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Intro to Ecology

Intro to Ecology

Assessment

Presentation

Biology

9th - 12th Grade

Practice Problem

Medium

NGSS
MS-LS1-4, MS-ESS2-6, MS-LS2-2

Standards-aligned

Created by

Elizabeth Kuzara

Used 38+ times

FREE Resource

16 Slides • 6 Questions

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​Ecology

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

Ecology

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​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.

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

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​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

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5

Multiple Choice

Select the biotic factor.

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Mouse

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Virus

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Temperature

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Soil

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​Ecological Level of Organization

​Biosphere - The entire planet

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

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

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Ecosystem - a geographic area in which organisms interact

Community - biotic factors of an ecosystem interacting

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9

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

Individual - one organism

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10

Reorder

Place the levels of ecological organization from largest to most specific

Biosphere

Biome

Ecosystem

Community

Population

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3
4
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​Biomes

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

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Multiple Choice

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

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Tundra

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Taiga

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Temperate Seasonal Forest

4

Tropical Rain Forest

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​Ecosystems - defined by the scientist

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

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14

​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

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15

​Interdependence

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

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​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.

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​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

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17

​Types of Interactions

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

Intraspecific - within the same species

Competing for food, mates, habitat, etc.

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Multiple Choice

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

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Interspecific

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Intraspecific

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​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

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​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

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21

Multiple Choice

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

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parasite

2

host

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predator

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prey

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Multiple Choice

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

1

parasite

2

prey

3

predator

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host

​Ecology

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