1. Fundamentals of Ecology

2. Table of content
How organisms respond to their physical environment and how those responses affect the characteristics of populations.
Examine the characteristics of population and the factors that affect their growth.
Understand assemblages of coexisting species and the interactions that occur among them.

3. The Study of Ecology
Ecosystems are “systems” composed of living organisms and their nonliving environment.
Ecosystems carry biotic (organismal) and abiotic (non-living) factors.
Biosphere is the sum of all the earth’s ecosystems.
The structure of the Biosphere are: the capture of energy, the cycling of nutrients, survival and reproduction, and the process of evolution that has shaped the world around you

4. Important Points:
Ecosystems are composed of living organisms and their physical environment (abiotic and biotic factors)
The world’s ecosystems are all interconnected
All of the earth’s ecosystems taken together form the biosphere.

5. Ecology and the Physical Environment
How do organisms live in the deep?
Why are some rocks covered in algae and others are not?
What are the demands for their environment determine how much energy is necessary to survive and whether there will be enough energy to reproduce and thrive together.
This influences the distribution of organisms in the marine environment.

6. The Physical “abiotic” Environment
An organisms environment consist of physical and biological factors.
Example of physical factors in a marine ecosystem include:
Temperature
Salinity pH
Amount of sunlight
Ocean currents
Wave action
Type and size of sediment particles

7. Watch this Video! https://youtu.be/9p1kAvDL52U
This video shows an example on how "abiotic “ factors like temperature can effect an organisms.

8. “Biotic” Factors Other organisms, so: Competition Predation
Disease agents
Symbiosis
Mutualism- both organisms benefit
Commensalism- one organism benefits while the other is not harmed
Parasitism- one organism benefits and the other is harmed

9. Watch this Video!! https://youtu.be/GzaeYzAC8Ro
Video explains how biotic factors like over-population and predation can effect an ecosystem

10. Symbiotic Relationships

11. Habitat: Where an organism lives
Examples of marine habitats:
Rocky shores
Sandy shores
Mangrove swamps
Coral reefs
Deep-sea vents
Each habitat are characterized by its own set of physical and chemical characteristics.
These characterisitcs influence what types organisms can live in that habitat and their ability to adapt!

12. IQ #1 What is the difference between BIOTIC and ABIOTIC factors?
How do you think Biotic factors can influence an ecosystem?( hint: think of how a population grows and shrinks)

13. Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are not only a home for fish but for a community of micro-organisms known as bacteria!
Corals are sensitive to their environment
Changes in pH, temperature, salinity and light can alter the ecosystem in a stressful way
Stressed corals are vulnerable to coral bleaching!

14. Maintaining Homeostasis
The secret to live is…… balance…..
Survival of an organism is influenced by how the internal environment reacts with the external environment.
When changes happen, the organism must make proper adjustments internally to reestablish a balanced state.
Different types of organisms can tolerate different levels of fluctuation in environmental factors
Ex. Coral reefs vs. rocky shore habitats

15. IQ #2
Which habitat do you think can tolerate “stress” aka fluctuations in their environment. Explain why.
Coral Reef
Vs.
Rocky Shore

17. IQ #3
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living out of your optimal range???

18. Reflection
3 points learned: points confused