Download Introduction to Ecology

Introduction to
Ecology
Chapter 50
 Study
Ecology
of interactions between
organisms and the environment
 Interactions determine the
abundance and distribution of
organisms
 Since prehistoric times humans
are interested in this dist. &
abund. WHY???
Ecology
 Changing
was a descriptive
science, now is becoming more
of an experimental science
 Provides a scientific context
for evaluation of environmental
issues
 Is very closely related to
evolutionary biology
Environment
Affects
the distribution of
organisms
Is made up of
Abiotic
no living components
Biotic living components
Abiotic Factors
Light
 Water
 Temperature
 Soil
 O2/CO2

Periodic disturbances in all these leads to
species diversity
Biotic Factors
 Individual
organisms
 Populations
 Communities
 Ecosystems
 Biosphere global ecosystem
All living organisms of the earth
portion that can sustain life
Distribution of Organisms
 Distinct
global and regional patterns
in the distribution of organisms
 Biogeography is the study of past
and present distributions of
individual species
 Ecologists what limits the
geographical distribution of any
species
Factors that Affect Distribution
Species dispersal
 Behavior and Habitat Selection
 Biotic factors
 Abiotic

Species dispersal

Transplanted species
Successful potential
range of the species is
larger than the actual
range.
Unsuccessful,
distribution is limited by
other species or abiotic
factors
Problems with Introduced
Species
Transplanted
species explode
Ex: African honeybee
& Zebra
mussel

Behavior and Habitat Selection




organisms select particular habitats
Insects  oviposition, breeding areas
Chemical signaling between plants and
pollinators
Evolution does not produce the perfect
organism populations do not evolve
overnight, even natural selection may not be
Biotic Factors

Predators limit distribution of prey
species
Abiotic Factors
Temperature
 Water
 Sunlight
 Wind
 Rocks and soil

Temperature and Water

Climate is the prevailing weather
conditions in an area
 major
components Temperature, water,
light, and wind

Climate determines the makeup of
Biomes
Climate and Biomes
Temperature and Water

Global Climate Patterns Sunlight &
Planet’s movement
Temperature and Water contd
 Local
and seasonal effects on
climate
 Microclimate
 Long-term climate change
 Effect of mountains on rainfall
Biomes
A distinct ecological community of
plants and animals living together in a
particular climate
 Biomes often run into each other
 Major types

 Aquatic
 Terrestrial
Aquatic Biomes

Vertical stratification of aquatic biomes
 The
photic zone
 The aphotic zone
 Thermocline
 The benthic zone
Freshwater biomes



The littoral zone is
shallow and close to
shore.
The limnetic zone is
the open surface
water.
The profundal zone
consists of the deep,
aphotic regions.
Lakes

Oligotrophic

Eutrophic
Lakes
Streams and Rivers
Wetlands
Estuaries
Zones in Marine Communities
Coral Reefs
Terrestrial Biomes
Tropical Rain forest
 Savanna
 Desert
 Chaparal
 Temperate grasslands
 Temperate deciduous forest
 Coniferous forest
 Tundra

The Spatial Scale of Distributions
Different factors may determine the
distribution of a species on different
scales
 Most species have small geographic
ranges
