Donald Winslow, Zoology Animal Ecology Donald Winslow, Zoology 26 January 2011
Ecology (Ernst Haeckel) An organism’s relationship to its biotic and abiotic environment. Ecologists study factors that affect spatial distribution and abundance of organisms.
Biological hierarchy Cell Tissue Organ Organ system Organism Population Community Nine-banded armadillo
Ecological hierarchy Organism Population Community Ecosystem Landscape Biome Biosphere Agricultural corridor within forested landscape in southern Indiana.
A population American coots (Fulica americana) at Lake Thunderbird. Photo by Zac Ottis
A community Ruddy Ducks and Eared Grebes at Great Salt Plains Lake
(biotic and abiotic components interacting) An ecosystem (biotic and abiotic components interacting) Coast Live Oak forest at Camp San Luis Obispo, California
A landscape Coastal oak woodland and chaparral at Camp San Luis Obispo in California
A biome Sonoran desert near Phoenix, Arizona
Broad fields in ecology Physiological ecology Population ecology Community ecology Ecosystem ecology Landscape ecology Biogeography
Physiological ecology Energy budgets Endothermy Metabolic thermoregulation (bird or mammal) Ectothermy Behavioral thermoregulation (e.g. reptile)
Population ecology Demes and metapopulations Demographic parameters Population dynamics and regulation Role of resources Metapopulation dynamics sources & sinks
A metapopulation Sink Source
Demographic parameters Population abundance and density Age structure Sex ratio Growth rate Survivorship
Age structures of human populations in Afghanistan and Belgium From Hickman, et al. 2006. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 13th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Exponential and logistic models of population growth From Hickman, et al. 2006. Integrated Principles of Zoology, 13th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Community ecology Species interactions Species diversity Competition Niche, tolerance ranges, habitat Predation & parasitism Models & mimics Keystone species—starfish & mussels Species diversity
Ecosystem ecology Gross and net productivity Trophic levels and food webs Producers, consumers, decomposers