What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of living things and their interactions with the environment Ecology is the study of living things and their interactions with the environment Examples: 1.Studying clownfish and how they interact with coral and anemones in a coral reef 2.Studying seagulls and their migratory patterns, based on weather 3.Studying cacti and their ability to store water in hot, dry climates 4.Studying frogs and fish that live in a pond, and the animals in the woods that eat them

Ecologist – a scientist who studies living things and their interactions with the environment Ecologist – a scientist who studies living things and their interactions with the environment Now That you’ve studied earthworms, and their environment, you are an Ecologist!!!!

Is there another name to describe any living thing? An Organism is any living thing An Organism is any living thing Recall that all living things: Recall that all living things: Have one or many cells (with DNA) Have one or many cells (with DNA) Can grow and change Can grow and change Take in and use Energy Take in and use Energy Produce wastes Produce wastes Respond to their environment Respond to their environment Can reproduce Can reproduce Have a life span Have a life span

Ecosystem – all the living and non-living things that interact in a particular area Examples: Rainforest, Grassland, Coral Reef, Desert Living things: birds, fish, lobster Non-living things: water, oxygen, sand, sunlight

Biotic factors – the living parts of an ecosystem Plants Plants –Moss, grass, shrubs, cacti, trees, seaweed Animals Animals –Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, starfish, clams, crustaceans Fungi Fungi –Mushrooms, yeast, mold Microscopic organisms Microscopic organisms –Bacteria, germs Abiotic Factors – the non-living parts of an ecosystem Water Water –Rain –Snow –Sleet –ice Air Air –Oxygen –Carbon dioxide Sunlight Sunlight Rocks and minerals Rocks and minerals Dirt and soil Dirt and soil Sand Sand

Ecosystems provide habitats for organisms Habitat – a place where an organism lives that provides all of its needs Habitat – a place where an organism lives that provides all of its needs –Food –Shelter –Proper temperature –Proper amount of moisture Examples: Examples: –A dying tree with holes that animals live in –A freshwater stream where mussels grow

Brain Pop on Ecosystems: Brain Pop on Ecosystems: