Transcript Intro to Ecology

Ecology
Study of organisms
and their interaction
with each other and
the environment
Levels
Biosphere
Everywhere on the planet that supports life
Biome
Group of ecosystems with same
climate and dominant communities
Ecosystem
• Biotic and abiotic factors in a particular area
Examples of…
• Abiotic Factors
• Biotic Factors
• Nonliving
• Ex. Rocks, water,
temp.
• Living or once living
• Ex. Deer, dead leaves
Community
• All living things in an ecosystem
Population
• One species in an ecosystem
Niche
• Role or job of an organism
Habitat
• Place where organism lives
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
-Used to show relationships
among trophic levels of food
chains.
WHAT USUALLY DECREASES AS
YOU GO UP THE PYRAMID?
1. Number of organisms - More blades of grass
than rabbits, more rabbits than foxes.
2. Biomass - Total dry weight of organisms at
each level of the pyramid.
3. Energy - energy is lost as you move up the
pyramid due to metabolism of the plant /animal
below. 10% energy continues to next level.
CHANGES IN THE ECOSYSTEM CAUSE
CHANGES IN THE PYRAMID - BUT
THESE WILL EVENTUALLY BALANCE
THEMSELVES OUT.
Example: Drought
Example: Disease in the
Herbivore
Example: Shortage of predators
Symbiosis
• Relationship between two species living
closely together
• Three types
1. Parasitism
• One benefits, other is harmed
2. Mutualism
• Both benefit
Commensalism
• One benefits, other not affected