1. It is the study of the environment we live in
What is Ecology?
It is the study of the environment we live in

2. Origin of the word…ecology
Greek origin
OIKOS = household
LOGOS = study of…
Study of the “house/environment” in which we live.

3. Ecology is study of interactions between
non-living components in the environment…
light
water
wind
nutrients in soil
heat
solar radiation
atmosphere, etc.
AND…

4. Living organisms…
Plants
Animals
microorganisms in soil, etc.

5. Ecology…
Study of the relationship between plants and animals and their environment

6. Consumers Decomposers Primary producers herbivores and carnivores
fungi and bacteria break up dead organisms
Primary producers
green plants

7. Levels of organization - Terms
Biosphere
Part of the earth where
organisms can live
Composed of many ecosystems
Ecosystem
Large or small as we decide
Garden
Woodland
Beach

8. Levels of organization - Terms
Organism – living thing
Population – one species live in one place at one time
Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a HABITAT.

9. Levels of organization - Terms
Habitat – physical location of a community
Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a HABITAT.

10. A predator eats other animals.
Cats eat fish.
So do bears!

11. Predator The cat is a predator, because it eats other animals.
The bear is a predator, because it eats other animals.

12. Prey
Any animal which is hunted and killed by another animal for food is prey.
Predator
Prey

13. Match the predator to its prey.

14. Predators and Prey
Some animals are predators, some are prey - some are both.
The predator eats the prey, and the prey gets eaten by the predator.

15. Food Chains A food chain shows what is eaten.
The fly is eaten by the thrush.

16. Food Chains A food chain shows what is eaten.
The lettuce is eaten by the rabbit.

17. Food chains always start with a plant.
The lettuce is eaten by the slug, the slug is eaten by the bird.

18. Connections Primary Producer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer
Top of the food chain

19. The top of the food chain.
Some animals are said to be at the top of the food chain. This is because they are not hunted by other animals.
No other animal hunts the lion. The lion is at the top of the food chain. Can you think why?

20. Green plants convert the sun’s energy and are called PRIMARY PRODUCERS

21. Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down the dead plants and animals to make nutrients for the primary producer (Green plants).

22. Food Web
A number of interconnected food chains

23. Carnivore eats other animals
Herbivore eats plants
Omnivore eats plants and animals

25. Pyramid of Numbers The lion is top of the food chain
There are few lion and lots of trees

26. Interdependence Plants and animals depend on each other for survival
Carbon Dioxide
Food
Photosynthesis
Fertiliser

27. Interdependence

28. Summary

29. H/W
P 135-6
Q 1,3,5,7,9,14.