1. ECOLOGICAL STUDIES

2. Ecology is the study of how living organisms relate with one another and their non-living surroundings. Ecology is important in predicting, preventing and remedying environmental changes. NB. Ecology is important in forestry, fishery and agricultural applications.

4. DEFINITIONS Habitat Herbivore Carnivore Producer Consumer Community Population Species Biosphere Atmosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Ecosphere Predator Prey Decomposer/Sapprophyte Dentritivores Ecosystem Biome Ecological niche Potential/fundamental niche Realized niche

6. APPROACHES TO ECOLOGICAL STUDY

7. Habitat Environs of a particular species, population or community; Terrestrial or aquatic

8. Habitat

9. Ecosystem All the biotic and abiotic in a vast designated area.

10. Ecosystem

11. Biome A large, specific ecosystem, recognized by its characteristic climate, flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Aquatic Desert Forest Grasslands Tundra

12. Biome

13. Species A group of closely-related organisms capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring. E.g. horse + horse = horse (fertile) E.g. horse + donkey = mule (infertile) E.g. monkey + gorilla = N/A

14. Population Collection of individuals from same species inhabiting the same area.

15. Community Collection of different populations inhabiting the same area.

16. Decomposer/ Sapprophytes Bacteria and fungi that secrete substances onto dead organisms and waste in order to feed on them by absorption.

17. Decomposer/ Sapprophytes

18. Detritivores Organisms (e.g. earthworms) that feed on small fragments of decomposing or dead materials (detritus).

19. Detritivores

20. Biosphere The set of interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the ecosphere.

21. Atmosphere A mixture of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and traces (remaining 1%) of carbon dioxide, argon, water vapor and other components. Approximately 1,100 km high.

22. Hydrosphere The accumulation of water in all its states (solid, liquid and gas) and the elements dissolved it in (sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride and sulphate). 97% (oceans), 2% is ice (north and south poles) and 1% forms rivers, lakes, ground water and atmospheric vapor. Covers around 71% of the earth's surface.

23. Lithosphere The lithosphere is the thin crust between the mantle and the atmosphere. Around 100 km thick.

24. Ecosphere The set of all living organisms, including animals and vegetation.

27. Ecological Niche Location and role or an organism in the ecosystem or community.

28. Ecological niche

29. Potential /Fundamental niche Full range of biotic and abiotic conditions under which an organism can exist.

30. Potential /Fundamental niche

31. Realized niche More restricted, narrower range of conditions for which an organism is best adapted.

32. Realized niche

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