How do organisms interact with each other and their environment? Intro to Ecology How do organisms interact with each other and their environment?

Ecology The study of the interactions of organisms and their environment

Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors Bio = life tic = pertaining to. A = not/without, bio = life

Levels of Biological Organization

Organism a single individual of one particular species

Population A group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in the same area.

Community A collection of populations of different species that interact with one another.

Ecosystem Interactions of a community and its abiotic factors

Biome  large community of plants and animals that occupies a distinct region. 

Biosphere The portion of the Earth that supports life.

Niche vs. Habitat Cape May Warbler Feeds at the tips of branches Bay-Breasted Warbler Feeds in the middle part of the tree Yellow-Rumped Warbler Feeds in the lower part of the tree and at the bases of the middle branches Cape May Warbler Feeds at the tips of branches near the top of the tree Spruce tree

Habitat The place where the organism lives.

Niche The role a species plays in a community. Includes -

NOTE: Several species may share a habitat, but the food, shelter, and resources of that habitat are divided into separate niches.

Interactions between Organisms Aka relationships

Autotroph vs Heterotroph Auto = self Also called Producers Hetero = other Also called consumers

5 Types of Heterotrophs

Herbivores Plant-eaters

Carnivores Eat heterotrophs

Scavengers Eat dead organisms

Omnivores omni = all

Decomposers Detritivore Decomposer:Fungi, Bacteria Detritivore: worms, maggots

Competition Organisms of the same or different species attempt to use an abiotic or biotic resource in the same ecosystem.

Predation An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism.

Symbiosis A relationship where two species live closely together 3 types

1) Mutualism Both species benefit +/+

2) Commensalism One species benefits and the other is not harmed or benefited. +/0

3) Parasitism One species benefits and the other is harmed. +/-

Symbiosis: Parasitism

Energy in Ecosystems

Energy Flow Energy flows thru an ecosystem in one direction: sun autotroph heterotroph

Food Chain Shows one way flow of energy

Trophic Level A feeding step in a food chain that represents each organism.

4 3 2 1

Ecological pyramids Diagram that shows the relative amounts of energy or matter contained within each trophic level in a food chain or food web. 3 types

Energy Pyramid Pyramid of Energy Heat 0.1% Consumers 1% Consumers 10% Consumers 100% Producers Parasites, scavengers, and decomposers feed at each level. 10% Rule - Only about 10% of energy available within one trophic level is transferred to organisms at the next trophic level The rest is lost as heat

Pyramid of numbers Based on the number of individual organisms at each trophic level Pyramid of Numbers Fox (1) Birds (25) Grasshoppers (250) Grasses (3000)

Biomass Pyramid The total amount of living tissue within a given trophic level is called biomass. A pyramid of biomass represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level in an ecosystem.

Biomass Pyramid

NOTE: Matter is constantly being recycled. Energy is constantly being transformed and replenished. A balance of everything going on in an ecosystem is called HOMEOSTASIS.