2. What is Ecology?
Ecology: the study
of the relationship
between organisms
and their
environment
Involves observing
relationship
patterns and
seeking to explain
them
3. Levels of Ecological
Organization
1) Biosphere: Earth & its atmosphere
2) Biome: very large climatic regions
3) Ecosystem: organisms and non-living
things in one area
4) Community: interacting organisms in
one area
5) Population: all members of one
species in an area
6) Organism: how they are adapted to
their environments
5. Interdependence
“Interconnectedness”
All organisms interact with other
organisms and non-living things in the
environment
Survival depends on this
Any disturbance may cause widespread
effects
6. Factors that Influence Organisms
2 Types:
1) Biotic
Factors: “living”
i.e. bacteria,
plants, animals
2) Abiotic:
“non-living”
i.e. temperature,
pH, climate
7. Adaptations
A trait with a
current functional
role in the life
history of an
organism
Is maintained and
evolved by means
of natural
selection.
Adaptations
enhance the fitness
and survival of
individuals.
8. Survival Mechanisms
1)Acclimation: organisms
adjust their tolerance to
abiotic factors (NOT
adaptation!!)
2) Dormancy: state of
decreased activity in
response to unfavorable
conditions
3) Migration: when
organisms move to more
favorable environmental
conditions
9. Niche
Niche: the specific role a species plays in
the environment
Includes:
The conditions they can tolerate
Their methods of obtaining resources
# of offspring created
Time of reproduction (ex: human = 9 months)
All other specialized interactions with the
environment
10. Biogeography
Biogeography: the
study of the distribution of
species and ecosystems in
geographic space and
through geological time.
Phytogeography:
the branch of biogeography
that is concerned with the
geographic distribution of
plant species and their
influence on the earth's
surface. (Flora)
Zoogeography: the
branch of the science of
biogeography that is
concerned with the
geographic distribution
(present and past) of animal
species. (Fauna)