Ecology IntroductionEcology Introduction

PG. 100PG. 100

EcologyEcology = = scientific study of scientific study of interactions between organisms, and interactions between organisms, and between organisms and their environmentbetween organisms and their environment– BiosphereBiosphere = = all parts of our earth where life all parts of our earth where life

existsexistsLife depends on Life depends on interactionsinteractions between living between living

and non-living parts of the biosphereand non-living parts of the biosphere

6 Levels of Organization6 Levels of Organization1. Biome Group of ecosystems with the same climate and similar

dominant communities (desert, tundra, taiga, temperate forest, tropical rainforest, artic)

2. Ecosystem Collection of all organisms that live in a particular place, together with the non-living parts of their environment

3. Communities Assemblies of different populations living in a defined area

4. Populations Groups of individuals belonging to the same species and living in the same area

5. Species Group of organisms so similar to one another they can breed and produce fertile offspring

6. Individual One member of a species

6 Levels of OrganizationBiome

Ecosystem

Community

Population

Species

Individual

Parts of an EcosystemParts of an Ecosystem Biotic factorsBiotic factors = = living, biological, living, biological,

factors that shape ecosystemsfactors that shape ecosystems– Trees, mushrooms, bacteria, animals, Trees, mushrooms, bacteria, animals,

flowers, etc.flowers, etc. Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors = = physical or non-living physical or non-living

factors that shape ecosystemsfactors that shape ecosystems– Rocks, water, soil, air, sunlightRocks, water, soil, air, sunlight

Biotic Biotic ++ Abiotic factors determine the survival Abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity and growth of an organism and the productivity of the ecosystemof the ecosystem

Abiotic factors

Biotic factors

Who Lives in an EcosystemWho Lives in an Ecosystem HabitatHabitat = = an organism’s address, an organism’s address,

where it liveswhere it lives NicheNiche = = an organism’s occupation, an organism’s occupation,

what it does in its habitatwhat it does in its habitat– Includes:Includes:

Where it fits into the food webWhere it fits into the food web Type of food it eatsType of food it eats How it obtains foodHow it obtains food When and how it reproducesWhen and how it reproduces

NoNo 2 species can share the 2 species can share the SAMESAME habitat habitat and the and the SAMESAME niche niche

But, different species can occupy But, different species can occupy similarsimilar niches in the same habitatniches in the same habitat

BiomesBiomes Earth is divided into Earth is divided into 1010 biomes biomes BiomeBiome = = a complex of terrestrial a complex of terrestrial

communities covering a large area, communities covering a large area, characterized by a certain type of soil and characterized by a certain type of soil and climate, and contains particular types of climate, and contains particular types of plants and animalsplants and animals

Energy FlowEnergy Flow

Everything needs energyEverything needs energy The Sun is the ultimate source of The Sun is the ultimate source of

energyenergy Energy flows through an ecosystemEnergy flows through an ecosystem ProducersProducers = = obtain energy directly obtain energy directly

from the sun or capture energy from from the sun or capture energy from chemicalschemicals– AutotrophsAutotrophs = = plants, some algae, and plants, some algae, and

certain bacteria can capture the sun’s certain bacteria can capture the sun’s energy or use chemicals to produce energy or use chemicals to produce their own foodtheir own food

– Autotrophs are producersAutotrophs are producers

ConsumersConsumers ConsumersConsumers = = organism that feeds on other organism that feeds on other

plants and animalsplants and animals– HeterotrophsHeterotrophs = = organisms that rely on organisms that rely on

other organisms for their energy and food supplyother organisms for their energy and food supply– Consumers are heterotrophsConsumers are heterotrophs

Types of heterotrophsTypes of heterotrophs::– HerbivoreHerbivore – – eats only plantseats only plants– CarnivoreCarnivore-- eats only animals eats only animals– OmnivoreOmnivore-- eats plants and animals eats plants and animals– DetritivoreDetritivore – eats plant and animal remains, dead – eats plant and animal remains, dead

thingsthings– DecomposersDecomposers – breaks down organic matter – breaks down organic matter

cow, sheep, caterpillar

snakes, dogs, owls

humans, bears, crows

mites, earthwor

ms, snails, crabs

bacteria, fungi