that are ONLY found in 1 area of Ontario, like seals, walruses and polar bears “Sand Dunes” are formed by coastal sand deposits. Give bears dens and shelter. “American Dune ...