Interactions Among Organisms

What is Ecology? Ecology is the study of organisms and the living and non-living parts of their environment. Ecology is the study of organisms and the living and non-living parts of their environment. There are many levels of organization in ecology. Levels include: There are many levels of organization in ecology. Levels include: Biosphere – all the area on the surface of earth and in the atmosphere that supports life Biosphere – all the area on the surface of earth and in the atmosphere that supports life Biome – large area characterized by climate and particular plants and animals Biome – large area characterized by climate and particular plants and animals Ecosystem – a group of organisms living together and the environment around them Ecosystem – a group of organisms living together and the environment around them Community – all of the interacting populations in an area Community – all of the interacting populations in an area Population – all of the organisms of the same species living in an area Population – all of the organisms of the same species living in an area Organism – A single living thing Organism – A single living thing

Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors Abiotic Factors are all of the non-living components of the ecosystem. Abiotic Factors are all of the non-living components of the ecosystem. Examples would be: Examples would be: 1. Water 2. Sunlight 3. Oxygen 4. Temperature 5. Soil Biotic Factors are all of the living components of the ecosystem. Biotic Factors are all of the living components of the ecosystem. Examples would be: 1. Plants 2. Insects 3. Larger animals

Which level is it? Identify the level of ecological organization represented by each picture. Identify the level of ecological organization represented by each picture. A herd of buffalo. A herd of buffalo.

Which level is it? All of the living and non-living parts of a pond All of the living and non-living parts of a pond

Which level is it? African savannah African savannah

Habitat The habitat is the place where an organism lives. The habitat is the place where an organism lives. An environment that provides the things the organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce is called its habitat. An environment that provides the things the organism needs to live, grow, and reproduce is called its habitat. Several species can live in the same habitat but will use the resources in different ways. Several species can live in the same habitat but will use the resources in different ways.

Niche A niche is the role of an organism in its habitat or how it makes its living. A niche is the role of an organism in its habitat or how it makes its living. A niche includes the type of food the organism eats, how it obtains this food, and which other organisms use the organism as food. A niche includes the type of food the organism eats, how it obtains this food, and which other organisms use the organism as food. A niche also includes when and how the organism reproduces and the physical conditions that it requires to survive. A niche also includes when and how the organism reproduces and the physical conditions that it requires to survive.

Ecological Relationships Ecological Relationships can be classified as: competition, predation, or symbiosis. Ecological Relationships can be classified as: competition, predation, or symbiosis.

Competition Competition is the struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resource. Competition is the struggle between organisms to survive as they attempt to use the same limited resource. Organisms compete for: food, water, and living space. Organisms compete for: food, water, and living space.

Predation In predation, one organism, the predator, kills and eats another, the prey. In predation, one organism, the predator, kills and eats another, the prey. The relationship of predator and prey is essential to keeping populations of both animals at normal levels.

Defense Strategies Mimicry: look like something else to trick would-be predators Mimicry: look like something else to trick would-be predators Protective covering: hard outer shell Protective covering: hard outer shell False coloring: like “false eyespots” to trick would-be predators False coloring: like “false eyespots” to trick would-be predators Warning coloring: tell predators not to eat it Warning coloring: tell predators not to eat it Camouflage: blend in with surroundings Camouflage: blend in with surroundings

Symbiosis is a close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species. There are three types of symbiosis: There are three types of symbiosis: 1. Mutualism 2. Commensalism 3. Parasitism

Mutualism In mutualism, both organisms benefit from one another. In mutualism, both organisms benefit from one another. For example: A clownfish and a sea anemone have a mutualistic relationship. The fish is protected by the anemone and the anemone receives scraps of food from the clownfish.

Commensalism In commensalism, one organism benefits from the other. The other organism is neither helped nor harmed. In commensalism, one organism benefits from the other. The other organism is neither helped nor harmed. This is usually a relationship between a small organism and a larger organism where the smaller organism benefits. This is usually a relationship between a small organism and a larger organism where the smaller organism benefits. The benefit is usually shelter, transportation, defense, or food. The benefit is usually shelter, transportation, defense, or food.

Commensalism An example is the relationship of the remora and the shark. The remora receives food in the form of scraps that come from the shark, but the shark is unaffected. An example is the relationship of the remora and the shark. The remora receives food in the form of scraps that come from the shark, but the shark is unaffected.

Parasitism In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed. In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed. The organism that benefits is called the parasite. The organism that is harmed is called the host.

Parasitism Tapeworms and liver flukes are examples of parasites that live in the bodies of other organisms (endoparasites). They feed off the host and cause disease. Tapeworms and liver flukes are examples of parasites that live in the bodies of other organisms (endoparasites). They feed off the host and cause disease.

Summary of Symbiotic Relationships Relationship Organism 1 Organism 2 Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism

Which relationship is it? An American robin builds a nest in a red maple tree An American robin builds a nest in a red maple tree

Which relationship is it? A tick makes its home on a white-tailed deer A tick makes its home on a white-tailed deer

Which relationship is it? A Nile crocodile will open its mouth and allow the Egyptian plover to feed on any leeches that are attached to its gums A Nile crocodile will open its mouth and allow the Egyptian plover to feed on any leeches that are attached to its gums

Which relationship is it? A red fox hunts and consumes a black rat snake A red fox hunts and consumes a black rat snake

Which relationship is it? A certain type of paramecium engulfs unicellular green algae into vacuoles within its cell. The algae are allowed to utilize carbon dioxide produced by the paramecium and the paramecium is able to utilize food produced by the algae. A certain type of paramecium engulfs unicellular green algae into vacuoles within its cell. The algae are allowed to utilize carbon dioxide produced by the paramecium and the paramecium is able to utilize food produced by the algae.