1. What is ecology? Ecology: study of interactions between
organisms and their environment
Ecoloy - definition

2. Ecological research
Most ecologists use both qualitative and quantitative research.
They obtain qualitative information by observing organisms.
Ecological Research

3. Ecological research
They obtain quantitative data by making measurements and carrying out controlled experiments in the field and in the laboratory.
Ecological Research

4. The nonliving environment: Abiotic factors
Abiotic factors: Non-living parts of the
environment
Examples: wind, temperature, moisture,
light, and soil.
Abiotic factors

5. The nonliving environment: Abiotic factors
Ecology includes the study of features of the environment that are not living because these features are part of an organism’s life.
Abiotic factors have obvious effects on living things and often determine which species survive in a particular environment.
Abiotic factors

6. The living environment: Biotic factors
A key consideration of ecology is that living organisms affect other living organisms.
Biotic factors: Living organisms in an
environment
Examples: plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria
Biotic factors

7. Biotic and abiotic factors form ecosystems
Ecosystem: interacting populations in a biological community and the community’s abiotic factors.
There are two major kinds of ecosystems—
terrestrial ecosystems
aquatic ecosystems.
Ecosytems

8. Ecosystem
Ecosystem

9. Other Sites for Ecosystems Terrestrial Ecosystems
Biotic and abiotic factors form ecosystems
Table 2.1 Examples of Ecosystems
Aquatic Ecosystems
Other Sites for Ecosystems
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Forest
Old farm field
Meadow
Yard
Garden plot
Empty lot
Compost heap
Volcano site
Rotting log
Freshwater
Pond
Lake
Stream
Estuary
Salt water (marine)
Ocean
Aquarium
Human body
Skin
Intestine
Mouth
Buildings
Mold in walls, floors, or basement
Ventilation systems
Bathrooms
Food
Any moldy food
Refrigerator
Example ecosystems

10. Organisms in Ecosystems
Habitat: the place where an organism lives
Ex: pond for a beaver; tree for bark insects
Habitat

11. Organisms in Ecosystems
Habitats can change, and even disappear. Habitats can change due to both natural and human causes.
Habitat

12. Niche Niche: the role or position a species has in its
environment (job)
Ex: owls control rodent population at night
Niche

13. Symbiosis
Symbiosis: A relationship in which there is a close, permanent association between organisms of different species
Symbiosis means living together. Three kinds of symbiosis are recognized: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism.
Symbiosis

14. Mutualism Mutualism: both species benefit Ex: bacteria in our gut

15. Commensalism
Commensalism: one species benefits and the other species is unaffected
Ex: barnacles on
a whale
Commensalism

16. Parasitism Parasitism: one species benefits and another is harmed

17. Parasitism
Parasites have evolved in such a way that they harm, but usually do not kill the host species. Ex: tapeworm
Parasitism

18. Question 1
The study of interactions that take place between organisms and their environment is __________.
A. abiosis
B. symbiosis
C. ecology
D. biology
Section 1 Check

19. The answer is C. Ecology is a branch of biology that developed from natural history.
Section 1 Check

20. Question 3 Which of the following is a biotic factor? A. moisture
B. soil
C. earthworm
D. light
Section 1 Check

21. The answer is C. Biotic factors are all the living organisms that inhabit an environment.
Section 1 Check

22. Question 4
A(n) __________ is a group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.
A. biological community
B. population
C. ecosystem
D. habitat
Section 1 Check

23. The answer is B. Communities and ecosystems are comprised of more than one species. Habitat refers to the place an organism lives.
Section 1 Check