1. Introduction to Ecology

2. The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.
What is Ecology?
The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

3. So, what are we really studying?
Energy
Relationships between organisms
Organisms interaction on its environment
Impact organisms have on each other and their impact on their environment

4. So what do ecologists study?
Biotic
Abiotic
All living organisms that inhabit an environment.
single cell organisms to complex multi-cellular organisms.
Non living parts of an organisms environment.
sun light, air, water, rocks, and soil.

5. What is a habitat?

6. Habitat
An area where an organism lives. This includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors.

7. Niche
The role an organism plays in its environment based upon its adaptations.

8. Levels of Organization

10. Food Chains
The energy stored by producers can be passed through an ecosystem along a food chain.
A food chain is a series of steps in which organisms transfer energy by eating and being eaten.
Simplified version, though it is more complex!

11. Food Chain

12. Food Chain. The one I want you to know!

13. Food Web A food web links all the food chains in an ecosystem.
A food web is the feeding relationships among various organisms in an ecosystem form a network of complex interactions.
A food web links all the food chains in an ecosystem.

14. Food Web
Decomposer

15. Food Web

16. Food Web: Easy to Read Version

17. Energy Pyramid
Demonstrates the relative amount of energy available to each trophic level.
Only 10% of the energy available within one level is transferred to organisms at the higher level.
90% of the energy is lost as heat energy.

18. Energy Pyramid Top Consumers Consumers Producers Heat Energy
Energy from
Consumption
SUN

19. Energy Pyramid