Interactions

Ecology Study of organisms and how they interact with each other and the environment AbioticBiotic

Limiting Factors Can be abiotic or biotic, have significant impact on organisms’ ability to survive

Examples of Limiting Factors A.Snakes and lizards live where it is warmer B.Monarch butterflies require milkweed plants as food source for caterpillars C.Fish and amount of DO in water-trout need more than bass, which need more than catfish D.Plants and availability of sunlight or nutrients in soil

Hierarchy of Organization Atoms  Molecules  Organelles  Cells  Tissue  Organs  Organ Systems  *Organism  Populations  Communities  Ecosystems  Biosphere What is the biosphere?

Habitat vs. Niche Habitat- Niche-

Competitive Exclusion Principle No two species can occupy the same niche. If they do, competition between the two will be intense and one species will outcompete the other This can lead to:

Natural Selection and Evolution “survival of the fittest” More successful organisms survive and produce more offspring

4 Premises for Evolution 1.More offspring are produced than can survive (ex. Rabbits, apple seeds) 2.Resources are limited (as population increases, resources decrease) 3.Within a population, there is variation (DNA) 4.Organisms that adapt better or have better traits are ones that survive and reproduce (populations are smallest unit that can evolve)

Example of Natural Selection Industrial Revolution in England Peppered Moths (2 Forms- Light and Dark)

Organism Interactions Relationship 1.Predation 2.Competition 3.Parasitism 4.Commensal- ism 5.Mutualism Species 1 Predator + - Parisite + + Species 2 Prey - - Host – o +

2 Types of Competition Intraspecific Interspecific * Winner is better adapted and thus more likely to pass genes on to next generation

Roles of Organisms in Ecosystems 1.Producers- convert inorganic molecules into organic molecules through ___________ Ex. Plants, ferns, mosses, algae

Roles of Organisms in Ecosystems 2. Consumers- consume organic matter for energy and organic molecules necessary to grow

Types of Consumers A.Herbivore B.Carnivore C.Omnivore D.Scavenger E.Parasite

Roles of Organisms in Ecosystems 3. Decomposer- returns organic molecules into inorganic material; completes the recycling of atoms Ex. Fungi, bacteria, some insects and worms

Energy Flow Through Ecosystems All energy for life on Earth comes from the ___

Trophic Levels Less individuals each time you move up a trophic level. Why?