Introduction to Ecology

What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment.

Why do we study Ecology? By understanding the relationships in the ecosystems, we can: Help struggling populations rebound. Prevent species from dying out. Understand how we (humans) impact the environment.

An Organisms Environment Abiotic Factors: all the non-living things that make up an organism’s environment Includes physical factors such as: Water, soil, light, and temperature Biotic Factors: all the living things that make up an organism’s environment Includes living factors such as: Plants and animals

Organization in the Environment There are a lot of factors which make up an organisms environment. To avoid confusion; Ecologists organize the environment with different levels

1) Organism- any living thing (1 individual) 2) Population- group of organisms of the same species in an area 3) Community- made up of all the populations of different species 4) Ecosystem- made up of a community of organisms and its abiotic factors 5) Biosphere- part of the Earth where life exists

Organization in the Environment Common Mistakes!!!! Population vs. Community Population consists of all the organisms of the SAME species in a given area Community is all the members of DIFFERENT species in a given area

Living Things Need Energy Producers- organisms that gets energy by making its own food Consumer- organism that needs to get its energy from another source

Living Things Need Energy Decomposers- organism that gets energy by breaking down the remains of dead organisms. “Natures recyclers” Ex: mushrooms, bacteria

Energy Pyramid Decrease number of organisms Decrease amount of energy Increase number of organisms Increase amount of energy Tertiary Consumers Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers Producers

Types of Consumers There are several kinds of consumers: Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivores, and Scavengers Herbivores- organism that eats plants only ex: grasshopper, prairie dogs, deer Carnivore- organism that eats meat only ex: coyotes, hawks, owls

Types of Consumers Omnivore- organism that eats both plants and meat ex: mouse, human Scavenger- organism that feeds on the body of dead animals ex: turkey vulture

Food Chains Food Chains- diagram which represents how the energy is moved from one organisms to the next. Usually 3 – 5 organisms long

FOOD WEBS ARE A BETTER REPRESENTATION!!!

Food Webs Food Webs- shows all the possible pathways of energy in an ecosystem Consists of two or more food chains

Remember the  (arrows) represent the flow and direction of ENERGY