ECOLOGY Ecology (ee-KAHL-uh-jee) is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. Ecology (ee-KAHL-uh-jee) is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.interactions among organisms interactions among organisms Organizational levels of biology

Some great, BIG issues… BIG issuesBIG issues Pollution Acid rain Greenhouse effect Global warming El Ni n o La Nina Ice Age Mrs. De Peralta ‘08

What are some examples of living things? What is an organism? A Living Thing! Do monkeys, dogs and humans belong to the same species? To belong to the same species you must be able to successfully produce fertile offspring Trees, Plants, Animals, Bacteria VIDEO CLIP 1m 11s

What do you call a group of organisms that belong to the same species? What is it called when many different populations are living together in one area? Population Community We live in the community of Prince George’s County. What populations make up this community? Human Oak Tree Deer Squirrel

Levels of Organization Look closely at this picture. What does this level include that the previous levels did not? Mountains Water NON-LIVING THINGS

Some small questions… 1. What are some examples of living things found in our community? These are called BIOTIC FACTORS These are called BIOTIC FACTORS 2. What are some examples of non-living things found in our community? These are called ABIOTIC FACTORS These are called ABIOTIC FACTORS “Bio” means “Living” VIDEO CLIP 2m 49s

Living things/organisms Non-living things

It all starts with the… ENERGY

What does the prefix “auto” mean? As in AUTOPILOT! SELF Nourishment (feeding) What are examples of organisms that make their own food (AUTOTROPHS)? Autotrophs are also known as Producers

How do autotrophs produce their own food? Energy from The SUN!

Deep sea bacteria live at ocean depths too great for light to reach, thus photosynthesis cannot occur. Yet, these bacteria still make their own food (sugars). What is the source of energy for the bacteria? What is this process called? What if there is no sunlight? Chemosynthesis

What does the prefix “Hetero” mean? Other Nourishment (feeding) What are examples of organisms that eat other organisms (HETEROTROPHS)? Heterotrophs are also known as Consumers

Heterotrophs HERBIVORES CARNIVORES OMNIVORES DETRITIVORES DECOMPOSERS Plants only Animals only Plants and Animals Detritus only Break down organic matter

Energy moves along a pathway What happens to the energy in an ecosystem when one organism eats another?

Which of these describes the role of the red oak in the forest food web? A. omnivore B. parasite C. herbivore D. producer

Corals are marine animals that often live in tropical seas. Many types of corals have unicellular algae living in their tissues. The algae provide up to 98 percent of the corals' food. The corals provide protection and inorganic nutrients for the algae. Corals are marine animals that often live in tropical seas. Many types of corals have unicellular algae living in their tissues. The algae provide up to 98 percent of the corals' food. The corals provide protection and inorganic nutrients for the algae. Algae leave the coral when the water is too warm. What kind of factor is temperature on this relationship? Algae leave the coral when the water is too warm. What kind of factor is temperature on this relationship? A. Biotic B. Abiotic C. Parasitic D. Commensalistic

An ecosystem contains organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Which of these is the best indicator of a healthy ecosystem? An ecosystem contains organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment. Which of these is the best indicator of a healthy ecosystem? A. There are few decomposers. B. There are many different species. C. There are few herbivores. D. There is a large population of only one species.

Describe the flow of energy in the wetland food web. In your response, be sure to: Name the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the heron Identify the trophic levels of the different organisms in the wetland food web Describe how the energy is transferred between the organisms in the wetland food web Explain how the other organisms in the wetland ecosystem would be affected by the sudden disappearance of the heron population BCR

Food Web Interactive food_menu.html food_menu.html