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ECOLOGY is the study of the relationships of living
things with each other and their surroundings or
environment.
“Eco-” means house, -logy” means study of.
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ECOLOGY is the study of the relationships of living
things with each other and their surroundings or
environment.
“Eco-” means house, “-logy” means study of.
Environment means only the surroundings.
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ECOLOGY is the study of the relationships of living
things with each other and their surroundings or
environment.
“Eco-” means house, “-logy” means study of.
Environment means only the surroundings.
Ecology is more than just the environment. It also
studies how living things interact or react to the
environment.
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To study how organisms are related to one
another and the environment, it is useful to
establish levels of organization.
Smallest level is the individual ORGANISM – a
single living thing.
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To study how organisms are related to one
another and the environment, it is useful to
establish levels of organization.
Smallest level is the individual ORGANISM – a
single living thing.
POPULATION – all organisms of the same species
living in an area.
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To study how organisms are related to one
another and the environment, it is useful to
establish levels of organization.
Smallest level is the individual ORGANISM – a
single living thing.
POPULATION – all organisms of the same species
living in an area.
COMMUNITY - all living things in an area.
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To study how organisms are related to one
another and the environment, it is useful to
establish levels of organization.
Smallest level is the individual ORGANISM – a
single living thing.
POPULATION – all organisms of the same species
living in an area.
COMMUNITY - all living things in an area.
ECOSYSTEM – all living and non-living things in an
area.
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An ecosystem includes both living and non-living
things in an area.
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An ecosystem includes both living and non-living
things in an area.
BIOTIC FACTORS – all living things in an ecosystem.
EXAMPLES: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria.
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An ecosystem includes both living and non-living
things in an area.
BIOTIC FACTORS – all living things in an ecosystem.
EXAMPLES: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria.
ABIOTIC FACTORS – all non-living things in an
ecosystem. The prefix “a-” means not or without.
EXAMPLES: sunlight, water, soil, temperature,
climate.
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An ecosystem includes both living and non-living
things in an area.
BIOTIC FACTORS – all living things in an ecosystem.
EXAMPLES: plants, animals, fungi, bacteria.
ABIOTIC FACTORS – all non-living things in an
ecosystem. The prefix “a-” means not or without.
EXAMPLES: sunlight, water, soil, temperature,
climate.
Ecosystems can be large or small. Your body could
be considered an ecosystem. HOW?
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Ecosystems are also classified into different types
called BIOMES. BIOMES are different types of
ecosystems and are characterized by vegetation
and climate, similar to climate classifications.
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Ecosystems are also classified into different types
called BIOMES. BIOMES are different types of
ecosystems and are characterized by vegetation
and climate, similar to climate classifications.
Major biomes – rainforests, coniferous forests,
deciduous forests, deserts, grasslands, tundra.
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Ecosystems are also classified into different types
called BIOMES. BIOMES are different types of
ecosystems and are characterized by vegetation
and climate, matching different climate types.
Major biomes – rainforests, coniferous forests,
deciduous forests, deserts, grasslands, tundra.
Biomes of the same type may have different
organisms who serve a similar role in the
ecosystem.
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Ecosystems are also classified into different types
called BIOMES. BIOMES are different types of
ecosystems and are characterized by vegetation
and climate, similar to climate classifications.
Major biomes – rainforests, coniferous forests,
deciduous forests, deserts, grasslands, tundra.
Biomes of the same type may have different
organisms who serve a similar role in the
ecosystem.
BIOSPHERE – all of the ecosystems on Earth, all of
the places where life exists.
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HABITAT is the place where an organism lives.
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HABITAT is the place where an organism lives.
NICHE is an organism’s way of life or what it does
in an ecosystem.
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HABITAT is the place where an organism lives.
NICHE is an organism’s way of life or what it does
in an ecosystem.
Although each organism has its own habitat and
niche, all organisms in an ecosystem are
interdependent which means they rely on others
for support and survival.
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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS – when organisms live
closely together. Three kinds:
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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS – when organisms live
closely together. Three kinds:
PARASITISM – a symbiotic relationship where one
organism benefits from the relationship and the
other is harmed.
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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS – when organisms live
closely together. Three kinds:
PARASITISM – a symbiotic relationship where one
organism benefits from the relationship and the
other is harmed.
MUTUALISM – a symbiotic relationship where
both organisms benefit from the relationship.
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SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS – when organisms live
closely together. Three kinds:
PARASITISM – a symbiotic relationship where one
organism benefits from the relationship and the
other is harmed.
MUTUALISM – a symbiotic relationship where
both organisms benefit from the relationship.
COMMENSALISM – a symbiotic relationship where
one organism benefits from the relationship and
the other gets nothing, but is not harmed.
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COMPETITION – when two or more organisms try
to use the same resources such as food, water,
sunlight, soil, space, habitat or mates.
Can be between different species – animals
competing for food or places to live, plants
fighting for soil, water, and sunlight.
Can be between individuals of the same species
competing for those resources.
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PREDATION – one organism kills and eats another.
The organism that kills and eats is called a
predator. The organism that gets eaten is called
the prey.
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PREDATION – one organism kills and eats another.
The organism that kills and eats is called a
predator. The organism that gets eaten is called
the prey.
KEYSTONE SPECIES - a species that plays a critical
role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Keystone
species determine the types and number of other
species in the ecosystem. Predators are often
keystone species.
