Download Ecology

An Introduction to Ecology and the Biosphere
The Scope of Ecology
 1. What environmental factors determine the
geographic distribution of gray whales?
 2. How do variations in their food supply affect the size
of the gray whale population?
 Ecology – the scientific study of the interactions
between organisms and the environment
 https://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/gwh
ale/maps/map_annual.gif
 http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/whale_gra
ymigration
Hierarchy of scales that ecologists study
 https://quizlet.com/bioteach57
52.1 Ecology integrates all areas of biological research
and informs environmental decision making
 Discovery science - describes natural structures and
processes as accurately as possible through careful
observation and analysis of data
 Experimental science – generate hypotheses,
manipulate the environment, and observe the
outcome
 Ex) Fig. 52.3 – Findings? Advantages over using
discovery science instead?
Linking Ecology and Evolutionary
Biology
Ecological effect vs an evolutionary
effect
Ecology and Environmental Issues
 Science vs advocacy
 https://www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference/12-
presentations/Saffert_NJ%20Fertilizer%20Law.pdf
 http://nj.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/envh10.sci.lif
e.eco.silentspring/rachel-carsons-silent-spring/
52.2 Interactions between organisms and the
environment limit the distribution of species
 Where and why do species occur where they do?
 Biotic vs abiotic factors
 https://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/129184136.pn
g
 Fig 52.5
Dispersal and Distribution
 The movement of individuals away from their area of
origin or from centers of high population density.
 Is dispersal a key factor in limiting the distribution of a
species?
 Natural range expansions vs species transplants
 Fig. 52.7 Dispersal of the cattle egret in the Americas
 Potential range vs actual range
 http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birdi
ng/european-starling/
Behavior and Habitat Selection
 Must be able to tolerate conditions in the habitat and
be able to find the resources it needs to survive
 https://ipm.illinois.edu/fieldcrops/insects/european_c
orn_borer.pdf
Biotic Factors
 Does the presence of other species limit distribution?
 Predation, parasitism, or competition
 Fig. 52.8 Does feeding by sea urchins limit seaweed
distribution?