1. Introducing Ecology

2. What is Ecology? the study of interactions between organisms and their environment

3. The Environment includes Living and Nonliving parts BIOTIC –the living parts of the environment (animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, etc.) BIOTIC –the living parts of the environment (animals, plants, fungi, bacteria, protists, etc.) ABIOTIC –the nonliving parts of the environment (air, water, rocks, soil, light, etc.) ABIOTIC –the nonliving parts of the environment (air, water, rocks, soil, light, etc.)

4. Levels of Organization Ecologists study several different levels of organization: Ecologists study several different levels of organization: Species Species Population Population Community Community Ecosystem Ecosystem Biome Biome Biosphere Biosphere

5. Organism Species  Group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring

6. Population  Group of organisms that belong to the same species and live in the same area Population A population of bullfrogs in a pond

7. Community Community Community  group of different populations that live in the same area

8. Ecosystem Ecosystem  Community of organisms that live together and interact with the abiotic environment

9. Ecosystem Biome  Group of ecosystems with similar climate and dominant communities Tropical rain forest Tropical dry forest Tropical savanna Temperate woodland and shrubland Desert Temperate grassland Boreal forest (Taiga) Northwestern coniferous forest Temperate forest Mountains and ice caps Tundra

10. Biosphere The biosphere refers to the portion of the planet in which all of life exists: The biosphere refers to the portion of the planet in which all of life exists: Land Land Water Water Air Air

11. Species & Population video

12. Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

13. Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs Autotrophs – make their own food so they are called PRODUCERS Autotrophs – make their own food so they are called PRODUCERS Heterotrophs – get their food from another source so they are called CONSUMERS Heterotrophs – get their food from another source so they are called CONSUMERS

14. Two main types of Producers (Autotrophs) Get energy from sunlight Get energy from sunlight The main source of energy for life on earth The main source of energy for life on earth Photosynthesis Photosynthesis Get energy from chemicals Get energy from chemicals Some organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic compounds Some organisms rely on the energy stored in inorganic compounds Chemosynthesis Chemosynthesis

15. Types of Consumers Herbivores- only eat plantsCarnivores - only eat animals Omnivores- eat plants AND animals Detritivores and Decomposers Feeds on plant and animal remains

16. How does Energy flow through an Ecosystem? Energy flows through an ecosystem in ONE direction Energy flows through an ecosystem in ONE direction

17. Feeding Relationships Food Chain – steps of organisms transferring energy by eating and being eaten Food Chain – steps of organisms transferring energy by eating and being eaten Food Web – network of the interconnected food chains in an ecosystem Food Web – network of the interconnected food chains in an ecosystem

18. Click here to practice making a Food Chain

19. Food Chains & Food Webs video

20. Make your Own Food Web! Go to the link below. Go to the link below. Scroll to bottom and click on, “creating a possible food web”. Scroll to bottom and click on, “creating a possible food web”. Type your full name in the box. Type your full name in the box. Drag organisms & arrows to form your web. Drag organisms & arrows to form your web. Print your completed web to turn into your teacher. Print your completed web to turn into your teacher. Click here to make your own Food Web

21. What are trophic levels? Each step in a food chain or food web is a trophic level. Each step in a food chain or food web is a trophic level. Producers make the first trophic level. Producers make the first trophic level. Consumers make up the second, third, or higher trophic levels. Consumers make up the second, third, or higher trophic levels. A primary consumer eats the 1st trophic level. A primary consumer eats the 1st trophic level. A secondary consumer eats the 2nd trophic level. A secondary consumer eats the 2nd trophic level. A tertiary consumer eats the 3rd trophic level. A tertiary consumer eats the 3rd trophic level. A quaternary consumer eats the 4th trophic level. A quaternary consumer eats the 4th trophic level.

22. Ecological Pyramids Energy Pyramid Biomass Pyramid Pyramid of Numbers  A graphical representation of the trophic levels in an ecosystem

24. Energy Pyramid v. Biomass Pyramid Energy pyramid represents the amount of energy available in each trophic level. Energy pyramid represents the amount of energy available in each trophic level. Only about 10% of the energy stored in an organism is transferred to the next trophic level Only about 10% of the energy stored in an organism is transferred to the next trophic level The more levels that exist between producers and top-level consumers in an ecosystem, the less energy that remains from the original amount The more levels that exist between producers and top-level consumers in an ecosystem, the less energy that remains from the original amount Biomass pyramid represents the total amount of living tissue available within each trophic level of a food chain It represents the amount of potential food available for each trophic level (grams of organic matter per unit area) Typically, the greatest biomass is at the bottom of the pyramid.

26. Pyramid of Biomass - amount of potential food available for each trophic level

27. Pyramids video