Expoloring some basic concepts.

1. Learning about ecology

2. Ecology is the study of organisms and their relationship with
their surroundings, the interaction between organisms and
their environment. An example would be the earth and us
(humans). Some ecologists study this. Some ecologists study a
specific species or habitat. They might study the behavior of a
single species to see how it interacts with other organisms and
the environment. Or, an ecologist might study many different
species that either depend on each other (a food web, for
example), or compete with each other for food and space.

3. Each biome can be described as an area on our earth that
shares similar climate, animals, and plants. There are actually
about 150 different classified biomes today! The main ones are
Marine, Tundra, Desert, Savannah, Grassland, Tropical Rain
Forest, Deciduous Forest, and Coniferous Forest (Taiga).
What is a biome?

4. An ecosystem includes all the abiotic (non-living) factors in
addition to the community of biotic (living) things that exists in
a certain area. Some ideas associated with an ecosystem are
energy flow, and the cycling of nutrients and wastes among the
various biotic and abiotic components.
What is an ecosystem?

5. Abiotic factors are the non-living factors in an environment
such as temperature, light, water, and nutrients. Biotic factors
are living organisms that are part of an environment. Together
abiotic and biotic factors make up our surroundings. For
example, lets take a look at our earth. Some biotic factors are
the plants that give us oxygen, and the animals that we eat.
Some abiotic factors are the sun, water, and soil.
What are abiotic and biotic factors?

6. A food chain is a simple model showing the flow of nutritional energy through an
ecosystem. This means that a food chain shows the path of food from one organism
to another, transferring energy to the organism digesting the food. However, the
reality is more complex because most organisms eat a variety of food. Therefore, a
food chain is a picture or model that that more accurately shows the transfer and
flow of energy in an ecosystem. The dynamics of each food web can be different in
each ecosystem, but all consist of three types of organisms: producers, consumers,
and decomposers.
All food webs start with the sun. The sun provides energy for plants. Plants are
considered producers because they make their own food with the help of the sun.
Animals, including humans, cannot make their own food. As a result, they must get
their energy from other sources, usually plants and other animals. Thus, animals are
considered consumers. At the end of an animal's life something must happen to their
bodies. Decomposers are the very small (microscopic) organisms that break down
the bodies of dead animals and plants. The nutrients that come from this
decomposition become part of the soil that is re-used by new plants, back at the
base of the food web.
What is a food chain/food web?

7. Recycling means that we take products that have been used and turn them
into something else to use again. Most of the things that we use every day
are made from resources that come from the earth, and that have been
processed and turned into other products. When we throw away these
products (like a juice bottle, for example), they normally end up in a landfill.
Unfortunately, a lot of the things that we use and throw away will never
break down or biodegrade. For example, when a plant dies, small organisms
and bacteria in the soil can break it down and return it into the soil to be
used by new plants. This process of decomposition is nature's way of
recycling. When we recycle items like a juice bottle, our wastes don't get
thrown into a landfill, but instead are re-used in other products.
What is recycling/what can I do?

8. There are many types of pollution happening today, even in
your city. One type of pollution we hear about a lot here in
Santa Barbara is oil pollution. This can be spillage or even
leakage of processed oil into oceans. Other types of pollution
include air pollution (the layer of brown clouds you see when
you go to Los Angeles and other big cities). Pollution from
sewage and drainage into rivers and oceans also is a serious
problem for our environment. Finally, deforestation and
industry development can also be thought of as ways the
environment is being polluted.
What is pollution?

9. Our rivers, lakes and oceans are affected by pollution in many ways. First
and foremost, the organisms that live in these places are often harmed by
pollution. The water can be polluted by chemical and product leaks, which
may cause the animals who live in the water to get sick. Animals who are
high up on the food chain can also get sick from toxic build up in their
bodies from eating other affected animals and plants. Air pollution also has
very negative effects on our atmosphere. There is a hole in our ozone due to
pollution in the air. If this hole gets bigger we won’t be as protected from
the sunlight and it's heat. Many years from now this could pose a serious
threat to humans.
How does pollution affect rivers,
oceans, and our ecosystem?

10. Most governments have passed some pollution prevention
acts. Basically, these acts say pollution should be prevented or
reduced wherever possible. Also whenever pollution cannot be
prevented, things should be recycled in a safe manner. Disposal
of waste into the environment should be a last resort and
should be done in an environmentally safe manner. Many
people dedicate their careers to studying the effects of
pollution and getting legislation passed to reduce
environmental pollution. There is continued need for people to
work on controlling pollution.
What are people doing to stop or
control pollution?
Source: http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/ecology/faq