Ecology Chapter 3

Ecology The study of the relationship between organisms and their environments.

5 Levels Studied in Ecology Organisms Populations Communities Ecosystems Biosphere Old People Can’t Eat Beans!

Population A group of 1 species that interbreed and live in the same place.

Ecosystem Groups of many species coexisting in an environment.

Biosphere All of the earth’s organisms and their environments.

Biotic Living parts.

Abiotic Non-living parts. Examples: –Soil –Air –Temperature –Water –Sun

Habitat Where an organism lives its life.

Niche The role a species plays in a community. –What it eats. –What it does.

4 Tropic Levels 1.Producer- plants 2.1 st order Consumer- eats plants 3.2 nd order Consumer- eats 1 st order consumers 4.3 rd order Consumer- eats 2 nd order consumers

Food Chain A simple show of energy transfer.

Food Web A complex show of energy transfer. (most organisms feed at more than one trophic level!)

3 Types of Symbiosis Mutualism + + Commensalism  + o Parasitism  + – Look! I found Nemo!!!

Here are some examples of Symbiosis…Can you tell what they are? Mutualism + + Commensalism  + o Parasitism  + –

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed Example 1: Acacia plant with ant galls Ants lay eggs on acacia tree Acacia covers the infected area with brown flesh (gall)

Mutualism: both benefit Example 2: Moray Eel with Cleaner Fish Moray Eel gets a clean mouth Cleaner Fish gets a meal

Commensalism: one benefits, one is unaffected Example 3: Cattle with cattle egrets Cattle stir up insects as they eat grass Egrets hang around and eat insects

Mutualism: both benefit Example 4: Clown fish with anemone Clown fish gets protection Anemone gets food scraps

Mutualism: both benefit Example 5: Antelope with Oxbird Antelope gets rid of parasites Oxbird gets a meal

Parasitism: one benefits, one is harmed Example 6: Taenia worm in human eye Worm infects human blood stream Human may go blind

Any questions before we go on? Our beautiful planet at night.

Vocabulary Producers –Lowest in the food chain. –Most abundant! –Gets energy from the SUN!!! Consumers –ANY living thing that eats other living things.

Vocabulary Decomposers –Feeds on ALL other organisms. –Breaks down dead organisms. Predators –Preys on other living things. Scavengers –Gets food from waste products. –Also from already dead organisms. –(Doesn’t actually kill.)

The end.