Ecology

Ecology Ecology is the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment. An organism is any living thing Examples: Humans, animals, plant, bacteria

Organism An organism is any living thing that can carry out all of the basic life activities.

Population Population is a group of individuals of the same species that live together in the same area.

Population + Population COMMUNITY

Living things in an ecosystem are called a… COMMUNITY

Community Community Is composed of all of the populations of different organisms living together in a given are such as your lawn (contains grass, insects, and worms)

Community

Name the three members in every community. Producers Consumers Decomposers

Producers and consumers Green plants provide the entire input of energy to an ecosystem and are called producers. When animals (herbivores) eat plants, the carbohydrates stored in plants are converted back into glucose. The glucose is broken down during respiration to provide the animal’s energy requirements. Similarly, when carnivores eat other animals, this chemical energy is passed on.

Producers and Consumers

Decomposers Organisms that use the organic matter of dead plants and animals are called decomposers. They release digestive enzymes to break down organic matter and then absorb the products of digestion. Decomposers include fungi and bacteria.

Bacteria attacking a cell Decomposers worms Fungus/mushrooms bacteria Bacteria attacking a cell

Living things + Nonliving things ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem The Ecosystem Is a self supporting area composed of living and nonliving things such as the Rain Forest or the Desert It produces energy, transfers energy, decomposes, and recycles It made up of two (2) types of factors: Biotic and Abiotic

Biotic Biotic Factors The living parts of the environment such as plants, bacteria, and animals

Abiotic Abiotic Factors are non living parts of the environment such as rocks, the sun, and temperature

All energy in a food web comes from the… SUN

Uses of energy by organisms Living organisms need a constant supply of energy to maintain cellular activities and stay alive. In ecosystems the initial source of energy is light from the sun. This is used by plants during photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates. Organisms (i.e. plants) that can manufacture their own food from inorganic materials are called autotrophs.

Food chains and webs Food chains show the flow of energy through ecosystems. FIRST ORDER CONSUMER SECOND ORDER CONSUMER PRODUCER wallaby dingo grass

Food webs The interrelationship between many food chains is called a

Adaptations All organisms have adaptations that help them to survive. Organisms that are adapted to their environment are able to: obtain air, water, food and nutrients cope with physical conditions such as temperature, light and heat defend themselves from their natural enemies reproduce respond to changes around them

Adaptations

What makes ecosystems different? Amount of water 1 Amount of sunlight 2 3 Type of soil

What causes ecosystems to change? Natural causes: 1 Drought Disease 2 3 Fire 4 Overpopulation

What causes ecosystems to change? Changes caused by humans: 1 Water pollution 2 Air pollution 3 Land pollution 4 Construction

How can humans help to prevent changes in ecosystems? 1 Use resources wisely 2 Laws that control pollution 3 Clean up litter 4 Keep rivers and lakes clean