1. Ecology

2. What is Ecology?
Defined: Studying how life interacts within the biosphere is called Ecology
All life interacts within the biosphere
Area within the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains

3. Populations Defined: Group of one species living in the same area
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Defined: Group of one species living in the same area
Population changes based on:
Births, Deaths, Immigration, Emigration, Available resources

4. School of
Fish

5. Herd of
Buffalo

6. Litter of
Cats

7. Flock of
Birds

8. Troop of
Monkeys

9. Pod of
Whales

10. Gaggle of
Geese

11. Smack of
Jellyfish

12. Murder of
Crows

13. Population Patterns Populations go through 3 stages:
Slow growth
Population is slowly adapting to particular environment
2) Exponential growth
High birth rates due to abundant resources
3) Carry capacity
Defined: greatest number of individuals that the environment can sustain
Birth & death rates eventually balance
What stage is the human population in?

14. What happens once we reach Carrying Capacity?
Some populations stabilize for the long term
Some populations experience a sharp decline called a “crash”
Which will humans experience?

15. Communities
Defined: Populations of many species living in the same area at the same time
Each organism has it own HABITAT
Habitat: Place where an organism lives
Each species has its own NICHE
Niche: The role/needs of a species
Ex: Termites return nutrients to the soil

16. Ecosystems
Defined: Communities of species interacting with the living & non-living
Biotic (living) Factors:
Animals: Mice, Reptiles, Insects
Plants: Cactus, Flowers, Shrubs
Abiotic (non-living) Factors:
Sand, rocks, sunlight, climate, soil, water, etc…
Ecosystem changes affect biodiversity
Keystone species greatly alter ecosystems

19. What is a Biome?
Defined: Large area with distinct climate, plant, and animal life
Climate factors: sun, rain, topography
Climate determines life

20. The Biosphere
Defined: All organisms and the part of the Earth where life exists
Biosphere changes can affect life
Ex: More CO2 in the atmosphere… causes warmer temps

21. Review 1) What is ecology?
2) What are two reasons that populations will increase?
3) What are two reasons that populations will decrease?
4) What are factors that control population growth called?
5) How does a population, community, ecosystem, biome, and biosphere differ?
6) What is a keystone species?
7) Place the levels of ecology in order from smallest to largest.
Ecosystem, Population, Biosphere, Community, Biome