2. Ecology

3. The study of the interactions between organisms and their environment. Ernest Haeckel, 1869 The study of the relationships, distribution, and abundance of organisms, or groups of organisms, in an environment. S.I. Dodson, 1998 What is Ecology?

4. Easter Island South Pacific Island colonized about 400-800 ADSouth Pacific Island colonized about 400-800 AD It was a lush paradise, fertile land, high in diversity, well organized community!It was a lush paradise, fertile land, high in diversity, well organized community! Erected giant statues (Maoi)Erected giant statues (Maoi) By early 1600s desolate, in ruins, No more Trees!By early 1600s desolate, in ruins, No more Trees! Does it Foreshadow our own future???Does it Foreshadow our own future???

5. What is Ecology ?? Define Ecology – Abiotic factors – Biotic factors – Limiting Factors – Carrying Capacity Niche Habitat Population Community Ecosystem Biome Biosphere Species Succession

6. Da BEARS

7. Abiotic Factors include all the Nonliving things within an ecosystem such as Temperature, Water, pH, Shelter, Type of soil… Biotic Factors include all the Living or once living components of an ecosystem such as Trees, Animals…

8. Ecology is the basic science in Environmental Life Sciences: Sustainable development Biodiversity Conservation biology Restoration ecology Ecotoxicology Landscape ecology Environmental economics Environmental impact assessment EcotourismForestry Public policies

9. 4 main Global Concerns Population Growth- Over 6.6 Billion People on Earth AND increases ~ 78 million/year! Ecosystems in Decline – Humans do in fact impact the environment! Global Atmospheric Changes – Huge dependence on Fossil Fuels! Humans contributing to Greenhouse effect! Loss of Biodiversity – Habitat destruction, increased pollution, increased organism exploitation, loss of Keystone(Indicator) species!

10. 3 Unifying Themes Sustainability – Renewable, Recycle, Balance Stewardship – To take ownership, watchdog – Civic clubs: Audubon Society, NWF, Sierra Club.. – Teddy Roosevelt, Rachel Carson 1962 Silent Spring – 1970 EPA, Clean Air & Water Act, 1990 “Wise Use” policy! Sound Science – Objective, Cause/Effect, Experimentation, Verify results, Skeptical – Pseudoscience (Junk Science) Does NOT follow Scientific Methodologies!

11. Adaptation Adaptation – characteristics of organisms that evolved as a result of natural selection! If these Morphological and physiological adaptations increase fitness, then the traits will be passed on to the offspring!

12. Individuals The individuals of a species are not identical! Variation can lead to an increase in species Fitness! The individuals of a species are not identical! Variation can lead to an increase in species Fitness! Some of the genotypes(traits) will be more favorable in certain environments(habitats) Some of the genotypes(traits) will be more favorable in certain environments(habitats)

13. Population Population – a group of organisms of the same species living together in a location at the same time. Population – a group of organisms of the same species living together in a location at the same time. Population Ecology - the study of how and why populations change in abundance in space and time. Population Ecology - the study of how and why populations change in abundance in space and time.

14. Population structure Population Birth Immigration DeathEmigration Gains Loss

15. Species A group of similar looking organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring R-Selected Species K-Selected Species

16. r selected populations r – intrinsic rate of growth Adapted to reproduce rapidly Produce a large number but small sized offspring High mortality of individuals Live in environment which are unpredictable with time e.g. rocky shores invertebrates, insects

17. K selected populations K carrying capacity of the environment Reproduce slowly With small number but large sized offspring Low mortality of juveniles Live in stable environment e.g. Large Mammals

18. Limiting Factors Density Dependent VS. Density Independent

19. Organisms in Ecosystems

20. Symbiosis Mutualism Commensalism Parasitism Interactions: Competition Predation

21. Intraspecific competition Competition between individuals of the same species Interspecific competition Competition between individuals of different species

22. Ecology: Population Intraspecific competition Features: 1.lead to decreases in survivorship/ fecundity 2.competing individuals are in essence equivalent 3.More competitors, greater effect on individuals (density dependent)

23. Ecology: Population Features: 1.competing species exclude one another from particular habitats so that they do not co-exist 2.exclusion depends on initial densities 3.Competing species may co-exist by utilizing the habitat in slightly different ways Interspecific competition

24. Ecology: Population The Competitive Exclusion Principle: -If 2 competing species coexist in a stable environment, they do so as a result of niche differentiation. -If no niche differentiation, or it is precluded by the habitat, then one species will eliminate or exclude the other Niche is the combination of conditions and resources that allow the species to maintain a viable population

25. Invasive Species

26. Community Co-existence of species in space and time Species composition in a community seldom in a stable status Disturbance – physical and biological factors

27. Effect of predators on community structure Keystone species: The starfish (Pisaster) prey on a variety of preys including barnacles, limpets, chitons and mussels. Experimental removal of starfish lead to a huge increase of mussels which crowded out other species – reduction of species richness!!!

28. Biomes Water – Marine – Fresh – Estuary

30. Deserts

32. FORESTSFORESTS

33. Deciduous Forest Coniferous Forest Tropical Rain Forest

34. Trophic levels and energy flows Feeding relationship between organisms Modes of nutrition: Autotrophs - producers Heterotrophs - consumers -carnivores -herbivores -omnivores -decomposers -detritivores -Parasites

35. Food Web

36. Productivity Primary production – by autotrophs Gross primary productivity – total amount of dry matters made by a plant in photosynthesis. Respiration also uses up the energy produced in photosynthesis. Net primary productivity = Gross primary productivity - respiration

37. Biogeochemical Cycles

39. Succession Succession