INTRO TO ECOLOGY pp. 359-365
Ecology Defined Ecology means "study of homes" study the relationships of animals, plants, and their environment (interdependence) A small change can affect the whole ecosystem
Levels of Organization
Biosphere Earth and its atmosphere that supports life Ecosystem/Biome (kelp forest) The community and its physical aspects (pH, temp) Community (urchins, kelp, otters, sunflower star, etc) all organisms Population (all the sea urchins) members of one species in one place Organism (one sea urchin)
Ecology of Organisms Response to biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors
conformers vs regulators acclimation: adjust tolerance
dormancy vs migration
Niche/Habitat Limited resources can result in competition
Niche - the job of an organism (usually based on what they eat) 1. Generalist: broad niche 2. Specialist: narrow niche and more at risk from habitat destruction than generalists
Habitat 1. The geographic location Organisms having the same niche or overlapping habitats can result in competition