What is ecology?

What isEcology?

What is Ecology??What is Ecology??

•The study of interactions thattake place between organismsand their environment.•The study of interactions thattake place between organismsand their environment.

•It explains how livingorganisms affect each otherand the world they live in.•It explains how livingorganisms affect each otherand the world they live in.

•The study of interactions thattake place between organismsand their environment.•The study of interactions thattake place between organismsand their environment.

•It explains how livingorganisms affect each otherand the world they live in.•It explains how livingorganisms affect each otherand the world they live in.

Organisms and TheirEnvironmentsOrganisms and TheirEnvironments

Species interact with both other species andtheir nonliving environment.Species interact with both other species andtheir nonliving environment.

Interdependence is a theme in ecology—one changecan affect all species in an ecosystem.Interdependence is a theme in ecology—one changecan affect all species in an ecosystem.

Habitat & NicheHabitat & Niche

•Habitat is theplace a plant oranimal lives•Habitat is theplace a plant oranimal lives

•Niche is anorganism’s totalway of life•Niche is anorganism’s totalway of life

•Habitat is theplace a plant oranimal lives•Habitat is theplace a plant oranimal lives

•Niche is anorganism’s totalway of life•Niche is anorganism’s totalway of life

Levels of OrganizationLevels of Organization

•Ecologists have organized theinteractions an organism takespart in into different levelsaccording to complexity.•Ecologists have organized theinteractions an organism takespart in into different levelsaccording to complexity.

Levels ofOrganization

1st Level of Organization1st Level of Organization

•Organism:An individualliving thing thatis made of cells,uses energy,reproduces,responds, grows,and develops•Organism:An individualliving thing thatis made of cells,uses energy,reproduces,responds, grows,and develops

2nd Level of Organization2nd Level of Organization

•Population:A group oforganisms, allof the samespecies, whichinterbreed andlive in thesame place atthe same time.•Population:A group oforganisms, allof the samespecies, whichinterbreed andlive in thesame place atthe same time.

3rd Level of Organization3rd Level of Organization

•BiologicalCommunity:All thepopulations ofdifferentspecies thatlive in the sameplace at thesame time.•BiologicalCommunity:All thepopulations ofdifferentspecies thatlive in the sameplace at thesame time.

4th Level of Organization4th Level of Organization

•Ecosystem:Populations of plantsand animals thatinteract with eachother in a givenarea with thenonliving componentsof that area.(terrestrial oraquatic)•Ecosystem:Populations of plantsand animals thatinteract with eachother in a givenarea with thenonliving componentsof that area.(terrestrial oraquatic)

5th Level of Organization5th Level of Organization

•Biosphere:Theportion ofEarth thatsupportslife.•Biosphere:Theportion ofEarth thatsupportslife.

Components of an EcosystemComponents of an Ecosystem

Both living (biotic) and nonliving(abiotic) factors influence organismsand their ecosystems.Both living (biotic) and nonliving(abiotic) factors influence organismsand their ecosystems.

The Nonliving EnvironmentThe Nonliving Environment

•Abiotic factors- thenonliving parts of anorganism’s environment.•Abiotic factors- thenonliving parts of anorganism’s environment.

•Examples include aircurrents, temperature,moisture, light, and soil.•Examples include aircurrents, temperature,moisture, light, and soil.

•Abiotic factors affect anorganism’s life.•Abiotic factors affect anorganism’s life.

The Living EnvironmentThe Living Environment

•Biotic factors- all theliving organisms thatinhabit an environment.•Biotic factors- all theliving organisms thatinhabit an environment.

•All organisms depend onothers directly orindirectly for food,shelter, reproduction, orprotection.•All organisms depend onothers directly orindirectly for food,shelter, reproduction, orprotection.

•Biotic factors- all theliving organisms thatinhabit an environment.•Biotic factors- all theliving organisms thatinhabit an environment.

Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

BioticBiotic

Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

AbioticAbiotic

Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

AbioticAbiotic

Abiotic or Biotic?Abiotic or Biotic?

BioticBiotic

What level of organization?What level of organization?

OrganismOrganism

What level of Organization?What level of Organization?

This time, we mostly see Pride Rock on the left side, a conscious directorial decision.

CommunityCommunity

What level of Organization?What level of Organization?

PopulationPopulation

Organisms in an EcosystemOrganisms in an Ecosystem

AutotrophsAutotrophs

-Also called producers-Also called producers

-Photosynthetic and makecarbohydrates by using energyfrom the sun-Photosynthetic and makecarbohydrates by using energyfrom the sun

-Most numerous organisms in anecosystem!-Most numerous organisms in anecosystem!

Organisms in an EcosystemOrganisms in an Ecosystem

HeterotrophsHeterotrophs

-Also called consumers-Also called consumers

-Obtain energy by eating otherorganisms-Obtain energy by eating otherorganisms

HerbivoresHerbivores

CarnivoresCarnivores

OmnivoresOmnivores

Detrivores

Decomposers

Food ChainsFood Chains

A single pathway of energy transferis a food chainA single pathway of energy transferis a food chain

Food WebsFood Webs

A network showing all paths of energytransfer is a food webA network showing all paths of energytransfer is a food web

Trophic RelationshipsTrophic Relationships

Producer

SecondaryConsumer

TertiaryConsumer

QuaternaryConsumer

PrimaryConsumer(Herbivore)

Rule of 10Rule of 10

Only 10% of energy is transferredfrom one trophic level to the next.

Example:

-It takes 100 kgs of plantmaterials (producers) to support10 kgs of herbivores

-It takes 10 kgs of herbivoresto support 1 kg of 1st levelpredators

Ecosystems contain only a fewtrophic levels because there is alow rate of energy transferbetween each level.Ecosystems contain only a fewtrophic levels because there is alow rate of energy transferbetween each level.

Energy FlowEnergy Flow

1500 kJ Energy

150 kJ Energy

15 kJ Energy

1.5 kJ Energy