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What do you have a question about? Look through our list of topics
to see if we have already answered your question. Just a click of your mouse could take
you to the answer you are looking for!
What is ecology?
Ecology is the study of organisms and their relationship with their surroundings. Specifically, ecologists study the interaction between
organisms and their environment. An example would be the earth and us (humans). Some ecologists study this. Some ecologists study a
specific species or habitat. They might study the behavior of a single species to see how it interacts with other organisms and
the environment. Or, an ecologist might study many different species that either depend on each other (a food web, for example), or compete
with each other for food and space. There are many fields of ecology with lots of things still to be discovered. If you want to know
what an ecologist does, check out the Ecologist Activities page.
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What is a biome?
Each biome can be described as an area on our earth that shares similar climate, animals, and plants. There are actually
about 150 different classified biomes today! The main ones are Marine, Tundra, Desert, Savannah, Grassland, Tropical Rain Forest, Deciduous
Forest, and Coniferous Forest (Taiga). Many of these biomes are described in depth on our Biome pages.
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What is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem includes all the abiotic (non-living) factors in addition to the community of biotic (living) things that exists in a certain area. Some ideas associated
with an ecosystem are energy flow, and the cycling of nutrients and wastes among the various biotic and abiotic components.
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What are abiotic and biotic factors that effect populations?
Abiotic factors are the non-living factors in an environment such as temperature, light, water, and nutrients. Biotic factors are
living organisms that are part of an environment. Together abiotic and biotic factors make up our surroundings. For example, lets take
a look at our earth. Some biotic factors are the plants that give us oxygen, and the animals that we eat. Some abiotic factors are
the sun, water, and soil. Can you think of any others?
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What is a food chain/food web?
A food chain is a simple model showing the flow of nutritional
energy through an ecosystem. This means that a food chain shows the path of food from one organism
to another, transferring energy to the organism digesting the food. However, the reality is more
complex because most organisms eat a variety of food. Therefore, a food chain is a picture or
model that that more accurately shows the transfer and flow of energy in an ecosystem. The dynamics of each food web can be
different in each ecosystem, but all consist of three types of organisms: producers, consumers, and decomposers.
All food webs start with the sun. The sun provides energy for plants. Plants
are considered producers because they make their own food with the help of the sun. Animals,
including humans, cannot make their own food. As a result, they must get their energy from
other sources, usually plants and other animals. Thus, animals are considered consumers. At the end
of an animal's life something must happen to their bodies. Decomposers are the very small (microscopic)
organisms that break down the bodies of dead animals and plants. The nutrients that come from this
decomposition become part of the soil that is re-used by new plants, back at the base of the food
web.
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What is recycling? What can I do?
Recycling means that we take products that have been used and turn them into something else to use again. Most of the things that we
use every day are made from resources that come from the earth, and that have been processed and turned into other products. When
we throw away these products (like a juice bottle, for example), they normally end up in a landfill. Unfortunately, a lot of the
things that we use and throw away will never break down or biodegrade. For example, when a plant dies, small organisms and bacteria in the
soil can break it down and return it into the soil to be used by new plants. This process of decomposition is nature's way of recycling.
When we recycle items like a juice bottle, our wastes don't get thrown into a landfill, but instead are re-used in other products.
Starting recycling programs at school is a great way help raise recycling awareness in your community.
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What is pollution?
There are many types of pollution happening today, even in your city. One type of pollution we hear about a lot here in Santa Barbara
is oil pollution. This can be spillage or even leakage of processed oil into oceans. Other types of pollution include air pollution
(the layer of brown clouds you see when you go to Los Angeles and other big cities). Pollution from sewage and drainage into rivers
and oceans also is a serious problem for our environment. Finally, deforestation and industry development can also be thought of as
ways the environment is being polluted.
How does
pollution affect
rivers, oceans, and our ecosystem?
Our rivers, lakes and oceans are affected by pollution in many ways. First and foremost, the organisms that
live in these places are often harmed by pollution. The water can be polluted by chemical and product leaks, which may cause the animals
who live in the water to get sick. Animals who are high up on the food chain can also get sick from toxic build up in their bodies
from eating other affected animals and plants. Air pollution also has very negative effects on our atmosphere. There is a hole in our ozone due to pollution
in the air. If this hole gets bigger we won’t be as protected from the sunlight and it's heat. Many
years from now this could pose a serious threat to humans.
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What are people doing to stop
or control pollution?
The government has passed a some pollution prevention acts. Basically, these acts say pollution should be prevented or reduced
wherever possible. Also whenever pollution cannot be prevented, things should be recycled in a safe manner. Disposal of waste into
the environment should be a last resort and should be done in an environmentally safe manner. Many people dedicate their careers
to studying the effects of pollution and getting legislation passed to reduce environmental pollution. There is continued need for people
to work on controlling pollution.
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