AP Environmental Science: Introduction to Ecosystems

Instructor Introduction

• Instructor: Lisa Bagley
• Teaching APES since 2010
• Works at West Mesquite High School, Mesquite ISD, Dallas

Lecture Overview

• Topic 1.1: Introduction to Ecosystems
• Focus: Predator-prey relationships and resource availability's influence on species interactions
• Learning Objective: ERT 1.A - Connecting essential knowledge to science skills for the AP exam

Key Concepts

Ecosystems

• Definition: Community of living organisms (biotic) interacting with non-living components (abiotic) as a system.
• Biotic Components: Producers (plants, algae), herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, detritivores, soil
• Abiotic Components: Sunlight, temperature, precipitation, moisture, pH of soil and water
• Question: Why is soil both biotic and abiotic?

Species Interactions

• Types of Interactions:
  • Predator-Prey: E.g., Grizzly bear and salmon
  • Symbiotic (to be covered later): Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism
  • Competitive: Between different species or within a species
• Focus: Identify biotic/abiotic resources driving interactions

Predator-Prey Relationships

• Essential Knowledge (ERT 1.8.1):
  • Predators: Hunt and kill prey; prey is a food resource
  • Resource Influence: Availability of prey affects predator numbers
  • Trophic Structure Consideration: Classify prey and predators

Graphical Analysis of Predator-Prey

• Graph Title: Predator-Prey Oscillations over Time
• Axes:
  • X-axis: Time (linear progression)
  • Y-axes: Prey population (solid line), Predator population (dashed line)
• Observations:
  • Prey and predator numbers rise and fall with oscillations
  • Peaks of prey precede predator peaks; prey peaks higher
  • Consider why lags and differences in peaks occur
  • Other factors influencing populations

Practice and Understanding

• Science Practice 1.A: Description of environmental concepts and processes
• Key Questions:
  • Identify key aspects of predator-prey relationships
  • Explain how resource availability influences interactions
  • Describe predator-prey relationships in graphical format

Conclusion

• Ensure understanding of predator-prey key aspects
• Ability to describe relationships in various formats

Ensure comprehension of all discussed topics to prepare for further lessons and exam preparation.