2. INTRODUCTION I. Terms A. Ecology 1. Definitions

3. ECOLOGY => scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment Relationship = Interactions Environment = Abiotic vs. Biotic Major division of study  ecosystem

4. B. Hierarchy of Ecology

5. 1. Abiotic Potential = ?????????? 2. Biotic Potential  Molecules to Organisms

6. 3. Populations  Biosphere

7. 3. Populations  Biosphere

8. Biomes are areas defined by the plant and animal life adapted for a particular biotic region.

9. C. Why Study Ecology? 1. History

10. a. Willdenow and Humboldt (early 1800’s) said similar climate = similar plant forms b. Haekel (1866) coined the term “ecology” c. Warming (early 1900’s) related plant morphology and physiology to biogeography d. Lindeman (1940’s) traced energy flow through a lake community (ecosystem ecology) e. Carlson (1960) wrote Silent Spring

11. II. Related Fields

13. III. How to study Ecology? A. Scientific Method

14. B. Process of Reasoning 1. Inductive 2. Deductive

15. C. Steps of the Method

16. Variables: Controls Independent Dependent

17. Variables: Controls Independent Dependent

18. Variables: Controls Independent Dependent

19. Strive to the depths of your talent.