1. Introduction to Ecology

2. Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

3. Levels of Organization

4. Organism: A complete living unit which make up a: –Species: A group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce viable offspring. This is the same level of organization.

5. Levels of Organization Population: All members of a single species in an ecosystem.

6. Levels of Organization Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

7. Levels of Organization Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment.

8. Levels of Organization Biomes: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. These are usually classified according to the predominant vegetation. Also, fresh water and marine biomes

9. Levels of Organization The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems). This includes all: –Land –Water –Air (atmosphere)

10. Levels of Organization The biosphere extends about 8 km above the Earth’s surface and as far as 11 km below the surface of the ocean.

11. Ecological Methods Ecologist use a wide range of tools and techniques to study the living world. Binoculars Field guides Soil/Water Test kits Etc……..

12. Ecological Methods Regardless of the tools they use, scientists conduct modern ecological research using three basic approaches.

13. Ecological Methods Observing: This is usually the first step in asking ecological questions? Most questions are simple: What species live here? How many individuals of each species are there?

14. Ecological Methods Observations (cont.) Many observations can lead to more complex questions and may form the first step in designing experiments and models. What is the effects do humans have on the environment?

15. Ecological Methods Experimenting: Experiments can be used to test hypotheses. May use artificial environments in a lab. Other experiments are conduct in the natural ecosystem.

16. Ecological Methods Modeling: Many ecological phenomena occur over long periods of time and on very large scales which make them difficult to study. Example: Global Warming Most models consist of mathematical formulas based on data collected through observation and experimentation. Predictions made by ecological modeling are often tested by further observations.

17. Quiz Questions You have 15 – 20 minutes to study for a quiz based on the following questions: 1.List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest. 2.Define each of the six levels of organization. 3.Suppose you wanted to know if the water in the Carson River is safe to drink. Which ecological method(s) would you choose and why?

18. Question #1 Define Organism.

19. Question #2 Define Biome

20. Question #3 Define Population:

21. Question #4 Define Ecosystem:

22. Question #5 Define Biosphere

23. Question #6 Define Community

24. Question #7 List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest.

25. Answers Organism: A complete living unit which make up a species Biome: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. Population: All members of a single species in an ecosystem. Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment. Biosphere: The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems). Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

26. Answers 7.