Ecology

What is Ecology? Defined: Studying how life interacts within the biosphere is called Ecology All life interacts within the biosphere Area within the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains

An organism is an individual living thing, such as an alligator.

A population is a group of the same species that lives in one area. Organism

Populations Population changes based on: Click on information box Population changes based on: Births, Deaths, Immigration, Emigration, Available resources

School of Fish

Herd of Buffalo

Litter of Cats

Flock of Birds

Troop of Monkeys

Pod of Whales

Gaggle of Geese

Murder of Crows

Limiting Factors Birth & death rates eventually balance Factors: Disease, food, predators, climate, space, mates Populations become stable Carrying Capacity: greatest number of individuals that a population can sustain What stage is the human population in?

Human Population: Fast Growth Stage How have humans extended our carrying capacity? Farming Medical innovations Clean water Public assistance

Rapid Future Population Increase Typical Reproductive years

Slow Future Population Increase Typical Reproductive years

Stable Population Typical Reproductive years

Which shows a declining population? Typical Reproductive years Typical Reproductive years

A community is a group of different species that live together in one area. Population Organism

Communities Each organism has it own HABITAT Habitat: Place where an organism lives Each species has its own NICHE Niche: The role/needs of a species Ex: Termites return nutrients to the soil

Desert Communities have many species

An ecosystem includes all of the organisms as well as the climate, soil, water, rocks and other nonliving things in a given area. Ecosystem Community Population Organism

Factors of Ecosystems Biotic Factors: Bio = Life Defined: Living factors of an environment Ex: Predators/prey Abiotic Factors A = without Bio = Life Defined: Nonliving factors of an environment Ex: Soil, Climate, temps, water, wind

Ecosystem changes affect biodiversity Keystone species greatly alter ecosystems

(biotic + abiotic factors) Desert Ecosystems (biotic + abiotic factors)

A biome is a major regional or global community of organisms characterized by the climate conditions and plant communities that thrive there. Biome Ecosystem Community Population Organism

More on biomes… Climate factors: sun, rain, topography Climate determines life