Download Ecology Notes Part 1 for Ecology Test 1

Principles of Ecology
Ecology is the
scientific study of
the interactions
between
organisms and
their environment.
Discuss with your table partner:
Review the definitions of biotic and abiotic and identify
examples of each.
Biotic Factors:
Abiotic Factors:
Living organisms
_________ parts of
the environment.
(and ___________).
Examples:
__________
__________
__________
Examples:
__________
__________
__________
Levels of Organization:
The Hierarchy of Life
Organism: a living thing.
Discuss with your table partner:
Review the terms population, community and
ecosystem. Explain the difference between
these terms. Fill in your answers on the next 3
slides.
Population:
a group of organisms _____________
that live in the same area and can
potentially interbreed.
Community:
A group of ___________that interact.
Ecosystem:
The interaction between populations in
a community and the _________
______________ (abiotic factors).
Terrestrial Ecosystems: (Located on land)
• Forests
• Meadows
• Desert Scrub
Aquatic Ecosystems:
• Ponds
• Streams
• Tide Pools
Biome: A major region that shares similar
_________ ___________and therefore similar
plant communities.
Population Density
The number of organisms per unit of area.
Population Density = _____________________
Examples of units: caterpillars/m2, fir trees/mi2
If there are 500 frogs in a rain forest that is 10 mi2, what
is the population density of the frogs?
A. 5000 frogs/ mi2
B. 5000 frogs- mi2
C. 50 frogs/ mi2
Correct Answer: ____________
D. 50 frogs-mi2
E. 5 frogs/mi2
F. 5 frogs-mi2
Roles in the Ecosystem
Autotrophs:
Organisms that can produce their ____ _____
using energy from the sun (or in a few cases
certain chemical compounds). Another name
for an autotroph is _____________.
___________________________________
Almost all autotrophs perform photosynthesis.
A few bacteria can use the energy from certain
chemical compounds, such as sulfur
compounds from hydrothermal vents, to
provide the energy to make food.
This process is called ________________.
Video: Bill Nye on Hydrothermal Vents (5.5 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69hGvCsWgA
Review with your table partner:
Name similarities and differences between
photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.
Fill in similarities and difference on the next slide.
Photosynthesis
__________
__________
__________
__________
Chemosynthesis
_________
_________
_________
________
____________
____________
____________
____________
Heterotrophs:
Organisms that get their energy from
other organisms. Another name for a
heterotroph is ______________.
Types of Heterotrophs
Herbivores: feeds only on ___________.
Carnivores: feeds only on other animals.
• Predators: kill other animals.
• Scavengers: feed on ____________.
Types of Heterotrophs
Omnivores: Eat ______________
____________________.
Detritivores: Consume detritus (dead
matter).
Decomposers: Break down the
complex molecules in dead plants
and animals. Many bacteria and
most fungi are decomposers.
What would happen if there were no
decomposers?
__________________________
___________________________
______________.
Discuss with your table partner:
Identify an animal species that is a specialist and one
that is a generalist.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each
strategy? Fill in your answers on the next 2 slides.
Specialist: species that feeds mainly (or
completely) on _______ __________of food.
 Example: koalas feed on eucalyptus leaves.
 Advantage: Can usually ___________ other
species for this food source. Specialists can have
an advantage in a stable environment.
 Disadvantage: More vulnerable to
environmental change, if ___________________.
Generalist: species that feeds on a ____________
of food sources.
 Example: Raccoons
 Advantage: Has a broader niche. Usually
better able to survive changes to the
environment.
 Disadvantage: Generally ________________
___________________for a food source.