2. Ecology Introduction
Ecology- the study of the interactions of organisms with one another and their physical surroundings
Ecologist- scientist who studies ecology

3. Ecosystem
Definition- consist of a given area’s physical features (abiotic factors) and living organisms (biotic factors)
Example of an ecosystem: pond
abiotic factors? biotic factors?

4. Community
Definition- all organisms living together in an ecosystem

5. Biodiversity
Definition- measure of the number of species living within an ecosystem

6. Ecological Succession
Definition- process through which an existing community is gradually replaced by another community (takes decades to thousands of years)

7. 2 Kinds of Succession Primary succession
Areas of no previous growth of plants
Pioneer species: first organisms to live in a new habitat (ex. lichens)
Secondary succession
- Areas of previous growth of plants (abandoned field, forest clearing)

8. Community changes, species changes
Succession leads to a climax community
Climax community- a relatively stable collection of plants and animals that result from ecological succession

9. What order?

10. Story of Tree Tops Valley
-Read the story of Tree Tops Valley.
-Your job is to illustrate the story as it is being told
-There are 6 drawings you should make
-Key phrases or terms are summarized simply to help your imagination

11. Story of Tree Tops Valley
Click HERE to access the story on our class website.

12. A Beautiful green valley Evergreen forest (pine trees)
Paddles up cool streams
Made trails through large giant pine trees
Picnics
Home at top of the hill
Looked down at valley

13. B Lighting storm started fire in forest Tree Top Valley burned
Burned remains of trees
Crying

14. C Family moved to town Saddled horses and rode into valley
Wind blown seeds
Bird dropped seeds
Sprouting plants
Mosses, weeds, grasses, ferns

15. D Old cabin is still there Full of berry bushes
John ate so many he got sick

16. E John got married and had boy No more berries
Lots of leafy green trees

17. F
Huge oak trees
Picnics
Full forest