Ecology Ecology is the study of the interaction between an organism and its environment. These interactions are influenced by biotic (living) and the abiotic (non-living) components present. There are many subfields that describe every possible interaction between communities and their environments. An ecosystem refers to all of the abiotic features, the organisms that live there, and the energy flow in that system. The sum of all the ecosystems is the biosphere.

Subfields of Ecology Organismal ecology… concerned with how biotic and abiotic factors in an area lead to changes within a species Population ecology… how organisms in a population interact Community ecology… how different populations of species in an area interact Ecosystem ecology… concerned with energy flow in a specific area Landscape ecology… concerned with how different ecosystems blend

Dispersion of Species Dispersion and distribution of species in a suitable ecosystem are related to the following factors: Natural Influences: access to habitat (geographical barriers) behaviors that limit habitat selection (nocturnal species not living in open spaces during daylight) biotic factors (predation, parasitism, competition, & disease) chemical factors (water, O2, soil quality, ...) physical factors (temp, light, moisture, fire, soil type...)

Dispersion of Species Non-natural Influences: intentional or non-intentional transplants global warming changing water patterns (dams, diverting irrigation)

Dispersion of Species Climate influences: the amount of insolation (sunlight), precipitation, & wind in an area over 30yrs macroclimate global influenced by wind and precipitation patterns as air masses move across the land and oceans microclimate influenced by proximity to bodies of water and mountains coastal areas have a milder climate change and are called Mediterranean (cooler hot season and warmer cold season) mountains create colder and dryer regions in higher elevations and rain-shadow deserts in the leeward areas long term climate change can be predicted by looking at our current climate and comparing it to the ice record

Biomes Aquatic Lake Wetlands Streams & Rivers Estuaries Intertidal Zones Oceanic Pelagic Zones Coral Reefs Marine Benthic Zones

Biomes Terrestrial Tropical Desert Savana Chaparral Temperate Grassland Coniferous Forest Temperate Broadleaf Forest Tundra

Effects of global warming