Ecology The relationships between organisms and their environment
Ecology The relationships between organisms and their environment…
Ecosystems n The community of organisms that live in a particular area (biome) along with their nonliving surroundings or environment.
Ecosystems can be as small as a drop of water or as large as a forest.
Living Things Depend on Their Environment/Biome. Each animal must have a specific temperature and specific food to survive.
What do ecologists call living and non-living things? n Abiotic: Non-Living Things in an Ecosystem n Biotic: Living Things in an Ecosystem
Examples of Abiotic n Things that you can see and feel n Things that you cannot see, touch or feel Temperature Air
How Energy flows through Ecosystems n Producers, Decomposers, and Consumers all play an important role in ecosystems.
What is a Producer? n n Plants are the most common producer in an ecosystem Producers can make their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
What is a Consumer? n n Consumers must get their energy from eating other organisms Consumers are classified by their position in a food chain Cows are considered primary consumers because they eat grass How would human beings be classified?
Decomposers n n Decomposers break dead plant and animal matter down into simpler compounds. Decomposers are considered the “clean up crew” of an ecosystem. These mushrooms are feeding off of dead plant matter. Decomposers release the last bit of energy from once-living matter.
Classifications of Consumers n n n Quaternary Consumers: eat tertiary consumers (Hawk) Tertiary Consumers: eat secondary consumers (Snake) Secondary Consumers: eat primary consumers (Mouse) Primary Consumers: eat producers (Grasshopper) Primary Producer: make their own food (Grass)
Food Chain n n The feeding relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem It shows only “one” possible pathway for energy.
Food Web n This shows many possible pathways for energy. n Each consumer and producer captures and uses energy
A few definitions…… n n n n Herbivore: A consumer that eats plants Carnivore: A consumer that eats meat Omnivore: A consumer that eats both plants and meat. Niche: An organism’s job or role in an ecosystem. Scavenger: Eats only dead animals Parasite: An organism that lives on or in another Host: An organism that is infected by a parasite.
What is a Biome? n A region on Earth that has a particular climate with certain types of plants, vegetation, and animals.
Types of Biomes n n n n Desert Grasslands Temperate Forests/Deciduous Forest Tropical Forests/Rain Forests Aquatic Tundra Taiga/Coniferous Forest/Boreal Forest
Levels of Environment The Environment can be divided into four main levels: 1. Biome 2. Community 3. Population 4. Organism
Communities n n A group of populations living in a particular area Each species has a role or niche. These ants are tending to aphids, feeding on the "honeydew" that the aphids secrete, and protecting them from potential predators. .
Populations n n n The same species living in the same area. Habitat: the physical location where they live. Niche: their role within the habitat
Population and Competition n n Populations of living things compete for space, light, nutrients, and food. Animals compete for territory and food.
The Constantly Changing Ecosystem n Our surroundings change constantly due to: 1. 2. 3. 4. Limiting factors Carrying Capacity Succession Pioneer Species
Limiting Factor A limiting factor is something that an organism needs to survive like: Food Water Shelter
Carrying Capacity n n The maximum number of individuals that an environment can hold due to the limited amount of food and space Each population will be different
n When one biological community is replaced by another
Human Impact on Ecosystems Chapter 3 n n n Garbage Depletion of natural resources Depletion of living space Water Pollution Air Pollutioln
Protecting the Ecosystems n n n More awareness Conservation Recycling Federal restrictions Protection of endangered species
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