1. Populations and Communities
Chapter 1 Sections 1-3

2. Ecology
The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, or surroundings.
Origin of the word:
Greek word – oikos (which means “house”)
Thus- ecology means the study of natures house

3. Levels of Organization
Species: group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce fertile offspring
Population: groups of individuals that belong to the same species that live in the same area
Communities: assemblages of different populations hat live together in a defined area
Ecosystem: the community of organisms that live in a particular area, along with their nonliving (abiotic) surroundings

5. Habitat and Biotic/Abiotic Factors
Habitat: An environment that provides an organism with its needs to live, grow and reproduce.
Biotic Factors: the living parts of a habitat
Ex: animals and plants
Abiotic Factors: the nonliving part of a habitat
Ex: temperature, sunlight, water

6. Determining Populations - Methods
Direct observation: counting all the members in an area
Indirect observation: counting the “signs” of an organism and estimating the population (ex: nests of an animal)
Sampling: approximation of a population by counting a smaller area
Mark and Recapture: Catch a number of individuals, mark them. Return to the area at a later date and catch individuals again. Mathematically compare the number originally marked to the number recaptured.

7. Changes in Population Size
Birth rate/death rate: the number of individuals that are born or die over a specific time
Birth Rate > Death Rate = Pop. Increases
Death Rate > Birth Rate = Pop Decreases
Immigration: individuals moving INTO a population
Emigration: individuals leaving or EXITING a population

8. Limiting Factors in Population Size
Food and water: Because organisms require food and water, the amount of resources will determine the populations carrying capacity
Space: organisms need a certain amount of space to thrive, if this space is not available the population will decrease
Weather: conditions, such as temperature or rainfall, can limit populations.
Carrying Capacity: the largest population that an area can support

9. What options an organism have if it’s needs are not met in it’s current environment?
1. migrate to better place
2. adapt to fit environment
3. die

10. Interactions Among Living Things
Natural Selection: the process that occurs over time where a characteristic that makes an individual better suited to their environment becomes common
Adaptation: a behavior and/or physical characteristic that allows an organism to live successfully
Ex: finches (beaks), fish (gills)

11. Types of Animal Interactions:
Competition
Predation
Symbiosis

12. Competition
Competition occurs when two or more individuals seek to utilize the same resource
Siafu or Driver Ants (Hymenoptera) of Africa out compete and consume everything that crosses its path, even cows!!!

13. Predation
Predation describes an interaction where a predator species kills and eats other organisms, known as prey.
Predation can greatly effect population size
Too many predators causes a decrease in prey population which then causes a decrease in predators.
Predators/prey populations rise and fall in cycles

14. Adaptations of Predators and Prey
Predators have adapted to become better and more efficient
Ex. Hunting at night, speed, eyes in the front of their head
Prey have also adapted to avoid being eaten
Mimicry
False coloring
Warning colors
Camouflage

15. Symbiosis
Symbiosis is a close ecological relationship between the individuals of two or more species that benefits at least one of the species
Mutualism, commensalism, parasitism,

16. Mutualism
Mutualism is an association between organisms of two different species in which each member benefits.
Ants (Hymenoptera) protect the aphids (Aphididae) and the aphids provide honeydew for the ants

17. Commensalism
Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship between two organisms of different species in which one derives some benefit while the other is unaffected.
Pseudoscorpions hitching ride on a fly’s (Diptera) leg

18. Parasitism
Parasitism is a form of symbiosis in which one species benefits at the expense of another species; similar to predation, but acts more slowly than predators and may not always kill the host.
Parasitized caterpillar (Lepidoptera), covered with wasp (Hymenoptera) pupae which have consumed all internal tissue except vital organs