Ecology Sci 9 Transition Ms. Nugent Ms. Ryan

Ecology Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment and surroundings Ecology can be grouped in bigger and bigger systems.

Interactions

Nature’s Houses Individual –Single organism of specific species Population –Groups of the same species that live in the same area Community –Groups of different populations living in a defined area

Ecosystem Color in the arrows to show energy cycle

Nature’s Houses Ecosystem –Collection of all organisms living in a particular place along with non-living or physical environment: rocks, dirt Biome –Group of ecosystems with the same climate and dominant communities Biosphere: The EARTH

Ecosystem

How do we study? Observation –Ask a question: What species live here? Hypothesis…what should I look for? Experimenting –Testing the hypothesis. Information that will answer our questions Modeling –Using math to track or graph data over long periods of time.

Energy Flow

Energy Flow… Producers –SUN –Plants some algae and bacteria use the sun to create own food supply: Photosynthesis AUTOTROPHS turn inorganic (nonliving compounds) into complex living organic molecules

Nutrients and other needed molecules can also flow from one organism to the other. CO 2 is used by the microorganism to produce O 2 The fish then inhales the O 2 and produces CO 2 This is known as a cycle.

Consumers Consumers: –Use energy from producers or other consumers HETEROTROPHS –Primary: Herbivores: eat producers only –Secondary: Eat Consumers Carnivores: Consumers only Omnivores: Producers and consumers DETROVORES –Recyclers: provide nutrients for producers Termites, snails, crabs, earthworms, some bacteria –Feed on dead material

Tracking Relationships Feeding Relationships –Energy flows in ONE direction –From Eaten  Eater –Arrow show which way the energy flows Food Webs –Shows possible flow of energy in a specific ecosystem

Food Web