1. Ecological Relationships
How do biotic factors influence each other?

2. Ecological Relationships
Biodiversity = the number of species in an ecosystem
Territory = space claimed by an individual organism
Biodiversity--number of species in an ecosystem,
Importance: increases opportunity for natural selection without extinction
Territory—Space claimed by an individual organism
Geographical Range —Total area available to a species for its habitat
Ecological Equilibrium —State of “balance” in an ecosystem
Ecological Equilibrium = state of “balance” in an ecosystem

3. Ecological Relationships
NICHE - Role of organism in the ecosystem (job)
NICHE DIVERSITY – Number of niches in an ecosystem; often determined by abiotic factors
A niche is the sum of all activities and relationships a species has while obtaining and using resources needed to survive and reproduce
Abiotic = non-living

4. Competition:
The “fight” may be indirect … individuals may never directly contact each other.
When species or individuals “fight” for the same resources.
E.g., Food, shelter….
KEYSTONE PREDATOR/SPECIES - A predator that causes a large increase in diversity of its habitat.
Two species with similar needs for same limited resources cannot coexist.
Losing a keystone species usually disrupts many ecological relationships.

5. Herbivore: A primary consumer feeds on a producer.
A fruit bat eating a papaya
A woodchuck eating wild clover

6. An eagle eating halibut.
Predation:
A consumer feeds on another consumer.
A lion eating zebra.
An eagle eating halibut.

7. Symbiosis:
A long-term relationship where two species live closely together and at least one benefits directly from the relationship.

8. Mutualism: Both organisms benefit from the relationship.
Win-Win situation!

9. Commensalism One organism benefits, the other one is unaffected.
Win-Neutral relationship

10. Parasitism One organism benefits, the other one is harmed!
Win-Lose relationship
Parasites rarely kill their hosts…it would require them to get another one!

11. Ecological Relationships
Biological Magnification — Increasing concentration of poisons in organisms in higher trophic levels in a food chain or web.
Many toxins in the water
Many toxins in the person

12. Video on Biological Magnification
Biological Magnification- accumulation of increasing amounts of toxin within tissues of organisms (Moves up the food chain).
Video on Biological Magnification