EcologyECOLOG

Y

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22

EcologyECOLOG

YThe study of the interactions

of organisms with one another and with their environment

Can be approached from many levels of organization

ENVIRONMENT INCLUDES…

• factors such as temp, light, water and nutrients and…

Biotic (Living)

• factors -- all of the living things.

Abiotic (Non-Living)

4 LEVELS OF STUDY:1. Species – a group of organisms

so similar that they can breed and produce viable offspring

2. Population – groups of individuals of the same species that live in the same area.

3. Community - all of the organisms in a particular area

4. Ecosystem - all of the abiotic factors and community of species in a particular area

Species, Population, Community, and

Ecosystem

Section 3-1ECOLOGICAL LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

ECOSYSTEMS• A particular population of species

lives in a HABITAT. (subdivision)• An individual lives in a smaller

area called a NICHE. (home)• The many different species

(diversity) makes up the COMMUNITY. (Palmer)

• The community and the physical environment (land, water and weather) make up the ECOSYSTEM (Valley)

Habitat, Niche, Community, Ecosystem

COMMUNITY ECOLOGY

1. Symbiosis1. Commensali

sm2. Parasitism3. Mutualism

2. Predator /Prey

3. Competition

Symbiosis - close and often long-term interactions between different biological species.

• Commensalism - one helped other neither harmed or helped (+/o)

• Parasitism - one helped one harmed (+/-)

Caterpillar with parasitic wasp cocoons

• Mutualism - both helped (+/+)

• Predator / Prey (+/-)

Competition (-,-)

• Occurs when individual of DIFFERENT species compete for the same essential resource, such as food, water, or living space

Intraspecific• Occurs when individuals

of the SAME species compete for the same essential resource, such as food, water, or living space

Interspecific