1. What is Ecology? This Powerpoint is hosted on www.worldofteaching.comwww.worldofteaching.com Please visit for 1000+ free powerpoints

2. Origin of the word…”ecology” Greek origin OIKOS = household LOGOS = study of… Study of the “house/environment” in which we live.

3. Ecology is study of interactions between non-living components in the environment… light water wind nutrients in soil heat solar radiation atmosphere, etc. AND…

4. Living organisms… Plants Animals microorganisms in soil, etc.

5. To study Ecology involves… For non-living (abiotic) Climatology Hydrology Oceanography Physics Chemistry Geology soil analysis, etc. For living (biotic) animal behavior Taxonomy Physiology mathematics (population studies) etc.

6. Ecology… views each locale as an integrated whole of interdependent parts that function as a unit. tundra caribou

7. The interdependent parts are…

8. Nonliving dead organic matter nutrients in the soil and water. Producers green plants Tundra

9. Consumers herbivores and carnivores Decomposers fungi and bacteria Tundra Caribou

10. ECOLOGY: Levels of Organization - a hierarchy of organization in the environment

11. Levels of organization - Terms Biosphere Surface of the earth Composed of many ecosystems Ecosystem Large or small as we decide Backyard, O’Melveney Park, Hedge along Room 110, etc.

12. Levels of organization - Terms Population – one species live in one place at one time Community – All populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area.

13. Levels of organization - Terms Habitat – physical location of community Organism – simplest level of organization

14. Very complex Can contain 100’s to 1000’s of interacting species.

15. THEN… Ecology is an integrated and dynamic study of the environment.