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Introduction to Ecology
Introduction to Ecology
copyright cmassengale
WHAT IS ECOLOGY?
is the scientific study
of organisms and how they interact with
their environment
is the scientific study
of organisms and how they interact with
their environment
EcologyEcology
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Organisms and Their
Environment
Organisms and Their
Environment
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Habitat & NicheHabitat & NicheHabitat & Niche•
Niche is the role an organism plays in its environment
•
Habitat is the place an organism lives
••
NicheNiche is the role is the role an organism an organism plays in its plays in its environmentenvironment
••
HabitatHabitat is the is the place an place an organism lives organism lives
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The Nonliving EnvironmentThe Nonliving Environment
••
Abiotic factorsAbiotic factors--
the the nonliving parts of an nonliving parts of an organismorganism’’s environment.s environment.
••
Abiotic factors affect Abiotic factors affect an organisman organism’’s life.s life.
Abiotic FactorsAbiotic Factors
SUNLIGHT
PRECIPITATION
TYPES OF SOILTYPES OF SOIL
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The Living EnvironmentThe Living Environment
••
Biotic factorsBiotic factors--
all the living all the living organisms that inhabit an organisms that inhabit an environment.environment.
••
All organisms depend on others All organisms depend on others directly or indirectly for food, directly or indirectly for food, shelter, reproduction, or shelter, reproduction, or protection.protection.
PLANTSPLANTS
ANIMALSANIMALS
Biotic or Abiotic?
• Predators • Hot weather• Acid rain• Wood from trees• Your parents• The river flow• The leeches found in the river
Biotic
Abiotic
AbioticBiotic
Biotic
AbioticBiotic
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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?
BioticBiotic
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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?
AbioticAbiotic
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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?
AbioticAbiotic
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Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?
BioticBiotic
Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?
BioticBiotic
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Ecological Levels of Organization
Ecological Levels of Organization
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Ecologists have organized the interactions an Ecologists have organized the interactions an organism takes part in into different levels organism takes part in into different levels according to complexity.according to complexity.
Levels studied earlier:Levels studied earlier:
• Atom• Molecule• Gene• Chromosomes• Organelles• Cells• Tissues• Organs• Organ systems
• Atom• Molecule• Gene• Chromosomes• Organelles• Cells• Tissues• Organs• Organ systems
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1st Level of Organization11stst
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Organism: An individual
living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops
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Organism:Organism: An individual An individual
living thing that living thing that is made of cells, is made of cells, uses energy, uses energy, reproduces, reproduces, responds, grows, responds, grows, and developsand develops
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2nd Level of Organization22ndnd
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Population: A group of
organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.
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Population:Population: A group of A group of
organisms, all organisms, all of the same of the same species, which species, which interbreed and interbreed and live in the live in the same place at same place at the same time.the same time.
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3rd Level of Organization33rdrd
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Biological Community:
All the populations of different species that live in the same place at the same time.
••
Biological Biological Community:Community:
All the All the populations of populations of different different species that species that live in the same live in the same place at the place at the same time.same time.
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4th Level of Organization44thth
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Ecosystem: Populations of plants
and animals that interact with each other in a given area with the abiotic components of that area.
••
Ecosystem:Ecosystem: Populations of plants Populations of plants
and animals that and animals that interact with each interact with each other in a given other in a given area with the area with the abiotic components abiotic components of that area. of that area.
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5th Level of Organization55thth
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Biome: Group of
ecosystems that have the same climate and dominant communities
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Biome:Biome: Group of Group of
ecosystems that have ecosystems that have the same climate and the same climate and dominant communitiesdominant communities
Rain forestsRain forestsRain forests
DesertsDesertsDeserts
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6th Level of Organization66thth
Level of OrganizationLevel of Organization
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Biosphere: The
portion of Earth that supports life.
••
Biosphere:Biosphere: The The
portion of portion of Earth that Earth that supports supports life.life.
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The BiosphereThe BiosphereThe Biosphere
•
Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt water.
