What is Ecology?

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What is Ecology?
Slide 1

• The Scientific study of interactions among
  between organisms and their environment.

Chapter 3, 4 and 5 in the Prentice Hall Biology
Book
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The Biosphere
Slide 2
Extends to 8 km above the earths surface
The part of the environment that hosts existance.
(includes land,water, air.)
Extends to 11 km below the surface of the oceans.
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Levels of Organization in Ecology
Slide 3

• Species Group of organisms so similar they breed
  and produce offspring.
• ex. A bear
• A horse
• Populations Groups of individuals that belong to
  the same species in the same area
• . (Ex den of bears)

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Levels, cont.
Slide 4

• Community Groups of different populations living
  together in a defined area.
• Ex bears and elk in Yellowstone Natl. Park
• Ecosystem Collection of all organisms that live
  in a particular place together with nonliving
  organisms.
• Ex animals, plants, rivers, rocks

5
It takes Energy!
Slide 5

• All organisms need energy to survive. The flow
  of energy through an ecosystem is one of the MOST
  IMPORTANT facts that determine if the system can
  sustain life.

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And Energy Starts with
Slide 6
Sunlight is the main energy source for life on
earth!
Suns energy
Carbon Dioxide water energy ? glucose
oxygen
6 CO2 6 H2O ? C6H12O6 6 O2
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We classify based on energy
Slide 7

• Heterotroph
• Cant make their own food. (animals)

• Autotrophs
• Can make their own food! (plants)

Also called PRODUCERS
Also called CONSUMERS!
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Autotrophs/Producers
Slide 8

• plants, some algae, some bacteria. These
  organisms can capture energy directly from the
  sun or chemicals and use this energy to produce
  their own food. Also called Producers.
• Photosynthesis- An autrophoph that uses light
  energy to power chemical reactions which converts
  CO2 and water into O2 and sugars and starches.
• Ex plants
• Chemosynthesis- An autotroph that produces food
  in the absence of light. Relies on energy within
  chemical bonds of inorganic molecules.
• ex some bacteria

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Heterotophs/Consumers
Slide 9

• Consumers- cannot harness energy directly from
  the physical environment.
• a. Heteretrophs- Cant make their own food.
  (animals)
• 1. Herbivores- Animals that eat plants. (cows,
  deer)
• 2. Carnivores- Animals that eat other animals
  (Snakes, owls)
• 3. Omnivores- Eat both plants and animals.
  (humans, bears)
• 4. Decomposers- Group of heterotrophs that break
  down organic matter. (bacteria/ fungi)

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Herbivores
Slide 10
Name all these herbivores!
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Omnivores
Slide 11
Name these common omnivores. Add two of your own
examples.
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Carnivores
Slide 12
Name all these Carnivores! Whats your favorite
carnivore?
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Decomposers and Scavengers
Slide 13

• Decomposers and scavengers break down dead plants
  and animals. They also break down the waste
  (poop) of other organisms. Decomposers are very
  important for any ecosystem. If they weren't in
  the ecosystem, the plants would not get essential
  nutrients, and dead matter and waste would pile
  up.
• There are two kinds of decomposers, scavengers
  and decomposers.

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Decomposers
Slide 14
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Food Chains
Slide 15

• Food Chain- Series of steps in the ecosystem in
  which organisms transfer energy by eating or
  being eaten.

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Food Webs
Slide 17

• Food Web- Network of interactions that link all
  the food chain in an ecosystem.
• Tropic Level- Each step in a food chain.
  Producers make up the first level, consumers make
  up the higher levels. Each level depends on the
  lower level for energy.

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Cycles of Matter
Slide 18

• Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

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1. The Water Cycle-
Slide 19

• All living things require water for survival!
  Water changes from liquid to gas in two ways
• a. evaporation- liquid to a gas
• b. transpiration- evaporation from leaves.
• Where does the water go after it forms puddles on
  the pavement? Evaporation or condensation?
• Wet clothes are put into a dryer and come out
  dry. Where does the water go?

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The Water Cycle Diagram
Slide 20
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Three Nutrient Cycles every living organism must
have nutrients to survive
Slide 21

1. Carbon Cycle- Carbon is the key ingredient in
   living tissues. CO2 in the air, calcium
   carbonate in the soil and animal bones.
2. Nitrogen Cycle- Nitrogen builds amino acids to
   make proteins. Atmosphere and soil contain
   Nitrogen.
3. 3. Phosphorus Cycle- Phosphorus is essential to
   living organisms because it forms part of the DNA
   and RNA.

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The Carbon Cycle
Slide 22

• Watch the Carbon Cycle Animation!
• Answer the questions on your notes
• Take the Quiz!

- Carbon is the key ingredient in living
tissues. CO2 in the air, calcium carbonate in the
soil and animal bones.
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Global Nitrogen
Slide 23

• Nitrogen Fixation- Process of converting
  nitrogen gas into ammonia. Plants can convert
  this into proteins.
• Denitrification- Process that releases the
  nitrogen back into the atmosphere. Result of
  decomposition

23
Nitrogen Cycle
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Slide 24
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Phosphorus Cycle-
Slide 25

• Phosphorus is essential to living organisms
  because it forms part of the DNA and RNA.
• See Diagram on the next slides

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Slide 27