1. #1 Introducing Ecology

2. 1. What is Ecology
A. Ecology is the study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment (soil, water, climate, etc.)
B. The place where a particular population of a species lives is called a habitat
i. why is a habitat important in ecology?

3. Why is habitat important in ecology?
Habitat changes the amount and kinds of resources available to survive.
Therefore, it can greatly affect how organisms relate to each other for basic necessities like Food, Water, and available shelter.
What other ways can you think of?
YES, BRAINSTORM SOME IDEAS!!

4. 2. What is a community?
A. A community is the many different species that live together in a habitat.
Example: all of the fish, snails, plants, algae, etc. in a fish tank

5. 3. What is an ecosystem?
A. An ecosystem consists of a community and all the physical aspects of its habitat such as water, soil, and weather
B. The physical aspects of the habitat are called abiotic factors
i. Example: Temperature, Soil Composition, Altitude
C. The organisms in the environment are called biotic factors
Example: The plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi in an ecosystem

6. Populations 4. Are affected by many things:
Abundant food, water, shelter means an increase in population
Floods, Famine, and other climate changes limit resources and cause a population decline (Limiting Factor)
Influx of predators decreases populations
Disease
5. Over time, populations tend to stabilize at their carrying capacity (the largest population an ecosystem can sustain.)

7. Carrying Capacity

8. 7. Survival A. Some populations will alter their behavior to survive:
i. Fight or flight response
1. Run from danger
2. Fight to protect self, family, herd, etc.
ii. Form territories and social structures
iii. Work together: Mutualism, commensalism, parasitsm

9. 7. Survival Mutualism: Both parties benefit from each other’s help
i. Examples: Clownfish and Sea Anemone Lichens, Plant pollination

10. Survival
Commensalism: One party benefits, the other party is not affected by the other’s actions.
i. Examples: Cattle egrets and livestock, Barnacles on a whale

11. 7. Survival C. Parasitism: One party benefits, the other is harmed
Examples: Brood Parasitism in birds, fleas, malaria