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The BIOSPHERE is the portion of Earth that supports living things.
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Life is found in air, on Life is found in air, on land, and in fresh and salt land, and in fresh and salt water.water.
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The The BIOSPHERE BIOSPHERE is the is the portion of Earth that portion of Earth that supports living things.supports living things.
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Levels of OrganizationLevels of Organization
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What level of organization?What level of organization?What level of organization?
OrganismOrganism
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What level of Organization?What level of Organization?What level of Organization?
CommunityCommunitycopyright cmassengale
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What level of Organization?What level of Organization?What level of Organization?
PopulationPopulationcopyright cmassengale
Interactions and interdependence in an ecosystem are all about
Energy Transfer
Interactions and interdependence in an ecosystem are all about
Energy Transfer
What is the main source of energy for all Ecosystems? What is the main source of energy for all Ecosystems?
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for all Ecosystems.
The sun is the ultimate source of energy for all Ecosystems.
From the sun, plants can make their own food (through what process?) and other organisms can feed on them.
Some other organisms can make their own food from inorganic compounds (chemicals not containing carbon)
From the sun, plants can make their own food (through what process?) and other organisms can feed on them.
Some other organisms can make their own food from inorganic compounds (chemicals not containing carbon)
Feeding RelationshipsFeeding Relationships
Autotrophs/Producers-organisms that can make their own food from sun or chemicals
Remember - Plants undergo photosynthesis:
Autotrophs/Producers-organisms that can make their own food from sun or chemicals
Remember - Plants undergo photosynthesis:
Autotrophs/Producers-–Some bacteria in extreme
environments capture energy from inorganic compounds by chemosynthesis
Autotrophs/Producers-–Some bacteria in extreme
environments capture energy from inorganic compounds by chemosynthesis
Heterotrophs/ConsumersHeterotrophs/Consumers
Organisms that eat OR absorb food to obtain energy
Organisms that eat OR absorb food to obtain energy
HerbivoresHerbivoresEat only plant lifeEat only plant life
CarnivoresCarnivores
Feed on other consumers
OmnivoresOmnivoresEat both
producers and other consumers
Detritivores and Scavengers:Detritivores and Scavengers:Feeds on Feeds on
dead dead materialsmaterials
DecomposersDecomposers
Break down organic matter and return it to
the environment to be recycled
Break down organic matter and return it to
the environment to be recycled
What is each organism? What is each organism?
Heterotroph & Decomposer Autotroph/ Producer
Heterotroph & Omnivore
Heterotroph & CarnivoreHeterotroph & Carnivore
Food Webs and Food Chains
Food Webs and Food Chains
Purpose of food webs and chains:
Purpose of food webs and chains:
• Show how energy
flows in an ecosystem
• Show how energy
flows in an ecosystem
Energy FlowEnergy FlowEnergy Flow - Energy flows in one
direction through an ecosystem:
Sun Producers Consumers Decomposers
At each level some energy is used by the organism for life processes and so is “lost” as heat.
Energy Flow - Energy flows in one direction through an ecosystem:
Sun Producers Consumers Decomposers
At each level some energy is used by the organism for life processes and so is “lost” as heat.
Food ChainsFood ChainsSingle display of energy transfer
in an ecosystem. Arrows point in the direction of energy flow.
Single display of energy transfer in an ecosystem. Arrows point in the direction of energy flow.
Food WebsFood Webs
Link together several food chains within the same ecosystem.
Trophic Level
Trophic Level
Steps or levels in a Food Web, Food Chain,
or Food Pyramid
ProducerProducerPrimary
consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Trophic LevelsTrophic Levels
1 2 3
ProducerProducer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Secondary consumer
1
2
1
2
3
2
Food Web Analysis
Set 1
Food Web Analysis
Set 1
Energy Flow Activity
Energy Flow Activity
Energy goes from the Producers to the first level consumers
But how much energy?
ONLY 10% of the total energy available goes to the next level
What happens to the other 90%?
