1. ECOLOGY
THE INTRODUCTION

2. Ecology
Study of the interactions of living organisms with each other and with their physical environment
Concerned with distribution and abundance of organisms at several different levels

3. Organismal ecology
How organisms are affected by, and affect, their environment
How organisms can tolerate where they live (environmental stresses)
Physiological ecology

4. Population ecology
Groups of individuals of the same species within a particular geographical area
Factors that affect population distribution, size

5. Community ecology All species that inhabit a particular area
Concerned with competition, predation, other interactions

6. Ecosystem ecology
All living organisms within an area, plus that part of the physical environment with which they interact
Concerns flow of energy, matter, biogeochemical cycling

7. Goals of Ecology???

8. Goals of ecology 1) To understand or explain how nature functions
2) To develop some degree of predictability concerning how natural ecosystems will respond to changing conditions
Especially important given the influences that humans often have on the environment

9. Scientific rigor
Science differs from other activities because statements are based on conclusions:
that are results of investigations meant to derive those conclusions (directed activity);
to which a level of confidence can be attached (statistics: Box 1.2, pp ; Box 1.3, pp ).

10. Think ahead!
Analysis plan is a part of experimental design

11. Conclusions
Based on representative samples from a larger group/habitat
Estimates from representative samples (Box 1.4, pp )
Free from human bias

12. Diversity of Ecological Evidence
1) Observations (descriptive data)
Careful monitoring within the natural environment to detect patterns

13. Diversity of Ecological Evidence
2) Field experiments
Manipulative experiments in the field to establish cause of observed patterns

14. Diversity of Ecological Evidence
3) Laboratory experiments
Controlled conditions
Simplified system
Address specific questions

15. Diversity of Ecological Evidence
4) Mathematical modeling
Computer-aided

16. “Seek simplicity, but distrust it.” - Whitehead 1953

17. Can simple experiments and models explain complex interactions in nature?