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BIODIVERSITY – how many different types of
organisms live in an ecosystem or area. Highest
biodiversity is found in tropical forests.
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BIODIVERSITY – how many different types of
organisms live in an ecosystem or area. Highest
biodiversity is found in tropical forests.
Because organisms are dependent on each other,
biodiversity is important for the health of an
ecosystem. If the variety of organisms is reduced,
the ecosystem gets out of balance and can
become unhealthy. WHY?
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BIODIVERSITY – how many different types of
organisms live in an ecosystem or area. Highest
biodiversity is found in tropical forests.
Because organisms are dependent on each other,
biodiversity is important for the health of an
ecosystem. If the variety of organisms is reduced,
the ecosystem gets out of balance and can
become unhealthy. WHY?
What if one source of food disappears?
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BIODIVERSITY – how many different types of
organisms live in an ecosystem or area. Highest
biodiversity is found in tropical forests.
Because organisms are dependent on each other,
biodiversity is important for the health of an
ecosystem. If the variety of organisms is reduced,
the ecosystem gets out of balance and can
become unhealthy. WHY?
What if one source of food disappears?
In a biodiverse ecosystem, other food sources
would be available.
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Humans reduce biodiversity by destroying
ecosystems and replacing them with farms and
cities.
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Humans reduce biodiversity by destroying
ecosystems and replacing them with farms and
cities.
Monoculture – growing only one type of plant,
such as corn or wheat. Why is this a problem?
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Humans reduce biodiversity by destroying
ecosystems and replacing them with farms and
cities.
Monoculture – growing only one type of plant,
such as corn or wheat. Why is this a problem?
In a monoculture, there is usually very little
genetic diversity (everyone is related). If a disease
affects one organism, it will likely affect most if not
all of its relatives.
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Humans also bring new species to an ecosystem
that were not there before.
Invasive species are invaders – species that are not
natural to an ecosystem and change or cause
damage to the ecosystem.
Examples: cane toads in Australia, tamarisk trees
along Utah rivers, catfish and carp in Utah Lake,
snakeheads in Eastern United States.
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Da Sun is the source of all energy in ecosystems.
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Da Sun is the source of all energy in ecosystems.
Ultimately, almost all life depends on energy from
Da Sun.
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Plants use energy from the Sun to make food.
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Plants use energy from the Sun to make food.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS is a process in which plants use
sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into
carbohydrates (sugars, starches, cellulose) and
oxygen.
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Plants use energy from the Sun to make food.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS is a process in which plants use
sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into
carbohydrates (sugars, starches, cellulose) and
oxygen.
6 CO2 + 6 H20 + SUNLIGHT → C6H12O6 + 6 02
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Plants use energy from the Sun to make food.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS is a process in which plants use
sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into
carbohydrates (sugars, starches, cellulose) and
oxygen.
6 CO2 + 6 H20 + SUNLIGHT → C6H12O6 + 6 02
RESPIRATION: Animals eat the carbohydrates and
breathe oxygen made by plants, then release
carbon dioxide and waste.
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A FOOD CHAIN shows how one organism or living
thing get its food or energy in an ecosystem.
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A FOOD CHAIN shows how one organism or living
thing get its food or energy in an ecosystem.
A food chain also shows energy flow in an
ecosystem.
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A FOOD WEB shows many organisms or living
things in an ecosystem and how they are related
and get their food or energy.
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A FOOD WEB shows many organisms or living
things in an ecosystem and how they are related
and get their food or energy.
A food web also shows energy flow in an
ecosystem.
- Energy Flow in Ecosystems
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The movement of energy though an ecosystem
can be shown in diagrams called food chains
and food webs.
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PRODUCERS – plants and other organisms which
are able to produce their own food from energy
from the Sun or chemicals.
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PRODUCERS – plants and other organisms which
are able to produce their own food from energy
from the Sun or chemicals.
CONSUMERS – get their food or energy from
eating other organisms or living things.
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PRODUCERS – plants and other organisms which
are able to produce their own food from energy
from the Sun or chemicals.
CONSUMERS – get their food or energy from
eating other organisms or living things.
DECOMPOSERS – get their food or energy from
the waste and remains of other organisms. Also
called detritivores.
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Primary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating plants. Also called herbivores.
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Primary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating plants. Also called herbivores.
Secondary consumer – gets its food or energy
from eating primary consumers. Also called
carnivores.
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Primary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating plants. Also called herbivores.
Secondary consumer – gets its food or energy
from eating primary consumers. Also called
carnivores.
Tertiary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating secondary consumers (carnivores).
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Primary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating plants. Also called herbivores.
Secondary consumer – gets its food or energy
from eating primary consumers. Also called
carnivores.
Tertiary consumer – gets its food or energy from
eating secondary consumers (carnivores).
Omnivores – get their food or energy from eating
both producers (plants) and consumers (animals).
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TROPHIC LEVEL - Each level of a food chain or web.
As you go higher up, the number of organisms
decreases.
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TROPHIC LEVEL - Each level of a food chain or web.
As you go higher up, the number of organisms
decreases.
The BIOMASS, or amount of material from living
organisms, also goes down.
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TROPHIC LEVEL - Each level of a food chain or web.
As you go higher up, the number of organisms
decreases.
The BIOMASS, or amount of material from living
organisms, also goes down.
Energy is converted and used by organisms for
heat, movement, respiration.
Over 90% of the biomass is used up, and less than
10% stays in the ecosystem.