Intro to Ecology

​Ecology

Is the scientific study of interactions among different organisms and the environment.

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Ecology

​Habitat and Niche

​Organisms live in a habitat, which is the type of environment where they live. It has the resources that particular organism needs to survive.

A niche is the role that an organism plays within the ecosystem. It includes everything about how it interacts with all factors in its habitat.

​This reed warbler builds its nests woven between reeds in marshes.

​Ecology - the scientific study of interactions among organisms with each other and the environment.

​Biotic - living things

• animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, archaea

Abiotic - non-living things

• Soil, water, air, rocks

Multiple Choice

Select the biotic factor.

• Mouse

• Virus

• Temperature

• Soil

​Ecological Level of Organization

​Biosphere - The entire planet

Biome - An area of the planet defined by annual temperature and annual precipitation

​The hierarchy of ecological organization allows us to be specific in our language, so that we can understand what is being studied and discussed.

​Ecosystem - a geographic area in which organisms interact

Community - biotic factors of an ecosystem interacting

​Population - number of individuals of a species (or group)

Individual - one organism

Reorder

Place the levels of ecological organization from largest to most specific

• Biosphere

• Biome

• Ecosystem

• Community

• Population

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

​Biomes

​The same biome type can occur in multiple places on Earth

Multiple Choice

What type of biome is found at -15 degrees celsius and an average precipitation of less that 100cm?

• Tundra

• Taiga

• Temperate Seasonal Forest

• Tropical Rain Forest

​Ecosystems - defined by the scientist

are areas of shared characteristics, but for research are defined by the scientists.

​Community vs. Population

​Communities are multiple species interacting together, whereas a population is the number of individuals of a species, genus, or order.

For example, you may have a population of lizards, or a population of Blue-tailed Skinks

​Interdependence

​Organisms depend on their interactions with their environment to survive. This includes with abiotic and biotic factors.

​Caterpillars eat plants and lay their eggs on the plants as well. When they become moths or butterflies they are often pollinators of those plants.

​Roles in an Ecosystem

​Herbivore - eats only or mostly plants

Carnivore - eats mostly other animals

Omnivore - eats wide variety of foods

Detritivore/Decomposer - decomposes/eats waste and decaying organic matter

​Types of Interactions

​Interspecific - between two of more species (Examples on next slide)

Intraspecific - within the same species

Competing for food, mates, habitat, etc.

Multiple Choice

What type of interaction would be occurring if two meerkats were competing for territory?

• Interspecific

• Intraspecific

​Types of Interactions

Symbiosis - relationship built over generations between two different species

Parasite & Host (+/-) - parasites harm, but do not usually kill the host.

EX: Ticks, fleas, intestinal worms on/in people, cats, and dogs

Mutualism (+/+) - both organisms benefit from an interaction

EX: Oxpecker bird sitting on Zebras and oxen eating parasites

​Types of Interactions

Commensalism (+/O) - One organism benefits from the relationship and the other organism is not hurt nor does it gain a benefit.

Predator & Prey (+/-) - One organism hunts and kills/consumes the other organism

EX: lions hunting and killing zebra

Multiple Choice

What is the role of a mosquito that consumes blood of a human?

• parasite

• host

• predator

• prey

Multiple Choice

What is the role of an antelope being chased by a cheetah?

• parasite

• prey

• predator

• host