Ecology

Levels of Ecology Organismal Population Community Ecosystem Landscape Global

Biomes Terrestrial Aquatic Freshwater Tropical forest Wetlands Savanna Estuaries Marine Tropical forest Savanna Desert Polar Chaparral Temperate grasslands Temperate deciduous forest Coniferous forest Tundra

Interactions with organisms and the environment Biotic Predators Prey Competition Disease Symbiosis Abiotic Temperature H2O & O2 Salinity Sunlight Rocks &soil

Population Ecology Density Dispersion

Demographics Life Table

Demographics Survivorship curves

Demographics Reproductive rates

Population Growth

Life History Strategies K-Selection Density dependent Maximize population size Near carrying capacity Strong competition R-Selection Density Independent Maximize per capita rate of increase Below carrying capacity Little competition

Factors Affecting Population Growth Density Dependent Death rate rises as population increases in size Density Independent Birth or death rate does not change with population size

Human Growth Age structure diagrams

Community Ecology Interactions Competition Interspecific competition Competitive exclusion Ecological niche Resource partitioning Character displacement

Community Ecology Interactions Predation Adaptations Crytic coloration Aposematic coloration Batesian mimicry Mullerian mimicry

Community Ecology Interactions Facilitation Herbivory Symbiosis Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism Facilitation

Trophic Structure Food Chains Food Webs

Large Impact Species Dominant Species Highest abundance or biomass Removal can have small effect on community Keystone Species Strong ecological roles or niches Removal has dramatic affect on community

Control of Community Bottom-Up Model Nutrients Plants Herbivores Predators Top-Down Model Predators Herbivores Plants Nutrients

Disturbance and Community Structure Non-equilibrium Model Types of disturbances Intermediate disturbance hypothesis Ecological succesion Primary Secondary Human Impact Pathogens

Energy Law of Conservation of Energy Trophic Levels Producers Primary consumers Secondary consumers Tertiary consumers Detrivores

Primary Production Energy budgets Gross primary productivity Net primary productivity NPP = GPP – Ra (autotrophic respiration) Net ecosystem production NEP = GPP – Rr (total respiration of all organisms)

Primary Production Aquatic ecosystems Light limits Nutrient limits Terrestrial ecosystems Adaptations

Energy Transfers Secondary Production Production efficiency Trophic efficiency

Biogeochemical Cycles

Restoration Bioremediation Biological Augmentation

Levels of Biodiversity Genetic diversity Species diversity Ecosystem diversity

Conservation Benefits Threats Habitat loss Introduced species Overharvesting Global change

Humans and the Changing Earth Nutrient Enrichment Toxins in the Environment Greenhouse gases & global warming Ozone Depletion