What is Ecology?

Ecology – study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Consists of biotic and abiotic factors

Biotic- livingAbiotic- nonliving; i.e. temperature, soil, air

etc.

Levels of Organization

What is essential for the elk to have energy?

Energy flows, matter cycles Matter is cycled. No

matter leaves the earth.

Light energy from the sun arrives at the earth. A small amount is used by living organisms. Most of that energy escapes from the earth and is lost as heat energy into space.

But how we get this energy can vary.

Producers vs. Consumers

Producers = Autotrophs Consumers = Heterotrophs

CAN make their own food CANNOT make their own food

Make their own food to use for energy.

Consume other organisms to use for energy.

1. Produces that use photosynthesis2. Producers that use chemosynthesis

1. herbivores 2. omnivores3. carnivores 4. detritivores5. decomposers

Define the 5 types of consumers with a partnerHerbivore –

Carnivore-

Omnivore-

Detritivore-

Decomposer-

Define the 5 types of consumers with a partner Herbivore – obtain energy by eating ONLY

plantsCarnivore – obtain energy by eating ONLY

animalsOmnivore- obtain energy by eating both

plants and animals Detritivore – obtain energy by feeding on

plant and animal remainsDecomposer – break down organic matter.

Energy flows, matter cycles Matter is cycled.

No matter leaves the earth.

Light energy from the sun arrives at the earth. A small amount is used by living organisms. Most of that energy escapes from the earth and is lost as heat energy into space.

But how we get this energy can vary.

Producers are the foundation of all living things

One way flow of energy. Energy is passed from the producer to 4 different groups of organisms.