Ecology Observing nature. Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environments Includes descriptive and quantitative

EcologyEcology

Observing natureObserving nature

EcologyEcology

The scientific study of interactions among The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environments organisms and their environments

Includes descriptive and quantitative data Includes descriptive and quantitative data to learn about relationshipsto learn about relationships

EcologyEcology

Biosphere – portion of Earth that Biosphere – portion of Earth that supports lifesupports life From high in atmosphere to bottom of From high in atmosphere to bottom of

oceansoceans

EcologyEcology

Ecology includes non-living parts of Ecology includes non-living parts of environment = abiotic factorsenvironment = abiotic factors

Temperature,Temperature, moisture, moisture, air air

currents, currents, light, light, soilsoil

EcologyEcology

Living organisms in an environment are Living organisms in an environment are the biotic factorsthe biotic factors

Living things affect othersLiving things affect others

EcologyEcology

Levels of organizationLevels of organization To understand relationships you have to To understand relationships you have to

look at more than one individuallook at more than one individual PopulationPopulation CommunityCommunity Ecosystem Ecosystem

Levels of OrganizationLevels of Organization

Population is a group of organisms of Population is a group of organisms of one species that interbreed and live in one species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same timethe same place at the same timeIndividual frogs might Individual frogs might compete compete

for the for the same same food sourcefood source


Community is a collection of interacting Community is a collection of interacting populationspopulations A change in one population may cause A change in one population may cause

change in another populationchange in another population

more frogs = fewer fliesmore frogs = fewer flies


While population and communities While population and communities interact, they both interact with their interact, they both interact with their environmentenvironment

An ecosystem is made up of interactions An ecosystem is made up of interactions among the populations in a community among the populations in a community and the physical surroundings,and the physical surroundings,

or abiotic factors or abiotic factors


EcosystemsEcosystems Terrestrial = on land, forest, meadow, desertTerrestrial = on land, forest, meadow, desert Aquatic = in water, 75% of EarthAquatic = in water, 75% of Earth

Freshwater = pond, lake, streamFreshwater = pond, lake, stream Saltwater = oceanSaltwater = ocean

EcologyEcology

Organisms in EcosystemsOrganisms in Ecosystems


Habitat is the place where an organism Habitat is the place where an organism lives out its life.lives out its life. Prairie dog burrows in a grasslandPrairie dog burrows in a grassland Birds in trees of a beech-maple forestBirds in trees of a beech-maple forest


Niche is the role a species has in its Niche is the role a species has in its environmentenvironment

Several species may live in the same Several species may live in the same place, but use different place, but use different resources = their resources = their specialized nichespecialized niche


Some species improve changes of Some species improve changes of survival by forming relationships with survival by forming relationships with other speciesother species

Some relationships benefit one, harm Some relationships benefit one, harm other, like predator/prey relationshipother, like predator/prey relationship

Symbiosis = living together, close Symbiosis = living together, close relationship between speciesrelationship between species


There are several kinds of symbiosisThere are several kinds of symbiosis CommensalismCommensalism MutualismMutualism Parasitism Parasitism


Commensalism = a symbiotic relationship Commensalism = a symbiotic relationship in which one species benefits and the in which one species benefits and the other is neither harmed not benefitedother is neither harmed not benefited Clownfish lives Clownfish lives

amongst stinging amongst stinging anemone anemone for for protectionprotection


Mutualism = a symbiotic relationship in Mutualism = a symbiotic relationship in which both species benefitwhich both species benefit Ants get nectar from acacia trees and attack Ants get nectar from acacia trees and attack

any animal that tries to eat from tree. This any animal that tries to eat from tree. This protection allows trees to live longer.protection allows trees to live longer.


Parasitism = a symbiotic relationship in Parasitism = a symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits at expense which one organism benefits at expense of other organism.of other organism. Tick, flea, mosquitoTick, flea, mosquito

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Ecology Observing nature. Ecology The scientific study of interactions among organisms and their environments Includes descriptive and quantitative