Introduction to Ecology

What is Ecology? Study of organism interactions with other organisms and the environment

Habitat & Niche Habitat is the place a plant or animal lives Niche is an organism’s total way of life

What shapes an Ecosystem? Biotic factors: all living organisms within an ecosystem ie – animals, fungus, plants, bacteria Abiotic factors: physical and non-living factors within an ecosystem ie – soil type, sunlight, temperature, precipitation

What are the Simplest Levels? Atom Molecule Organelle Cell Tissue Organ System

Levels of Organization Species Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere

1st Level of Organization Organism: An individual living thing that is made of cells, uses energy, reproduces, responds, grows, and develops Ex: 1 zebra

Population Groups of the same species that live in one particular area Ex: all elephants that live in the African savanna

Community Groups of different populations that live in a particular area. Ex. All living things found in the African savanna such as elephants, giraffes, lions, grasses, trees, etc

Ecosystem All living AND non-living components to a particular area Ex. All the animals of the African savanna plus the climate such as temperature, precipitation and soil type

Biome Group of ecosystems that have the same climate and communities Ex: Savanna

6th Level of Organization Biosphere: The portion of Earth that supports life.

What level of Organization? Species/Population

Energy Flow Through an Ecosystem Food Chains, Food Webs, Energy Pyramids

6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2 Energy Flow Main source of Energy – SUN Autotrophs/Producers – use sunlight or chemicals to produce organic compounds 6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2

The energy that is not used by producers can be passed on to organisms that cannot make their own food.

Heterotrophs/consumers – must take in organic compounds in order to make energy Primary Consumers or Herbivores – only eat plants Secondary Consumers or Carnivores – only eat animals Tertiary/Quartenary Consumers or Omnivores – eat both plants and animals Detritivores – eat dead material Decomposers – break down organic matter

Trophic Levels Shows the amount of energy contained at each level Three types: Energy pyramids Biomass pyramids Pyramids of numbers

Energy Pyramids Organisms need energy They get energy from food Use energy in respiration, movement , reproduction Only 10% of energy is passed from one trophic level to the next

Energy Pyramids

Energy Pyramids Show Amount of available energy decreases down the food chain It takes a large number of producers to support a small number of primary consumers

Biomass Pyramid Biomass – total amount of living tissue within a trophic level Grams of organic matter/unit area Shows amount of potential food

Pyramid

Food Chains Show Available Energy

Pyramid of Numbers Shows the number of individual organisms in each trophic level

The transfer of energy from the sun to producer to primary consumer then to higher order consumers can be shown in a FOOD CHAIN.

Food Webs: Are interconnected food chains They show the feeding relationships in an ecosystem

Identify the Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers: Count the Food Chains!