Ecology M. Saadatian An Introduction To Ecology 1

An Introduction To Ecology

Ecology – study of interactions between organisms and environment. Consists of abiotic (nonliving; i.e. temperature, light, etc) and biotic (living) factors.

Population – group of individuals of same species living in an area. Community – all organisms of all species that live in an area. Ecosystem – above plus abiotic factors. Biosphere – sum of all ecosystems.

Organism Population Community Biosphere Ecosystem

POPULATION a group of organisms of one species living in the same place at the same time that interbreed Produce fertile offspring Compete with each other for resources (food, mates, shelter, etc.)

Community - several interacting populations that inhabit a common environment and are interdependent.

Ecosystem - populations in a community and the abiotic factors with which they interact (ex. marine, terrestrial)

Biosphere - life supporting portions of Earth composed of air, land, fresh water, and salt water. The highest level of organization

Distribution affected by temperature, water, sunlight, wind, and rocks and soil. Type of each will determine what can live there.

Biosphere: 1.Atmosphere 2. Lithosphere 3. Hydrosphere

Ecology= Organism Environment Parts of ecology: 1.Plant ecology: study of interaction between plants and environment 2.Animal ecology: study of interaction between animals and environment 3. human ecology: study of interaction between human and environments Study of number organism: 1.Autecology: individual ecology 2. synecology: community ecology

Ecosystem All of organism with environments that interaction together Type of ecosystem: 1.Open: attend to stabilize and balance 2.Close: use in labs A B C output input Open system A B C close system

Parts of ecosystems Ecosystem: 1.Abiotic (soil,water,air…) 2.Biotic (biocenose) Biotic Autotroph Hetrotroph micro consumer macro consumer Herbivores Carnivores Omnivores

Classification of ecosystems by ambit 1.Micro-ecosystem (aquarium) 2. Meso-ecosystem (jungle) 3. Macro-ecosystem (ocean or sea)