Transcript Introduction to Ecology

Introduction to Ecology

What is Ecology?
Introduction to Ecology

Ecology is……
The
study of
interactions…
between living
(biotic) and nonliving (abiotic)
components….
in ecosystems!
Introduction to Ecology

Some definitions:

FOOD CHAIN:
A
diagram showing
the movement of
energy between biotic
factors in an
ecosystem.
Introduction to Ecology
Some examples of FOOD CHAINS:
Introduction to Ecology

PRODUCER:
An
organism that
makes it’s own food
from sunlight or heat
(usually a plant)
Introduction to Ecology

CONSUMER:
An
organism that
must consume other
organisms for energy
(all animals are
consumers)
Introduction to Ecology

HERBIVORE:
An
organism that
consumes only
plants for food (deer,
mice, grasshopper,
gorilla)
Introduction to Ecology

CARNIVORE:
An
organism that
consumes only other
animals for food
(cats, owls, sharks,
polar bear)
Introduction to Ecology

DECOMPOSER:
An
organism that
consumes only dead
organisms for food
(bacteria, worms,
fungus, vultures)
Introduction to Ecology

NUTRIENT:
A
material that an
organism needs to
grow and reproduce.
Good examples are
vitamins and
minerals.
Introduction to Ecology

OMNIVORE:
An
organism that
can eat either plants
or animals for energy
(humans, raccoons,
black bears,
chimpanzees)
Introduction to Ecology

HABITAT:
The
area in which
an organism lives,
including the space,
water and food
available, vegetation
and soil types
Use the definitions from your worksheet to
label the following ecosystem:
abiotic
carnivore
biotic
producer
HABITAT
omnivore
herbivore
producer
abiotic
consumer