It’s used for life
processes or lost to the
atmosphere as heat (thermal energy)
Ecological PyramidsEcological PyramidsThe direction of energy flow through
the trophic levels can be shown through food chains and food webs.
To show relative amounts of matter and energy per trophic level, we can use a pyramid
The direction of energy flow through the trophic levels can be shown through food chains and food webs.
To show relative amounts of matter and energy per trophic level, we can use a pyramid
Ecological PyramidsEcological Pyramids
• Energy Pyramid: the producers are at the bottom with the total amount of solar energy captured.
• Each trophic level that the energy flows into only receives 10% of the energy from the previous level.
• The other 90% is used for life processes or lost as heat
• Energy Pyramid: the producers are at the bottom with the total amount of solar energy captured.
• Each trophic level that the energy flows into only receives 10% of the energy from the previous level.
• The other 90% is used for life processes or lost as heat
If 5600 kCal were available at the producer level, how much would be available at each of the other trophic levels?
If 5600 kCal were available at the producer level, how much would be available at each of the other trophic levels?
5.6 kCal5.6 kCal
560 kCal
56 kCal
5600 kCal
5600 kCal x 10% = 560 kCal560 kCal x 10% = 56 kCal56 kCal x 10% = 5.6 kCal
Biomass PyramidsBiomass Pyramids
• shows the amount of food or energy available (organic matter or biomass) at each trophic level
• shows the amount of food or energy available (organic matter or biomass) at each trophic level
Pyramids of NumbersPyramids of Numbers
• shows the number of organisms at each trophic level in an area
• shows the number of organisms at each trophic level in an area
Food Web Analysis
Set 2
Food Web Analysis
Set 2
Warm up – Study the energy pyramid and then predict what would happen to the following ecosystem:
ProducersPrimary consumers
Secondary consumersTertiary consumers
Population ChangesPopulation Changes• What causes a Population to change?
• What causes a Population to change?
Birth RateBirth Rate• The major way organisms are added to a population.
• The major way organisms are added to a population.
Death RateDeath Rate• The major way organisms are removed from a population.
• The major way organisms are removed from a population.
Death Rate vs. Birth RateDeath Rate vs. Birth Rate
• What will happen if Death Rate is faster than Birth Rate?
• The population can become extinct
• What will happen if Death Rate is faster than Birth Rate?
• The population can become extinct
Death Rate vs. Birth RateDeath Rate vs. Birth Rate
• What will happen if Birth Rate is faster than Death Rate?
• The population can become over populated
• What will happen if Birth Rate is faster than Death Rate?
• The population can become over populated
Other ways organisms enter or leave a population
Other ways organisms enter or leave a population
• Emigration… an organism leaving a population… Exiting
• Immigration… an organism entering into a population… come IN to
• Emigration… an organism leaving a population… Exiting
• Immigration… an organism entering into a population… come IN to
How do populations maintain a consistency?
How do populations maintain a consistency?
• In most all population groups the birth rate and death rate are about equal
• In most all population groups the birth rate and death rate are about equal
What keeps a population from getting too big?
What keeps a population from getting too big?
Limiting FactorsLimiting Factors• Something that keeps a population from increasing in size such as food, space available, weather conditions
• Something that keeps a population from increasing in size such as food, space available, weather conditions
Density DependentDensity DependentPopulations relies on how many
organisms are in a defined space
Competition for resources like food available keeps numbers down; more organisms require more food
Populations relies on how many organisms are in a defined space
Competition for resources like food available keeps numbers down; more organisms require more food
When rabbit population increases the Lynx population will begin to increases because there is more
food
When rabbit population increases the Lynx population will begin to increases because there is more
food
As the Lynx population begins to thrive, they over eat, decreasing
the rabbit population, in turn hurting themselves
As the Lynx population begins to thrive, they over eat, decreasing
the rabbit population, in turn hurting themselves
Density IndependentDensity Independent• All populations are affected no matter
the original number. Usually caused by environmental changes (temperature, drought, natural disasters)
• All populations are affected no matter the original number. Usually caused by environmental changes (temperature, drought, natural disasters)
Notice all Vegetation suffers when precipitation is low
Notice all Vegetation suffers when precipitation is low
Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity
• the population size of the species that the environment can sustain
• Based on the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment.
