Introduction to Ecology

Unit 2

Biology is the study of:

All living thingsAll life processesThe habitats of living thingsThe interactions between and

among living thingsThe history of living thingsThe future of living things

What is Ecology? Ecology: the study

of the relationship between organisms and their environment Involves observing

relationship patterns and seeking to explain them

Levels of Ecological Organization 1) Biosphere: Earth & its atmosphere 2) Biome: very large climatic regions 3) Ecosystem: organisms and non-living

things in one area 4) Community: interacting organisms in one

area 5) Population: all members of one species in

an area 6) Organism: how they are adapted to their

environments

Levels of Ecological Organization

What are biomes?

Biomes are large geographical areas that have similar climates and ecosystems.

Major Biomes: (THERE ARE OTHERS!!)

Tundra Taiga Temperate deciduous forest Tropical Rain forest Grassland Desert

BiogeographyBiogeography: the study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time. 

Phytogeography: the branch of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution of plant species and their influence on the earth's surface. (Flora)

Zoogeography: the branch of the science of biogeography that is concerned with the geographic distribution (present and past) of animal species. (Fauna)

Factors that Influence Organisms 2 Types:

1) Abiotic: “non-living”

i.e. temperature, pH, climate

2) Biotic Factors: “living”

i.e. bacteria, plants, animals

A Key Concept in Ecology: Interdependence Interconnectedness & Interactions

All organisms interact with other organisms and non-living things in the environment

Survival depends on this Any disturbance may cause widespread

effects

Another Key Concept in Ecology: The Niche Niche: the specific role a species plays in

the environment

Includes: The conditions they can tolerate Their methods of obtaining resources # of offspring created Time of reproduction (ex: human = 9 months) All other specialized interactions with the

environment

ADAPTATIONS

An invention is a tool people develop to aid in accomplishing a task.

**An adaptation is like an invention~~

it is a tool an organism uses to help it survive by accomplishing a task.

Adaptations A trait with a

current functional role in the life history of an organism

Is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection.

Adaptations enhance the fitness and survival of individuals.

There are three basic categories of adaptations:

Behavioral Adaptations

Morphological Adaptations

Physiological Adaptations

Behavioral adaptations deal with an organism’s actions, either individually or as a group.

Morphological adaptations deal

with an organism’s physical structure.

By the way, can you think of an invention which models this function?

Physiological Adaptation A metabolic or physiologic adjustment

within the: cells, or tissues

In response to an environmental stimulus Results in the improved ability of that

organism to cope with its changing environment.

Adaptations may refer to an organism’s ability to change in order to cope with

changing environmental circumstances

In winter their fur is also much thicker. Which type of adaptation is this?

Locomotion

Reproduction

Guess what? An inventor modeled his idea for velcro from this adaptation!

Offense or Defense?

Bacteria strains develop resistances to antibiotics.

Insects develop resistance to pesticides.

Defense and Protection

Camouflage Mimicry

Two well-known strategies:

Camouflage is an organism’s ability to blend in with its environment, usually in order to protect itself from dangers such as predation and competition.

Mimicry is different from camouflage in that while camouflage hides an organism, mimicry often advertises the organism, either to attract prey or a mate, or to avoid becoming a predator’s next meal.

more mimics

Other Survival Mechanisms

1)Acclimation: organisms adjust their tolerance to abiotic factors

2) Dormancy: state of decreased activity in response to unfavorable conditions

3) Migration: when organisms move to more favorable environmental conditions