1. What is Ecology?
Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, or surroundings. (“eco” – house and “logy” is the study of)

2. Levels of Organization
Parts of Earth in which life exists
Collection of all the living organisms and the nonliving, physical environment in a place

3. What Shapes an Ecosystem?

4. Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Physical, non-living factors that shape ecosystems
Examples: temperature, climate, humidity, wind, nutrient availability, soil type, sunlight
Biological (living) influences on organisms within an ecosystem
Examples: birds, trees, bacteria; Predators, Competition, Prey
Biotic and abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an organism and the productivity of the ecosystem in which the organism lives.

5. Habitat vs. Niche
Habitat: the area where an organism lives (includes both biotic and abiotic factors).
Niche: the way the organism uses a habitat and the role it plays within it

6. No 2 species can share the same niche in the same habitat.
Different species can occupy niches that are very similar.

7. Community Interactions: Competition
When organisms attempt to use an ecological resource in the same place at the same time.
A resource is any necessity of life, such as water, nutrients, light, food, or space.
Often results in a winner and loser (loser doesn’t survive).
Winner and loser

8. Community Interactions: Predation
An interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism is called predation.
Predator: the organism that does the killing and eating
Prey: the food organism

9. Community Interactions: Symbiosis
Any relationship in which two species live closely together is called symbiosis.
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
both species benefit from the relationship
one member of the association benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed
one organism (the parasite) lives on or inside another organism (the host) and harms it
The effect that the Red-billed oxpecker has on on the Impala is called mutualism. This bird eats mainly ticks but may also eat blood-sucking flies, fleas, and lice off the Impala. Both organisms benefit from this because the Impala is getting the parasites that could harm it off of itself from the ox-pecker. The oxpecker benefits from it because it is getting food from the parasites on it.
In India, lone golden jackals expelled from their pack have been known to form commensal relationships with tigers. These solitary jackals, known as kol-bahl, will attach themselves to a particular tiger, trailing it at a safe distance in order to feed on the big cat's kills. 

10. Ecological Succession
Ecosystems are constantly changing in response to natural and human disturbances.
Ecological succession: the series of predictable changes that occurs in a community over time.
Primary
Secondary

11. Primary Succession
Succession that occurs on surfaces where no soil exists.
Example: after volcanic eruptions
The first species to populate the area are called pioneer species (example: lichen).

12. 1. In this example, a volcanic eruption has destroyed the previous ecosystem.

13. 2. The first organisms to appear are lichens.

14. 3. Mosses soon appear, and grasses take root in the thin layer of soil.

15. 4. Eventually, tree seedlings and shrubs sprout among the plant community.

16. Secondary Succession Succession that happens when there is still soil.
Example: natural events (ex: fires) or by human disturbances (ex: farming).
Secondary Succession: The regrowth of a community from these events.
Pioneer Species: small grasses

17. Climax Community: when the community is restored to its full natural state.

18. 4-1 and 4-2 Vocab Abiotic Biotic Habitat Niche Competition Predation
Predator
Prey
Symbiosis
Mutualism
Commensalism
Parasitism
Ecological Succession
Primary Succession
Secondary Succession
Pioneer Species
Climax Community

20. Biomes
A Biome is a complex of terrestrial communities that covers a large area and is characterized by certain soil and climate conditions, plants and animals.
Determined by temperature and precipitation.
Species are adapted to their particular biome.

22. Tropical Rainforest
Hot and wet year-round

23. Desert
Hot and Dry

24. Tundra
Cold and dry
Permanently frozen ground – permafrost
No trees