ECOLOGY

What is Ecology? Ecology is the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment Ecologists study these relationships

What is the Biosphere? Living things can be found in the air, on land, and in both fresh and salt water. The biosphere is the surface of the Earth that supports life. The biosphere extends from the high atmosphere to the bottom of the ocean.

What Are Abiotic Factors? The non-living parts of an organism’s environment Examples are: Air, water, sunlight, soil, humidity, temperature Why do you think ecologists study these features? How might these factors affect living things?

What Are Biotic Factors? All of the living organisms in an environment are biotic factors Living organisms affect other organisms Living things compete against one another Ecologists study how living things interact with both biotic and abiotic factors All organisms are interdependent – they can’t exist alone

Levels of Organization in Ecology “Populations”

“Communities” are collections of interacting populations Forest Community

Pond Community

Desert Community

Grassland Community

Rainforest Communities

Ecosystems An ecosystem is made up of a community interacting with its environment Three kinds of ecosystems: 1. Terrestrial: Located on land 2. Freshwater aquatic 3. Salt water aquatic

Habitat Habitat is the place where an organism lives out its life. Habitats have specific biotic and abiotic factors that an organism needs to survive and reproduce. Habitats may change or disappear due to natural causes or interference by man. What kind of habitat would a frog need?

The Niche A niche is the role and position a species has in its environment. Includes all its interactions with biotic and abiotic parts of its habitat. Species in different niches don’t compete for the same resources. Competition is reduced.

Symbiosis Relationships between organisms can be classified. Close and permanent relationship is called a symbiosis. Three main types: 1. Commensalism 2. Mutualism 3. Parasitism

Commensalism

Mutualism

Parasitism

Modes of Nutrition AUTOTROPHSHETEROTROPHS

Scavengers

Decomposers

Food Chains

Food Webs

Food Pyramid

Pyramid of Energy

Pyramid of Biomass