What is Ecology?
Origin of the word…”ecology” Greek origin OIKOS = household LOGOS = study of… Study of the “house/environment” in which we live.
Ecology is study of interactions between non-living components in the environment… light water wind nutrients in soil heat solar radiation atmosphere, etc. AND…
Living organisms… Plants Animals microorganisms in soil, etc.
To study Ecology involves… For non-living (abiotic) Climatology Hydrology Oceanography Physics Chemistry Geology soil analysis, etc. For living (biotic) animal behavior Taxonomy Physiology mathematics (population studies) etc.
Ecology… views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit. caribou tundra
The interdependent parts are…
nutrients in the soil and water. Producers Nonliving dead organic matter nutrients in the soil and water. Producers green plants Tundra
Consumers Decomposers herbivores and carnivores fungi and bacteria Tundra Caribou
ECOLOGY: Levels of Organization - a hierarchy of organization in the environment
Levels of organization - Terms Biosphere Surface of the earth Composed of many ecosystems Ecosystem Large or small as we decide Backyard, O’Melveney Park, Hedge along Room 110, etc.
Levels of organization - Terms Population – one species live in one place at one time Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area.
Levels of organization - Terms Habitat – physical location of community Organism – simplest level of organization
Very complex Can contain 100’s to 1000’s of interacting species.
Ecology is an integrated and dynamic study of the environment. THEN… Ecology is an integrated and dynamic study of the environment.
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