ORGANISM ECOLOGY Range vs Territory Tophic level Niche concept

TERRITORY – area where an organism gets its basic needs (food, water, shelter) The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is a solitary animal and may aggressively defend its territory (mostly woodland near bodies of water). wwf.org.ph

RANGE – territory plus possibility of finding a mate (insures survival of the species) The Philippine Civet Cat (Paradoxus hermaphroditus philippensis) is a nimble tree climber and is also a fast runner. Hence, it may range dozens of km from its nest in one night to search for food and potential mates. upload.wikimedia.org

TROPHIC LEVEL – describes an organism’s strategy for obtaining nutrition The Rafflesia leonardi is a parasitic plant. It has no true leaves and cannot photosynthesize. Instead, it spreads its absortive organ, the haustorium, inside the tissue of its living host (usually vines). The only visible part of the plant is its flower which smells like rotting flesh. Julie Barcelona

Review the following diagram and the key words at right upload.wikimedia.org Apex predator Autotroph Chemoautotroph Detritivore Ectoparasite Endoparasite Facultative Heterotroph Obligate Parasite Photoautotroph Predator, prey Scavenger

NICHE – the functional role of an organism in an ecosystem The Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus) is one fo the largest bats in the world. It is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as endangered mainly because of hunting and habitat destruction. The species is a fruit bat which means it plays a valuable role in seed dispersal of forest trees. It’s also a vital link to the phosphorus cycle since bat guano is a highly concentrated source of phospates. Dave Irving 2.bp.blogspot.com

SOURCES OF IMAGES jubatus.png