What is Ecology 3-1

Ecology Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment Organisms and their environment are interdependent, everything in the environment needs each other to survive! Organisms and their environment are interdependent, everything in the environment needs each other to survive!

Biosphere The biosphere is all the parts of earth where life exists, including land, water, and air The biosphere is all the parts of earth where life exists, including land, water, and air

Levels of Organization To understand relationships within the biosphere, ecologist ask questions about events and organisms that range in complexity from a single individual to the entire biosphere To understand relationships within the biosphere, ecologist ask questions about events and organisms that range in complexity from a single individual to the entire biosphere Scientists study these relationships at many levels: species, populations, communities, ecosystem, biome and biosphere Scientists study these relationships at many levels: species, populations, communities, ecosystem, biome and biosphere

Species A species is a group of organisms so similar that they can breed and produce fertile offspring. A species is a group of organisms so similar that they can breed and produce fertile offspring.

Populations Populations are groups of the same species living in the same area. Populations are groups of the same species living in the same area.

Communities Communities are groups of different species living in the same area

Ecosystem An ecosystem is a collections of all the organisms that live in an area together with all the nonliving parts of the environment. An ecosystem is a collections of all the organisms that live in an area together with all the nonliving parts of the environment.

Ecological Methods Ecologist conduct research using 3 basic approaches: observing, experimenting and modeling Ecologist conduct research using 3 basic approaches: observing, experimenting and modeling

Observing Usually the first step in asking questions. Usually the first step in asking questions. Typically involves using your senses to help answer basic questions Typically involves using your senses to help answer basic questions What species live here? What species live here? How many individuals live in the area? How many individuals live in the area?

Experimenting Experiments can be used to test hypotheses Experiments can be used to test hypotheses Ecologist set up tests to imitate and manipulate conditions that organisms would encounter in the natural world Ecologist set up tests to imitate and manipulate conditions that organisms would encounter in the natural world

Modeling Models help ecologist gain insight into complex phenomena such as the effects of global warming on ecosystems Models help ecologist gain insight into complex phenomena such as the effects of global warming on ecosystems Many models use mathematical formulas based on data collected through observation and experiments. Many models use mathematical formulas based on data collected through observation and experiments.