Transcript Introducing some Ecology Terms

Introducing some
Ecology Terms
Ecosystem
All biotic (living) and
abiotic (non-living)
components and
their interactions
with each other.
These interactions
occur in a defined
area, however, this
area is not limited
by size (eg. Forest,
Meadow, Log).
Ecosystem
Ecosystems are
characterized by flow
of energy through
food webs,
production and
decomposition of
organic matter, and
cycling of nutrient
elements.
Trophic Level
Trophic levels are the
feeding position in a
food chain such as
primary producers,
herbivore, primary
carnivore, etc.
Green plants form the
first trophic level, the
producers.
Trophic Levels
Herbivores form the
second trophic level.
Carnivores form the
third and even the
fourth trophic levels.
Pyramid of Energy Flow
A pyramid of energy
flow displays how
energy is distributed
within a food chain.
It displays the amount of
energy absorbed at
each level, the
amount of energy that
is consumed by the
higher trophic level
and the amount of
energy lost to heat
and death.
Abiotic Factors
Abiotic components are the
nonliving components of
the biosphere.
Chemical and geological
factors, such as rocks
and minerals.
Physical factors, such as
temperature and
weather, are referred to
as abiotic components.
Biotic Factors
Living things or their materials that
directly or indirectly affect an
organism in its environment.
This would include organisms, their
presence, parts, interaction, and
wastes.
Factors such as parasitism, disease,
and predation (one animal eating
another) would also be classified
as biotic factors.
Consumers
All the organisms that can
not make their own food
(and need producers)
are called heterotrophs.
In an ecosystem
heterotrophs are called
consumers because
they depend on others.
They obtain food by
eating other organisms.
Producers
Organisms, such as
plants, that produce
their own food are
called autotrophs.
They are called
producers because
all of the species of
the ecosystem
depend on them.
Decomposers
Decomposers and
scavengers break
down dead plants
and animals.
They also break down
the waste (poop) of
other organisms.
Detritivores
Organisms that recycle
decomposing organic
material, returning it
into the food chain.
Eg. Earthworms eat
rotting plant leaves
and other debris.
Dung beetles eat
feces (poop).
Carboniferous Period
Occurred from about 354 to 290 million years ago.
Carboniferous means coal bearing.
A period of time when plants and vegetation accumulated
and later converted to coal.