I. Ecology Connections in Nature

Ecology A. Ecology – from the Greek oikos (“house” or “place to live”) B. Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another in their environment.

Ecology C. Ecology deals mainly with the interactions between organisms, populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.                                                      

II. Organisms and Species A. An organism is a form of life. Organisms can be classified into species. B. Scientists have no concrete idea how many species exist on earth. Barking Tree Frog

Organisms and Species C. Estimates range between 5 million to 100 million species exist (most microscopic organisms and insects) D. So far scientist have named only about 1.4 million species.

III. Populations and Communities A. A population is a group of individuals of the same species occupying a given area at the same time B. Ex. Cactus in the desert, frogs in a pond                 

Populations and Communities C. In most populations individuals of the same species vary in their genetic make up – they don’t all look or act alike. D. This is called genetic diversity E. Genetic diversity is crucial if a population is to survive.

Populations and Communities F. The place where an organism normally lives is its habitat.

Populations and Communities G. Populations of all the different species occupying a particular habitat make up a biological community.

IV. Ecosystems A. An ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with one another in a non-living environment

Ecosystems B. The size of an ecosystem is arbitrary and defined by the system being studied C. All of the earth’s ecosystems together make up the biosphere

Ecosystems D. Climate – long term weather – is the main factor in determining what type of life can live in a certain area.

Ecosystems How is this organism adapted to the climate it lives in?                 

Ecosystems E. Scientists have divided the terrestrial portion of the the biosphere into biomes. F. Biomes are large regions characterized by certain climates and inhabited by certain types of animals and vegetation.

Ecosystems Tropical rain forest Tropical dry forest Tropical savanna Temperate woodland and shrubland Desert Temperate grassland Boreal forest (Taiga) Northwestern coniferous forest Temperate forest Mountains and ice caps Tundra

V. Biodiversity A. Biodiversity (biological diversity) means different kinds of life. 1. Genetic diversity – the variability in genetic make up within a population 2. Species diversity – the variety of species on earth 3. Ecological diversity – all the different types of biological communities on earth. Ex. Wetlands, forests, estuaries.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity B. We depend on the “bio-capitol” to survive. C. All organisms on Earth are interdependent D. We rely on the environment for water, air, energy, food, and medicine. E. The Earth is a precious resource that we should work to preserve.

What Do We Find in Ecosystems Ecology Rocks, Uh Huh !! Ecology What Do We Find in Ecosystems

I. The Biosphere can be broken into two parts A. Living or biotic components Ex. Chameleons, plants B. Non –living or abiotic components Ex. Rocks, air , water

II. Producers A. Sometimes called autotrophs (self feeders) B. Producers can make the nutrients they need to survive from the compounds in their environment. C. In land ecosystems most producers are green plants D. In aquatic ecosystems most are phytoplankton (floating bacteria and protists – mostly microscopic)

F. Though plants do most of the planet’s Producers E. Most producers use sunlight to make food by photosynthesis. 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy -- C6H12O6 + 6O2 F. Though plants do most of the planet’s photosynthesis, bacteria invented the process. Photosynthetic bacteria still exist.

Producers G. A few producers – mainly specialized bacteria produce nutrients without using sunlight. H. Chemosynthesis – heat is used to convert inorganic compounds into nutrients. Ex. Bacteria that live near hot vents on ocean floor Producers… Yeah, Yeah,Yeah !

Producers Riftia Tube Worms:Larvae attach themselves to the lava near vents then build long, white tubes as they grow. Each tube absorbs sulfurous water that a sac of bacteria inside the worm uses to generate energy and food for the worm.

III. Consumers A. Consumers or heterotrophs get their nutrients from feeding on the other organisms.

Consumers B. There are several classes of consumers depending on their food source. 1. Herbivores- plant eaters, called primary consumers because they feed directly on other producers

Consumers 2. Carnivores – meat eaters, feed on other consumers 3. Omnivores – eat both plants and animals

Primary Consumers (ex. Rabbit) IV. Energy Flow Tertiary consumers Secondary Consumers (ex. Fox) Primary Consumers (ex. Rabbit) Producers (ex. Grass)

Energy Flow A. The survival of any organism depends on the flow of energy through its body B. The community of organisms in an ecosystem survives by matter recycling and one way energy flow. C. Decomposers complete the cycling of matter by breaking down detritus into usable nutrients. We got the flow!!

V. Limiting Factors A. Too much or too little of any factor in the environment can limit the growth of a population, even if all other factors are present. B. Limiting factors in land ecosystems include: temperature, water, light, nutrients.

Limiting Factors C. Limiting factors in aquatic ecosystems include: salinity, dissolved oxygen content, nutrients, light,and temperature.

Carrying Capacity D. Carrying capacity is the number of organisms an area can support based on the limiting factors present My, how Interesting!

VI. Symbiosis A. Symbiosis “living together” B. Kinds of Symbiosis 1. Mutualism - both species benefit a. Ex. Ants and the Acacia Tree i. Ants protect the tree ii. Tree provides nectar and home for ants                

Symbiosis 2. Commensalisms – one organism benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed. a. Ex. Clownfish and Sea Anemones i.the clownfish is protected by the nematocysts of the sea anemone ii. the sea anemone is neither helped or harmed.

Symbiosis 3. Parasitism – one organism is helped while the other is harmed. a. ex. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of other animals That’s the End …Uh!