ECOLOGY Chapter 2.1 Organisms and Their Environment

I. Sharing the World Species: single organism of one type – i.e. cat vs. dog Species/Organisms interact with their environments – Animals depend on food, water, shelter from environment Ecology: Studying the interaction between organisms and their environment

Ecological Research Scientists observe nature and record interactions They study organisms and populations of organisms habits, adaptations, behavior, and evolution

II. The Biosphere Biosphere: basically Earth and the atmosphere – the biosphere is said to support all life – High in atmosphere to bottom of the ocean Think about the varieties of environments on Earth – Climates, temperatures, plants, animals

II. The Biosphere Remember the concept of living vs. non-living things? Abiotic factors: non-living components in an ecosystem – Air, light, temperature, soil, water

II. The Biosphere Biotic factors: living organisms in the environment – Animals, plants (all species)

Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors

III. Levels of Organization C.T.O.OS.O.P.C.E.B. Ecologists also study interactions between organisms of the same species Study interactions between populations Study interactions between different species

III. Levels of Organization Population: group of the same species Community: groups of different populations together Ecosystem: groups of communities interacting along with the abiotic factors in the environment

IV. Organisms in Ecosystems Each organism in an ecosystem has a role…a job…a part it plays in the balance of nature Niche: the way an organism obtains it’s nutrients and energy – the part an organism basically plays in a food chain Habitat: the place where an organism lives – An organisms environment

IV. Organisms in Ecosystems Habitats can contain many niches The more niches in an ecosystem, the greater the biodiversity of the ecosystem – Tropical rain forest vs. Desert – Tundra vs. Temperate forest (North Carolina) The fewer niches, the greater the competition between species for their needs – Food, space, shelter, etc

Habitat vs. a Niche

V. Survival Relationships Symbiosis/Symbiotic Relationships: – Word used to describe relationship between 2 organisms of different species – 3 types Mutualism (+, +) Commensalism (+, x) Parasitism (+, -)

V. Survival Relationships Mutualism – When both species benefit from the relationship – Plants and bees for pollination and nectar – Some animals species

V. Survival Relationships Commensalism – One species benefits – Other neither harmed nor benefits (no effect) – Sea anemone and clown fish – Tree and plants that use tree to reach sunlight (orchid plant)

Barnacles and Whales: Commensalism

V. Survival Relationships Parasitism – One organism benefits – Other is harmed. – “parasites” Ticks Fleas Tapeworms Leeches Mosquitoes

Competition, Predator/Prey, Symbiosis and Succession