AS 2.5 Describe concepts and processes relating to ecology

Miss Jan

Ecology comes from a Greek work

meaning home – so ecology is the study

of organisms in their home

environment.

Ecology and the Environment

Learning objectives:Define the word ecologyDefine the word environmentExplain the difference between biotic and abiotic factors

Give examples of biotic and abiotic factors

Ecology and the Environment

Ecology is the study of living things (organisms) in their natural surroundings or environment.

The environment includes everything living (biotic factors) and non-living or physical (abiotic factors).

Biotic Factors: the influences that result from the activities of living organisms in the community.

Food availabilityPredationParasitesCompetition Human actions

Abiotic Factors: the influences of the non-living aspects of the community

Light (intensity, direction, day length)

Water (salinity, humidity, pH, tidal exposure, rainfall)

Wind (speed, direction, exposure) Soil type (pH, nutrient levels) Pressure (altitude effects, oxygen

levels)

Did You Know That…?

Sharks can hear a swimmer's heartbeat 3 to 4 metres away. That's why they are so well adapted for hunting.

Habitat and Environmental factors Hand out

Habitat and Niche The particular places where organisms live are

called their _______________. Example s of habitats

are:_________________________________________________________________

Each habitat has particular conditions or ______________.

Each species has features suiting it to the conditions in its _____________.

These features enable each species to have its own unique role (or way of living) in its habitat, called its ecological ____________, which is usually related to how it obtains __________.

HabitatForest floor, streams, rock pool, grassland, etc

factorshabitat

nichefood

Mixed up answers for the ‘Biotic factors’ section

other speciesAffects growth, pop. size

Affects pop. size, location

Affects pop. size, dispersion

Affects growth, pop. size, dispersion, habitat constraints

Types of Environmental FactorsBiotic factors are due to effects caused

by _______________ in that habitat. Suggest how a species could be affected by

the following biotic factors: Food supply: Predation: Competition: Human actions:

other species

Affects growth, pop. sizeAffects pop. size, location

Affects pop. size, dispersionAffects growth, pop. size, dispersion, habitat constraints

physical or climatic

Growth (photosynthesis), water loss, temp, behaviour

Behaviour, reproduction, temp.

Water loss/gain

Water loss, temp, increased predation

Mixed up answers for the ‘abiotic factors’ sections

Growth (plants), water gain, nutrients, dispersal, salinity, temp.

Water loss, range, food availability, temp regulation

Nutrient availability and growth (plants), habitat zone

Water loss, food supply, growth, range

Water loss, physical damage, dispersal, temp.

Dispersal, extended habitat zone, physical damage

Abiotic factors are due to effects caused by ______________________ conditions.

Suggest how a species could be affected by the following abiotic factors:

Light intensity:

Day-length:

Salinity:

Tidal exposure:

physical or climatic

Growth (photosynthesis), water loss, temp, behaviour

Behaviour, reproduction, temp.

Water loss/gain

Water loss, temp, increased predation

Rainfall:

Humidity:

pH levels:

Temperature:

Wind:

Wave action:

Growth (plants), water gain, nutrients, dispersal, salinity, temp.

Water loss, range, food availability, temp regulationNutrient availability and growth (plants), habitat zone

Water loss, food supply, growth, range

Water loss, physical damage, dispersal, temp.

Dispersal, extended habitat zone, physical damage

Did You Know That…?

Humans show some signs that resemble hibernation. When we sleep, our body temperatures do drop slightly before and during sleeping.

Homework

Brainstorm the biotic and abiotic factors that affect which organisms living in … grass fields, own back garden, beaches, etc. (Choose one area only)