* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Chapter 3: The Biosphere
Toxicodynamics wikipedia , lookup
Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project wikipedia , lookup
Landscape ecology wikipedia , lookup
Biodiversity action plan wikipedia , lookup
Ecological resilience wikipedia , lookup
Biogeography wikipedia , lookup
Ecosystem services wikipedia , lookup
Agroecology wikipedia , lookup
Ecological fitting wikipedia , lookup
Molecular ecology wikipedia , lookup
History of wildlife tracking technology wikipedia , lookup
Reconciliation ecology wikipedia , lookup
Deep ecology wikipedia , lookup
Restoration ecology wikipedia , lookup
Soundscape ecology wikipedia , lookup
Cultural ecology wikipedia , lookup
Theoretical ecology wikipedia , lookup
Introduction to Ecology What is Ecology? Interactions and Interdependence Ecology – field of science that studies the interactions of organisms and between organisms and their environment • “eco-” “oikos” (Greek) “house” • “ology” “study of” • Ecology is the study of nature’s houses! Interactions and Interdependence The largest of these “houses” is the biosphere • • Biosphere – combined portions of the planet in which all life exists, including land water and air The biosphere is ~8 km above earth’s surface and ~11 km below ocean’s surface INTERACTIONS within the biosphere create a web of INTERDEPENDENCE is created between organisms and their environment Levels of Organization Non-Ecology Cell – basic unit of life Tissue – groups of similar cells Organs – groups of similar tissues Organ Systems – groups of organs with a similar function Organism – groups of organ systems that make up an individual Ecology Species – group of similar organisms that can breed with one another and produce fertile offspring Population – group of same species in the same area Community – group of different populations in the same area Ecosystem – all living and non-living things in the same area Biome – group of ecosystems with similar climates and communities Biosphere – all biomes put together Organism Population Community (Giraffe) (Herd of Giraffes) (Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Trees, Grass) Biosphere Biome Ecosystem (Earth) (Southeast area of Africa outlined in yellow) (Living and Non-living) Ecological Methods Ecologists have three (3) basic approaches to conducting research: • Observing • Ex: Jane Goodall • Experimentation • Artificial environment in laboratory or within natural ecosystem • Modeling • Often used to study phenomena that occur over a long period of time (e.g. global warming)