Download Chapter 19 – Introduction to Ecology

Chapter 2 – Introduction to
Ecology
Section 1: Organisms and Their
Relationships
Ecology
Ecology
– the study of the
interactions between
organisms and the
biotic and abiotic
components of their
environment
The Biosphere
• The biosphere is the portion of Earth that
supports life.
– “bio” means life
– “sphere” refers to the shape of our planet that
resembles a ball
• “The ball of life”
– Includes our atmosphere, landmasses, bodies of
freshwater and saltwater, and locations below the
Earth’s surface that supports life.
The Biosphere Cont.
• Biotic Factors
– All of the LIVING things in an
organism’s environment.
• Abiotic Factors
– All of the NONLIVING things
in an organism’s environment
• Includes temperature, air
currents, sunlight, rainfall,
soil type and available
nutrients
A Key Theme in Ecology
• No single organism is isolated!!
– The interconnectedness or interdependence of all
organisms is central to the study of ecology
– The survival of organisms depends on their
interactions with their surrounding environment
• Ex: Humans cannot live without the plants that produce
food and oxygen
Levels of Organization
The Biosphere
• Biosphere: the broadest and most inclusive
level of organization
– The Earth and its atmosphere make up our
biosphere
• Extends from 8 to 10 km (5-6 miles) above the Earth’s
surface to the deepest parts of the ocean
Ecosystems
• The biosphere is comprised of smaller units
called ecosystems
– Includes all of the organisms and the abiotic
environment found in a specific place
• Ex: Pond Ecosystem
– Abiotic components: water temperature, amount of dissolved
oxygen and carbon dioxide, the pH level
– Biotic components: insects, fish, algae, aquatic plants, turtles
– Some ecosystems can be considered the habitat of an
organism.
Chapter 18
Ecosystem
The Niche
• Niche
– the role an organism plays in its environment
– Includes:
• Range of conditions the organism can tolerate
• Methods by which it obtains resources
• Interactions with its environment such as reproduction
Earthworms Niche
Community Interactions
• Community
• all of the interacting organisms living in an area
– Ex: All of the fish, turtles, insects, plants and algae make
up the community of a pond
• Competition occurs when more than one organism
uses a resource at the same time.
– Ex: Lions and hyenas compete for the same food sources.
• Predation is the act of one organism consuming
another for food.
Chapter 18
Community
Symbiotic Relationships
• Most species survive because of relationships
called symbiosis
– Mutualism:
• Both organisms benefit
– Ex: The Egyptian plover takes insects from the backs of
buffaloes, giraffes and rhinos
Symbiotic Relationships
• Commensalism:
– One benefits; the other is not affected
• Ex: Sea anemone and the clown fish.
• Parasitism:
– One benefits at the expense of the other
• Ex: Deer tick and mammal
Visual Concept