Ecology

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Ecology

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The study of the relationship between living things and their environment.

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Biotic Factor

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Living thing:
>autotrophs and heterotrophs
>bacteria of decay
>branches of large trees limiting light
>insect pollinating light

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Abiotic Factor

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Non-living. Physical things such as:
>sunlight
>pH
>temperature
>water
>clouds

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Habitat

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The area in which an organism lives

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Niche

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>An organisms place/role in the ecosystem (no two species can occupy the same niche)
>an organisms place in the food web
>conditions needed for survival
a. temperature range
b. dependability on water
>when and how it reproduces

Ex: frogs skin is so moist that oxygen can pass through. They also must lay eggs in water

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Competitive Exclusion Principle

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If two species compete for the same food source or reproductive sites, one species must be eliminated. This establishes one species per niche in a community.

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Ecological Levels of Organization

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Individual-->population (all of one species)-->community (all population in a given area)-->
ecosystem (community and environment)--> biome (large stable ecosystem)--> biosphere (part of earth where life exists)

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Species

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A group of similar looking organisms that can breed with one another to produce fertile offspring

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Populations and Growth

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>Growth Rate=the change in a populations growth
>a population can increase in size (+) or decrease in size (-) or remain constant
>Exponential Growth= "J" shaped curve (idead unlimited environment)
>Logistic Growth (Realistic)= "S" shaped curve (levels at carrying capacity)
>carrying capacity is the largest number of individuals an evnrionment can support

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Positive Population Growth

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>occurs when birth rate is higher than death rate
>occurs when conditions are ideal and will increase until something stops it.

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Limiting Factors

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>help stabilize population numbers when the population reaches carrying capacity for the ecosystem
a. Density Independent= factors
that affect all members of the
the population equally if
population is dense or not

b.Density dependent= factors
that affect crowded population

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Density Dependent Limiting Factors

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1.Competion=for limited resources is the most important limiting factor that affects carrying capacity

2. Predation= most species serve as food for others. These evolved relationships are important for health and survival of predator and prey populations (removes the weak and unhealthy)

3. Crowding and Stress=
>most animals have built in need for certain amount of space and end up fighting among themselves if they become overcrowded
>increase in stress reduces resistance to diseases, reduce mating or causes low birth rate
>individuals who are stressed may neglect, kill, or eat offspring

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Consumer

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Heterotrophic organisms that make their energy after eating produces and other consumers

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Herbivores

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Eat producers

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Carnivores

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Eat other consumers

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Omnivores

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Eat producers and consumers

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Levels of Consumers

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Primary Consumer (herbivore)--> secondary consumers (carnivores)--> 3rd/4th consumers

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Decomposers

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>Obtain energy from eating the remains of other organisms
>Two principle consumers are bacteria and fungi

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Food Chains and Energy Transfer

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>Food chains=show the transfer of energy through a series of organisms (energy flows in one direction)
>10% Rule=typically only 10% or energy at one level s transferred to the next level
b.energy is used by organisms for cell processes, respirations, capturing prey, and reproduction
a.explains why most food chains only have 4 or 5 trophic levels

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Food Webs

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>all food chains in a community interconnected to form one food web
>a change in population of one organism can affect all other organisms in the food web
>arrows point in the direction of energy flow (one direction)

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Biomass

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>amount of living tissue
>gives amount at each level
>represents amount of food available in ecosystem

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Carrying Capacity

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>maximum number or organisms the resources of an area can support
>the carrying capacity of an environment is limited by available abiotic and biotic resources and ability or ecosystems to recycle residue of dead organisms through activities of bacteria and fungi

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Predator-Prey Relationship

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Predation-interaction in which one organism captures and feeds on another organism
>predator does killing prey gets eaten
>always more prey than predators

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Symbiosis

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Two organisms living in close association

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Mutualism

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>++
>both benefit
>ex:bee and flower

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Parasitism

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> +-
>one benefits the other is negatively affected
>ex:ticks and deer

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Commensalism

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>+0
>one benefits and other isn't affected
>ex:barnacles and whales