ECOLOGY The Study of the Interaction of organisms with their environment

The Environment Biotic Factors all of the living things in the environment Abiotic Factors all of the nonliving things in the environment

Community All of the living things in an area that DEPEND on each other

Relationships in a Community -1 Symbiosis = “Living Together” –Close relationship between two or more species –Examples Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Mutualism Both species benefit from the relationship WIN – WIN EX: acacia tree and ants.

Commensalism One species benefits from the relationship and the other is unaffected. WIN – “I don’t care” EX: Orchid

Parasitism One species benefits (parasite) and the other is harmed (host) WIN – LOSE EX: Tick Parasite does not want to kill the host. Why?

Relationships in a Community - 2 Predation - The feeding of one organisms on another –Predator hunts/eats –Prey gets eaten

Habitat The Place where an organism lives

Niche The JOB of an organism in a community

Niches in a Community PRODUCER CONSUMER DECOMPOSER

Producer (Autotroph) Plants make food in a community Photosynthesis –using sunlight to make food

Consumer (Heterotroph) Can’t make their own food Primary Consumer  Eats plants Secondary Consumer  Eats other animals

Decomposers Are consumers Get food by breaking down dead matter Recycle nutrients Examples –Fungi (molds, mushrooms) –Bacteria

Energy The ability to do work Flows through an ecosystem What is the primary source of energy in an ecosystem? The Sun

Food Chain Pathway of energy through an ecosystem Sun Grass Producer Grasshopper Primary Consumer Bird Secondary Consumer

Food Web Food chains connected in a community All of the possible feeding relationships

Food Web

Energy Pyramid PRODUCER PRIMARY CONSUMER SECONDARY CONSUMER TERTIARY CONSUMER

Energy Pyramid Shows energy loss in a food chain –90% lost as heat # of organisms at each level decreases –Less energy available Because of energy loss, maximum of 5 levels.