Ecology Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their physical and biotic environment. O2 Nutrients CO2

Light intensity varies Ecosystems Light intensity varies Flow rate varies Rainfall level varies An ecosystem includes: all of the organisms (the community) and their physical environment. There are many different sorts of ecosystems from natural to artificial, and they range in size from large to small. Fast flowing water habitat Still water habitat Rock habitat Stream bank habitat

Climate and Vegetation The type and extent of vegetation in a particular ecosystem is determined by physical factors on both a large scale and on a very localized (microclimate) level. Vegetation patterns are governed largely by climate (which is broadly related to latitude) and altitude. High latitude climate Temperate climate

The New Zealand Environment The type and extent of vegetation in New Zealand is determined by physical factors on both a large scale (from north to south and east to west) and on a local (microclimate) level. The distribution patterns of primary vegetation types in NZ can be related to changes in both climate and altitude.

What is a habitat? What is an environment?

Habitat versus environment A habitat is the natural place where an organism usually resides. The environment of a species includes all the conditions or factors experienced in its habitat.

Example: Tui Habitat: throughout New Zealand, particularly the North Island, west and south coasts of the South Island, Stewart and Chatham Islands. Tui prefer broadleaf forests but will tolerate quite small exotic plantations and well-vegetated suburbs.

Environmental factors affecting the Tui

What are the environmental factors that could affect a plant?

Environmental factors are divided into two groups… (Notes from Pathfinder book, p. 10)