ecological principles mr. skirbst life science topic 18

Ecological Principles

Mr. SkirbstLife Science

Topic 18

Ecology

Ecology- Greek “oikos” – means

household or home

Ecology- Greek “oikos” – means

household or home- It is the study of the

“households” of Earth

Ecology- Greek “oikos” – means

household or home- It is the study of the

“households” of Earth- Involves relationships within

ecosystems

Ecosystem

Ecosystem- An area where biotic (living)

and abiotic (non-living) factors interact

Ecosystem- An area where biotic (living)

and abiotic (non-living) factors interact

- Ex. Lake, swamp, river, ocean, forest, field, drop of water, etc.

Community- Biotic part of an ecosystem

Community- Biotic part of an ecosystem

- Ex. Plants or animals living together in an area

Niche- The specific role of an

organism in an ecosystem

Population

Population- Group of similar organisms in

an area

Population- Group of similar organisms in

an area

- Ex. All the ants; worms; grass; etc. in an area

Population Density

Population Density- Number of organisms

per unit area

Population Density- Number of organisms

per unit areaDensity = # organisms/

square unitsD = N/S

Population Growth

Population Growth

Population Growth

Population Growth- Related to birth & mortality

Population Growth- Related to birth & mortality- Exponential growth produces a

“J-shaped” population curve

Population Graph

1 2 3 4 5 6 70

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Population Growth- Related to birth & mortality- Exponential growth produces a

“J-shaped” population curveCompetition – struggle for

resources (predators, prey, habitat loss)

Population Graph

1 2 3 4 5 6 70

5

10

15

20

25

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow

Energy Flow- Producers: change sun energy

into chemical energy (Ex. Plants and plant-like

protists)

Energy Flow- Consumer: change chemical

energy to kinetic energy- They “consume” other

organisms

Energy Flow- Consumer: change chemical

energy to kinetic energy- They “consume” other

organismsPrimary - herbivores

Energy Flow- Consumer: change chemical

energy to kinetic energy- They “consume” other

organismsPrimary – herbivoresSecondary - carnivores or

omnivores

Energy Flow- Decomposer: recycle remains

of other organisms

Energy Flow- Energy Pyramid: shows flow of

energy from one level to another

Producers

Primary Consumer

Secondary Consumer

Decom

pose

rs

Tertiary Consumer

Energy Flow- Food Chain: transfer of energy

from one organism to another

Energy Flow- Food Chain: transfer of energy

from one organism to another

Energy Flow- Food Chain: transfer of energy

from one organism to another

Energy Flow- Food Chain: transfer of energy

from one organism to another

Energy Flow- Food Web: overlapping food

chains

Population GraphCreate a population graph with the data:

Year: Population: 1 8 2 16 3 32 4 64 5 120 6 200

Population Graph

1 2 3 4 5 60

50

100

150

200

250

TIME (Years)

POPU

LATI

ON

(Ind

ivid

uals

)Name, Date