ECOLOGY What is ecology the study of Ecology

ECOLOGY ©What is ecology the study of?

Ecology ©The scientific study of interactions between different kinds of living things and the environments in which they live.

©‘Eco’ stands for the Greek word ‘oikos’ ©Eco = _____ ©logy = _____

Why Care About Ecology? ©Ecological research provides us with the necessary info. to resolve many of the environmental problems that surround us.

©We are dependent upon the world’s ecosystems, therefore, we must learn how to keep the environment safe for all living organisms.

Ecosystem ©A particular environment in which a group of organisms live (broad area)

Habitat ©Localized, or smaller version of an ecosystem

Ecosystems are made up of two factors… ©Biotic (living) ©Abiotic (non-living)

Biomes ©A local habitat characterized by its climate, & therefore by the organisms that live there.

Examples of Biomes ©Desert, rainforest, tundra, arctic, temperate forests, etc.

Biodiversity ©Biological diversity is one of the most important, yet much ignored resources on our planet

©Biodiversity is the genetically based variety of living organisms in the biosphere. ©Biodiversity is important for many reasons including agriculture, medicine, and recreation.

©Biodiversity is connected to ecosystem diversity, both of which are being destroyed.

Energy Flow in Ecosystems ©Food Chain vs Food Web… ©Autotroph: _________ ©Heterotroph: ________ ©Herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, decomposer

©Energy in trophic levels _______ as you move up the pyramid ©Biomass _________as you move up the energy pyramids

©Biogeochemical Cycles (Nutrient Cycles) ©Carbon ©Water ©Nitrogen