1. Introduction to Ecology
What is Ecology?

2. Introduction to Ecology
Ecology is……
The study of interactions…
between living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) components….
in ecosystems!

3. Introduction to Ecology
Some definitions:
FOOD CHAIN:
A diagram showing the movement of energy between biotic factors in an ecosystem.

4. Introduction to Ecology
Some examples of FOOD CHAINS:

5. Introduction to Ecology
PRODUCER:
An organism that makes it’s own food from sunlight or heat (usually a plant)

6. Introduction to Ecology
CONSUMER:
An organism that must consume other organisms for energy (all animals are consumers)

7. Introduction to Ecology
HERBIVORE:
An organism that consumes only plants for food (deer, mice, grasshopper, gorilla)

8. Introduction to Ecology
CARNIVORE:
An organism that consumes only other animals for food (cats, owls, sharks, polar bear)

9. Introduction to Ecology
DECOMPOSER:
An organism that consumes only dead organisms for food (bacteria, worms, fungus, vultures)

10. Introduction to Ecology
NUTRIENT:
A material that an organism needs to grow and reproduce. Good examples are vitamins and minerals.

11. Introduction to Ecology
OMNIVORE:
An organism that can eat either plants or animals for energy (humans, raccoons, black bears, chimpanzees)

12. Introduction to Ecology
HABITAT:
The area in which an organism lives, including the space, water and food available, vegetation and soil types

13. Use the definitions from your worksheet to label the following ecosystem:
abiotic
carnivore
biotic
omnivore
HABITAT
producer
herbivore
abiotic
producer
consumer