Introduction to Ecology Gr. “oikos” meaning home Study of the interactions of organisms with one another and their physical surroundings

Biosphere Ecosystems Ecological Succession

Biomes Habitat & Niche Flow of Energy and Nutrients

Biosphere

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seawifs_global_biosphere.jpg

Ecosystems

= biotic factors + abiotic factors

= community + habitat

All ecosystems are connected by living and non-living factors!

http://bio4esobil2010.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/lakeecosystem_poster.jpg

• Process by which an existing community of organisms is replaced by a different community of organisms

• Primary vs. Secondary succession • Pioneer species – colonize

areas where no community exists

• Climax community – fairly stable collection of organisms, described by the most obvious species contained

• Dominant species – most obvious species in a community

Ecological succession

http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/98/95198-036-2619E3FA.jpg, http://student.britannica.com/comptons/article-273236/ecology

Typ

es

of

Bio

me

s

Land

Tundra

Taiga

Temperate deciduous forest

Grassland

Tropical rain forest

Desert

Aquatic

Freshwater

Marine

Estuaries

Biomes A review

• Environments with a characteristic climax community

• Areas with similar abiotic factors develop similar climax communities

http://www.bio.miami.edu/dana/pix/biomes.jpg

http://www.bcscience.com/bc10/images/0_quiz_01.1_09.gif

http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/visual/visual.php?shortname=biome_type

http://files.freshwaterbiomes.webnode.com/200000011-5e6dd6061c/aquatic_biomes.jpg

http://nrhs.nred.org/www/nred_nrhs/site/hosting/KentScienceDepartment/myweb5/biomes/lakezonation.jpg

http://im.glogster.com/media/10/40/4/18/40041822.jpg

Habitat & Niche

• Habitat

• Area where an organism lives

• Niche

• Conditions in which an organism lives

• The way an organism uses these conditions

o Competitive exclusion principle

o “Complete competitors cannot coexist.”

The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle, Haribon, or Monkey-eating Eagle, is a bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae and the world’s largest eagle. It is the only member of the genus Pithecophaga and is genetically believed to be most closely related to the snake eagles. This eagle is endemic to the Philippines and can be found on four major islands: eastern Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, with most of the population living on Mindanao. It lives in dipterocarp and mid-montane forests, particularly in steep areas. The Philippine Eagle eats flying lemurs, Asian Palm Civets, reptiles, birds, and occasionally monkeys. Pairs are known to hunt cooperatively, with one eagle distracting a group of monkeys while the other swoops in unnoticed for the kill. A pair requires a large expanse of territory of up to 130 square kilometers (50 sq mi). These eagles are believed to live for up to 60 years. Philippine Eagles mate for life and breeding occurs between September and February, depending on rainfall, prey accessibility, and which island the birds live on. Nests resemble huge platforms made of sticks. One egg is laid and incubation lasts for 58 to 68 days. The parents will care for their offspring for nearly twenty months. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Eagle

ENERGY & NUTRIENTS Building the Web of Life

• Ecological pyramid Shows the relative amounts of energy/matter contained within each trophic level

• Trophic level Gr. trophe, “food” or “nourishment” feeding level

http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/hardtoget/ma149/images/figure15.jpg

Energy and Nutrients Ecological Pyramids

Energy and Nutrients Ecological Pyramids

Energy and Nutrients Ecological Pyramids

Energy and Nutrients Feeding Relationships

• Food chain: Organisms transfer energy by eating/being eaten

https://eapbiofield.wikispaces.com/file/view/FoodChain.gif

Energy and Nutrients Feeding Relationships

• Food web: Network of complex feeding relationships

Important Dates

• June 29 (F) – Meet the Scientist discussion with Dr. Sandra Yap (1150-1250, 4/F Auditorium)

• July 5 (Th) – Submission of Group Lab Report on Ecology

• July 5/6 (F) – 1st Long Test on all topics discussed so far; guide questions will be given for review next week