1 What is Ecology? copyright cmassengale

2 What is Ecology?? The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in. The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment. It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in.It explains how living organisms affect each other and the world they live in. copyright cmassengale

3 Organisms and Their Environments copyright cmassengale Species interact with both other species and their nonliving environment. Interdependence is a theme in ecology—one change can affect all species in an ecosystem.

4 Habitat & Niche Habitat is the place a plant or animal livesHabitat is the place a plant or animal lives Niche is an organism’s total way of lifeNiche is an organism’s total way of life Habitat is the place a plant or animal livesHabitat is the place a plant or animal lives Niche is an organism’s total way of lifeNiche is an organism’s total way of life copyright cmassengale

5 Levels of Organization Ecologists have organized the interactions an organism takes part in into different levels according to complexity.Ecologists have organized the interactions an organism takes part in into different levels according to complexity. copyright cmassengale

6 Levels of Organization copyright cmassengale

7 1 st Level of Organization Organism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and developsOrganism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops copyright cmassengale

8 2 nd Level of Organization Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.Population: A group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time. copyright cmassengale

9 3 rd Level of Organization Biological Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time.Biological Community: All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time. copyright cmassengale

10 4 th Level of Organization Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area with the nonliving components of that area. (terrestrial or aquatic)Ecosystem: Populations of plants and animals that interact with each other in a given area with the nonliving components of that area. (terrestrial or aquatic) copyright cmassengale

11 5 th Level of Organization Biosphere: The portion of Earth that supports life.Biosphere: The portion of Earth that supports life. copyright cmassengale

12 Components of an Ecosystem Both living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) factors influence organisms and their ecosystems. copyright cmassengale

13 The Nonliving Environment Abiotic factors- the nonliving parts of an organism’s environment.Abiotic factors- the nonliving parts of an organism’s environment. Examples include air currents, temperature, moisture, light, and soil.Examples include air currents, temperature, moisture, light, and soil. Abiotic factors affect an organism’s life.Abiotic factors affect an organism’s life. copyright cmassengale

14 The Living Environment Biotic factors- all the living organisms that inhabit an environment.Biotic factors- all the living organisms that inhabit an environment. All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection.All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection. Biotic factors- all the living organisms that inhabit an environment.Biotic factors- all the living organisms that inhabit an environment. All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection.All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or protection. copyright cmassengale

15 Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic copyright cmassengale

16 Abiotic or Biotic? Abiotic copyright cmassengale

17 Abiotic or Biotic? Abiotic copyright cmassengale

18 Abiotic or Biotic? Biotic copyright cmassengale

19 What level of organization? Organism copyright cmassengale

20 What level of Organization? Community copyright cmassengale

21 What level of Organization? Population copyright cmassengale

22 Organisms in an Ecosystem Autotrophs -Also called producers -Photosynthetic and make carbohydrates by using energy from the sun -Most numerous organisms in an ecosystem! copyright cmassengale

23 Organisms in an Ecosystem Heterotrophs -Also called consumers -Obtain energy by eating other organisms HerbivoresCarnivoresOmnivores copyright cmassengale Detrivores Decomposers

24 Food Chains A single pathway of energy transfer is a food chain copyright cmassengale

25 Food Webs A network showing all paths of energy transfer is a food web copyright cmassengale

26 Trophic Relationships copyright cmassengale Producer Secondary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer Primary Consumer (Herbivore)

27 Rule of 10 copyright cmassengale Only 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Example: -It takes 100 kgs of plant materials (producers) to support 10 kgs of herbivores -It takes 10 kgs of herbivores to support 1 kg of 1st level predators

28copyright cmassengale Ecosystems contain only a few trophic levels because there is a low rate of energy transfer between each level. Energy Flow 1500 kJ Energy 150 kJ Energy 15 kJ Energy 1.5 kJ Energy