Moretz, 10th grade science 2007-2008 Ecology Moretz, 10th grade science 2007-2008

Outline Roles of organisms in the ecosystem. Interactions of organisms in the ecosystem. Symbiosis Predator-prey Competition Population ecology Exponential growth Carrying capacity Limiting factors

Ecology Study of the living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in the environment.

Species Species – group of organisms that share similar characteristics and are able to reproduce among themselves to produce fertile offspring.

Population Population – organisms of the same species occupying the same area at the same time

Community Community – all of the populations in an area.

Ecosystem Ecosystem – all of the living and nonliving things in an area Abiotic – nonliving things in the ecosystem Biotic – living things in the ecosystem

Roles of Organisms in the Ecosystem Producer – organism that is able to photosynthesize to get food. Autotroph - organism that is able to photosynthesize to get food.

Roles of Organisms in the Ecosystem Consumer – organism that must eat another organism to get food. Heterotroph - organism that must eat another organism to get food.

Types of Consumers Herbivore – consumer that only eats producers

Types of Consumers Carnivore – consumer that only eats other consumers

Types of Consumers Omnivore – consumer that eats both producers and consumers

Types of Consumers Scavenger – animal that feeds off of organisms that were killed by another organism

Types of Consumers Decomposer organisms that break down organic material broken down organic material is then used by the producers and are passed through the food chain Ex. bacteria

Food Chain A unidirectional, linear feeding relationship between organisms. Shows how an organism gets food in the ecosystem.

Food Web All of the food chains in the ecosystem. Shows how energy is recycled through the ecosystem.

Food Web Producer Tertiary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Primary Consumer Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Secondary, Consumer Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Primary Consumer Producer Primary Consumer

Trophic Levels Each level in a food chain of food web. Trophic level = food level 1st trophic level is ALWAYS Producers. Each level depends on the level below it for energy.

Secondary Consumer Primary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Quaternary Consumer Producer

Trophic Levels 3rd Trophic Level 2nd Trophic Level 4th Trophic Level 1st Trophic Level

Ecological Pyramids Energy pyramid - Drawing of the amount of energy at each trophic level in a food web. Pyramid of Numbers – Drawing of the number of organisms at each trophic level

Producer Producer

Primary Consumer Primary Consumer Primary Consumer

Secondary Consumer Secondary Consumer

1st Trophic Level 1st Trophic Level

2nd Trophic Level 2nd Trophic Level 2nd Trophic Level

3rd Trophic Level 3rd Trophic Level

Name the Producer, Consumers & Decomposers in this food chain:

Relationships in the Food Web Symbiotic relationships Producer Consumer Predator prey Competition

Symbiosis A close, long-term relationship between two or more organisms of different species. At least one organism benefits from the relationship. Types: Parasitism Mutualism Commensalism

Symbiosis Host – larger organism in a symbiotic relationship Symbiont – smaller organism in a symbiotic relationship.

Parasitism Close, long-term relationship in which one organism is harmed while the other organism benefits. Ex. Tick feeding on your blood.

Mutualism Close, long-term relationship in which both organisms benefit. Ex. E.coli living in your stomach. The E.coli gets nutrients from the food you eat, and the E.coli helps you digest the food.

Commensalism Close, long-term relationship in which one organism benefits and one organism neither benefits nor is harmed. Ex. Barnacles live on whales. The barnacles get food and shelter and the whale is unharmed.

Competition Two or more organisms attempt to use the same scarce resource. Organisms may compete for space, food, water, mates, light, & nutrients

Niche Niche All of an organism’s interactions with: its physical environment other organisms The “role” an organism has in its ecosystem

Types of Niche Two types of niches: Fundamental Niche Realized Niche

Fundamental Niche Niche an organism could potentially use within an ecosystem. Ex. A Jaguar hunts during the day and night; feeds on mammals, fish, and turtles; and give birth between June & August.

Realized Niche Part of the fundamental niche that an organism actually uses. Determined by competition. Ex. A Jaguar hunts during the day and night but is only able to feed on fish; it gives birth between June & August.

Zones I, II, & III Zones II & III B: Zones II & III C: Zone I

Niche Overlap Species may share parts of another species’ niche, but different species NEVER have the same niche. Niche overlap Shared part of the niche. Competition occurs where niches overlap.

Niche Overlap Leopard Algae

Niche Overlap Hawk Owl

Niche Overlap Hawk Owl Shared Resources Competition

Example: Tale of Two Anoles The Ecological Niche Example: Tale of Two Anoles Green Anole Brown Anole

The Ecological Niche Fundamental vs. Realized Niche COMPETITION Fundamental Niche of Green Anole Fundamental Niche of Brown Anole Overlap Brown anole out-competes green anole, therefore . . .

The Ecological Niche Fundamental vs. Realized Niche Realized Niche of Green Anole Realized Niche of Brown Anole Overlap

The Ecological Niche Competitive Exclusion - no 2 species can occupy the same niche indefinitely. - one species is excluded from part of the niche because of interspecific competition.

The Ecological Niche Competitive Exclusion

The Ecological Niche Competitive Exclusion

Results of Competition More unique niches. Species share less of each other’s niche. Competitive exclusion The process in which one species is out-competed and dies out within an ecosystem.

Types of Competitors Generalist – species that are able to use many different resources & has a broad niche. Specialist – species that uses specific resources & has a narrow niche.

Succession Succession Change in a community over time. Caused by COMPETITION Species presently living in a community are out-competed; different species move into the ecosystem.

Types of Succession Primary Succession: Secondary Succession: Occurs where plants and soil did NOT previously exist. Secondary Succession: Occurs in an area where plants and soil previously existed.

Biological Communities Primary succession – Rocks Lichens Mosses

Biological Communities Primary succession – Rocks Lichens Mosses Grasses Shrubs

Biological Communities Primary succession – Rocks Lichens Mosses Grasses Shrubs Trees

Secondary Succession

Succession Species Pioneer species - 1st plants to grow in a changing habitat. Climax species - final plants to inhabit the mature stages of a habitat.

Exponential Growth Describes the rate of growth of a population. Caused by doubling the number of organisms in a population.

Limiting Factor Abiotic factor that limits the growth of a population. Ex. Water, temperature, food, space, light.

Carrying Capacity Maximum number of organisms in a population an area can support.