Introduction to Ecology What is Ecology?

Introduction to Ecology Ecology is…… The study of interactions… between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components…. in ecosystems!

Introduction to Ecology Some definitions: FOOD CHAIN: A diagram showing the movement of energy between biotic factors in an ecosystem. Shows what eats what.

Introduction to Ecology Some examples of FOOD CHAINS:

Introduction to Ecology Food Web Connections between multiple food chains Forms a complicated web Shows what eats what

Introduction to Ecology PRODUCER: An organism that makes it’s own food from sunlight or heat (usually a plant)

Introduction to Ecology CONSUMER: An organism that must consume other organisms for energy (all animals are consumers)

Introduction to Ecology HERBIVORE: An organism that consumes only plants for food (deer, mice, grasshopper, gorilla)

Introduction to Ecology CARNIVORE: An organism that consumes only other animals for food (cats, owls, sharks, polar bear)

Introduction to Ecology DECOMPOSER: An organism that consumes only dead organisms for food (bacteria, worms, fungus, vultures)

Introduction to Ecology NUTRIENT: A material that an organism needs to grow and reproduce. Good examples are vitamins and minerals.

Introduction to Ecology OMNIVORE: An organism that can eat either plants or animals for energy (humans, raccoons, black bears, chimpanzees)

Introduction to Ecology HABITAT: The area in which an organism lives, including the space, water and food available, vegetation and soil types

Ecosystem An ecosystem is the interaction and dependence of living things and non-living things within a given area Contains many food webs

Trophic Levels 4th Trophic Level- Top Carnivores Or Apex Predators 3rd Trophic Level- Primary Carnivores 2nd Trophic Level- Primary Consumers Usually Herbivores or Omnivores 1st Trophic Level- Producers We place all of the organisms into trophic levels (or feeding levels)

Let’s use the definitions from your worksheet to label the following ecosystem:

Let’s use the definitions from your worksheet to label the following ecosystem: abiotic carnivore biotic omnivore Ecosystem producer herbivore abiotic producer consumer *the arrows represent a food chain