1. AS 2.5 Describe concepts and processes relating to ecology Miss Jan

2. Ecology comes from a Greek work meaning home – so ecology is the study of organisms in their home environment.

3. Ecology and the Environment  Learning objectives: Define the word ecology Define the word environment Explain the difference between biotic and abiotic factors Give examples of biotic and abiotic factors

4. Ecology and the Environment  Ecology is the study of living things (organisms) in their natural surroundings or environment.  The environment includes everything living (biotic factors) and non-living or physical (abiotic factors).

5. Biotic Factors: the influences that result from the activities of living organisms in the community.  Food availability  Predation  Parasites  Competition  Human actions

6. Abiotic Factors: the influences of the non-living aspects of the community  Light (intensity, direction, day length)  Water (salinity, humidity, pH, tidal exposure, rainfall)  Wind (speed, direction, exposure)  Soil type (pH, nutrient levels)  Pressure (altitude effects, oxygen levels)

7. Did You Know That…?  Sharks can hear a swimmer's heartbeat 3 to 4 metres away. That's why they are so well adapted for hunting.

8. Habitat and Environmental factors Hand out  Habitat and Niche  The particular places where organisms live are called their _______________.  Example s of habitats are:__________________________________ _______________________________  Each habitat has particular conditions or ______________.  Each species has features suiting it to the conditions in its _____________.  These features enable each species to have its own unique role (or way of living) in its habitat, called its ecological ____________, which is usually related to how it obtains __________. Habitat Forest floor, streams, rock pool, grassland, etc factors habitat niche food

9. Mixed up answers for the ‘Biotic factors’ section other species Affects growth, pop. size Affects pop. size, location Affects pop. size, dispersion Affects growth, pop. size, dispersion, habitat constraints

10. Types of Environmental Factors Biotic factors are due to effects caused by _______________ in that habitat. Suggest how a species could be affected by the following biotic factors:  Food supply:  Predation:  Competition:  Human actions: other species Affects growth, pop. size Affects pop. size, location Affects pop. size, dispersion Affects growth, pop. size, dispersion, habitat constraints

11. physical or climatic Growth (photosynthesis), water loss, temp, behaviour Behaviour, reproduction, temp. Water loss/gain Water loss, temp, increased predation Mixed up answers for the ‘abiotic factors’ sections Growth (plants), water gain, nutrients, dispersal, salinity, temp. Water loss, range, food availability, temp regulation Nutrient availability and growth (plants), habitat zone Water loss, food supply, growth, range Water loss, physical damage, dispersal, temp. Dispersal, extended habitat zone, physical damage

12. Abiotic factors are due to effects caused by ______________________ conditions. Suggest how a species could be affected by the following abiotic factors:  Light intensity:  Day-length:  Salinity:  Tidal exposure: physical or climatic Growth (photosynthesis), water loss, temp, behaviour Behaviour, reproduction, temp. Water loss/gain Water loss, temp, increased predation

13.  Rainfall:  Humidity:  pH levels:  Temperature:  Wind:  Wave action: Growth (plants), water gain, nutrients, dispersal, salinity, temp. Water loss, range, food availability, temp regulation Nutrient availability and growth (plants), habitat zone Water loss, food supply, growth, range Water loss, physical damage, dispersal, temp. Dispersal, extended habitat zone, physical damage

14. Did You Know That…?  Humans show some signs that resemble hibernation. When we sleep, our body temperatures do drop slightly before and during sleeping.

15. Homework  Brainstorm the biotic and abiotic factors that affect which organisms living in … grass fields, own back garden, beaches, etc. (Choose one area only)