1. Ecology of Populations

2. Scope of Ecology
Ecology - Study of the interactions of organisms with other organisms and the physical environment.
Habitat - Place where an organism lives.
Population - All the organisms within an area belonging to the same species.
Community - All various populations interacting at same locale.
Ecosystem - Community of populations.

3. Ecological Levels

4. Density and Distribution of Populations
Population Density - Number of individuals per unit area or volume.
Population Distribution - Pattern of dispersal of individuals within the area of interest.

5. Population Growth Models
Exponential Growth
Number of individuals added each generation increases as the total number of females increases.
Biotic Potential - Maximum population growth that can possibly occur under ideal circumstances.
Environmental Resistance - All environmental conditions that prevent populations from achieving biotic potential.

6. Logistic Growth

7. Carrying Capacity
Carrying Capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a given species the environment can support.
The closer the population to the carrying capacity, the greater the environmental resistance.
Biotic potential is having full effect and birthrate is a maximum during exponential growth.

8. Regulation of Population Size
Density - Dependent Factors
Number of organisms present influences the effect of the factor.
Competition
Predation
Density - Independent Factors
Number of organisms present does not influence the effect of the factor.
Natural Disasters

9. Life History Patterns
r - Strategists (Opportunistic)
Produce large numbers of offspring.
Small body size.
Early maturity
No parental care.
Density independent controls.
Good dispersers and colonizers.

10. Life History Patterns
k - Strategists (Equilibrium)
Produce small numbers of offspring.
Large body size.
Late maturity
Significant parental care.
Density dependent controls.
Specialists

11. Environmental Impact
Environmental impact of a population is measured in terms of:
Population Size
Resource Consumption Per Capita
Resultant Pollution

12. Community Ecology

13. Community Concept
A community is an assemblage of populations interacting with one another within the same environment.
Composition is a listing of various species in the community.
Diversity includes both species richness and species diversity.

14. Habitat and Ecological Niche
Habitat is the area an organism lives and reproduces in.
Ecological niche is the role an organism plays in its community, including its habitat and its interactions with other organisms.
Fundamental niche - All conditions under which the organism can survive.
Realized niche - Set of conditions under which it exists in nature.

15. Predator-Prey Interactions
Predation occurs when one living organism, the predator, feeds on another, the prey.
Presence of predators can decrease prey densities, and vice-versa.

16. Prey Defenses
Prey defenses are mechanisms that thwart the possibility of being eaten by a predator.
Spines
Tough Epidermis
Poisonous Chemicals
Camouflage
Bright Coloration
Flocking Behavior

17. Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis refers to interactions in which there is a close relationship between members of two populations.
Parasitism
Parasite derives nourishment from a host, and may use host as habitat and mode of transmission.
Endoparasites
Ectoparasites

18. Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiosis refers to interactions in which there is a close relationship between members of two populations.
Parasitism
Parasite derives nourishment from a host, and may use host as habitat and mode of transmission.
Endoparasites
Ectoparasites

19. Commensalism
Commensalism is a symbiotic relationship in which one species is benefited and the other is neither benefited nor harmed.
Ex: Remoras and Sharks
Many examples may turn out to be mutualism or parasitism.
Amount of harm or benefit two species do to one another is partially determined by the investigator.

20. Mutualism
Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship in which both members of the association benefit.
Often help organisms obtain food or avoid predation.
Bacteria in human intestinal tact.
Need not be equally beneficial to both species.

21. Predation, Competition, and Biodiversity
In certain communities, predation by a particular species reduces competition and increases diversity.
Predators that regulate competition and maintain community diversity are referred to as keystone predators.
Introduction of exotic species into a new area may lead to unbridled competition and resultant reduction in biodiversity.

22. Ecosystems

23. Nature of Ecosystems
Biosphere is part of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere that contains living organisms.
An ecosystem where organisms interact.
Ecosystems characterized by:
One-Way flow of energy.
Cycle of materials from abiotic environment through biotic community.

24. Energy Balances

25. Ecological Pyramids
A trophic level is composed of all the organisms that feed at a particular link in a food chain.
In general, only about 10% of the energy of one trophic level is available to the next trophic level.
Explains why few carnivores can be supported in a food web.

26. Hydrologic Cycle

27. Carbon Cycle

28. The Nitrogen Cycle

29. Phosphorus Cycle

30. Sources of Water Pollution

31. The Biosphere

32. Biome Distribution

33. Climate and Biomes

34. Zones of a Lake

36. Conservation Biology

37. Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
Conservation biology studies all aspects of biodiversity with the goal of conserving natural resources for this generation and future generations.
Primary goal is the management of biodiversity for sustainable use by humans.

38. Value of Biodiversity
Direct Value
Medicinal Value
Agricultural Value
Crops
Biological Pest Controls
Pollinators
Consumptive Use Value
Wood
Skins

39. Causes of Extinction
Habitat Loss
Occurred in all ecosystems, but recent concern focused on tropical rain forests and coral reefs.
Habitat Fragmentation

40. Pollution
Pollution can be defined as any environmental change that adversely affects the lives and health of living things.
Acid Deposition
Eutrophication
Ozone Depletion
Organic Chemicals
Global Warming

41. Sources:
Mader: Biology 8th Ed.
Raven & Johnson: Biology 8th Ed.

42. This project is funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community Based Job Training Grant as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (CB ). NCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the following basis: against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, political affiliation or belief; and against any beneficiary of programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), on the basis of the beneficiary’s citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or his or her participation in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.
Mader: Biology 8th Ed.

43. Disclaimer
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Mader: Biology 8th Ed.