• the population size of the species that the environment can sustain
• Based on the food, habitat, water and other necessities available in the environment.
Ecosystems and Communities
Ecosystems and Communities
Community Interactions Community Interactions
CompetitionCompetitionCompeting for resources
• Food• Shelter• Space• Mates
Competing for resources
• Food• Shelter• Space• Mates
PredationPredationOne organism hunts and feeds on
another organism One organism hunts and feeds on
another organism
SymbiosisSymbiosis• The relationship between two different
species living closely together
• Mutualism• Parasitism• Commensalism
• The relationship between two different species living closely together
• Mutualism• Parasitism• Commensalism
MutualismMutualismboth species benefit from the
relationship both species benefit from the
relationshipClownfish live within
sea anemones, which normally sting other fish. The fish gets protection, and the anemone benefits
because the clownfish keep it clean of
bacteria.
MutualismMutualism• Hummingbirds
pollinating flowers: humming birds get food, flowers reproduce
• Hummingbirds pollinating flowers: humming birds get food, flowers reproduce
ParasitismParasitismone organism gains benefits at the
other’s expense one organism gains benefits at the
other’s expense
Leech sucks the blood of a human
ParasitismParasitism• A wasp lays its
eggs in a Boll weevil larva. When the wasp eggs hatch they feed on the Boll Weevil
• A wasp lays its eggs in a Boll weevil larva. When the wasp eggs hatch they feed on the Boll Weevil
CommensalismCommensalismone species benefits and the other is not
hurt nor helped one species benefits and the other is not
hurt nor helped
Epiphytes are plants that grow on other
plants without harming them. They never set root in the
ground!
CommensalismCommensalismMoss growing on a treeMoss growing on a tree
+ +
+
+
-
0
When grazing cows walk around, they disturb the ground, which stirs up insects. Birds follow the cows
around and eat these insects.
When grazing cows walk around, they disturb the ground, which stirs up insects. Birds follow the cows
around and eat these insects.
+0
Commensalism
Cleaner shrimp living in the ocean eat ectoparasites off of larger fish. The cleaner fish get a meal and the
larger fish get rid of a parasite.
Cleaner shrimp living in the ocean eat ectoparasites off of larger fish. The cleaner fish get a meal and the
larger fish get rid of a parasite.
+
+ Mutualism
A botfly lays maggots inside a man's head, providing shelter and
nutrition for its young.
A botfly lays maggots inside a man's head, providing shelter and
nutrition for its young.
+-
Parasitism
Why is this parasitism instead of predation?
Ecological Succession• A series of predictable
changes that occurs in a community over time
• Occurs through slow changes after a sudden natural disaster (forest fire, volcano, glacier retreat) or from human activity (clearing of a forest)
Primary Succession• Occurs on surfaces where no soil exists (after a
volcanic eruption or after a glacier retreats)• First species to populate this area is called a pioneer
species – usually lichens.– Why are lichens usually pioneer species?
Secondary Succession• Occurs after a disturbance that destroys a
community without destroying the soil (wildfire, disease, clearing of a forest)
Succession in a Marine Ecosystem
• Also known as a “whale fall”• Occurs in 3 stages
Marine Succession• Stage 1
– Begins when a large whale dies and sinks to the ocean floor
– Attracts scavengers and decomposers (hagfish, sharks, crabs, shrimp), which eat the soft tissue
Marine Succession• Stage 2
– After 1 year, most of the soft tissue has been eaten– Decomposition of the body enriches the sediment
with nutrients, which attracts fish, crabs, and many marine snails and worms
Marine Succession• Stage 3
– Begins only when the skeleton remains– Bacteria decompose the oils inside the bones– The bacteria support a community of mussels,
marine snails, marine worms, crabs, and clams
