Ecology

EcologyTopic 5.1 5.3Mrs. MilamAdapted from Ms. Davies5.1.1 Define species, habitat, population, community, ecosystem and ecology.Ecology: Environment has 2 components: : nonliving factors (soil, water, weather, pH) : living factors (all forms of life)5.1.1 Define species, habitat, population, community, ecosystem and ecology.Ecologists study environments at different levels of organization:Population: Species: Habitat:

5.1.1 Define species, habitat, population, community, ecosystem and ecology.Community:

Ecosystem:

5.1.1 Define species, habitat, population, community, ecosystem and ecology.Biosphere:

OrganismOrganismPopulationPopulationCommunityCommunityEcosystemEcosystem

BiomeLevels of Organization65.1.9 State that light is the initial energy source for almost all communitiesAlmost all activities of life are powered by Energy enters ecosystems through

5.1.2 Distinguish between autotroph and heterotroph.Autotrophs or producers: convert (food); become the

Heterotrophs: an organism that

5.1.3 Distinguish between consumers, detritivores and saprotrophsHeterotrophs include:Consumers: Detritivores: organisms that (ex: earthworms, maggots, slime molds)Saprotrophs: (ex: bacteria, fungi)5.1.4 Describe what is meant by a food chain, giving three examples, each with at least three linkages (four organisms)The feeding relationships between organisms can be organized into a food chain.A food chain is a 5.1.4 Describe what is meant by a food chain, giving three examples, each with at least three linkages (four organisms)Food chains:

The arrow is pointing at the organism doing the consumingHelioconius butterflyhttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XlUWKcZV7wg/TGK9bg09fAI/AAAAAAAAAXs/EpokiiPbkQA/s1600/Heliconius_erato_001.JPGPassionflowerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Violet_Passion_Flower.jpg#filelinksJaguarTegu lizardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupinambis

5.1.5 Describe what is meant by a food web.Natural communities have food webs rather than simple food chainsA food web shows 5.1.5 Describe what is meant by a food web.

5.1.6 Define trophic levelAn ecological niche is unique to each species and includes all aspects of its way of life:Physical Physical (range of temp it can withstand, pH of soil, amount of moisture it needs, etc.) trophic levelOrganisms role in ecosystem its occupation5.1.6 Define trophic levelTrophic levels represent Feeding level: autotrophic organisms that make food herbivores; eat producers eat primary consumers & possibly producers eat secondary consumers & possibly primary consumers & producers eat tertiary consumers & possibly secondary & primary & producers

*Top carnivore top of the food chain

5.1.7 Deduce the trophic level of organisms in a food chain and a food web.Trophic levels can be studied by looking at each step in a food chain represents a

5.1.7 Deduce the trophic level of organisms in a food chain and a food web.Which tropic level?Which tropic level?Which tropic level?Which tropic level?175.1.8 Construct a food web containing up to 10 organisms using appropriate information.Can you label the trophic levels for this food web?

5.1.10 Explain the energy flow in a food chain.5.1.11 State that energy transformations are never 100% efficient.Energy flows from one trophic level to the nextProducers get their energy from the sun through photosynthesis.Energy then flows from the plant to the primary consumer that eats itThe energy transfer continues from one level to the nextTransfer of energy through trophic levels is 5.1.10 Explain the energy flow in a food chain.Each level only passes approximately Why?Some of the energy is used for Some of the energy is Some of the energy is (ex. Cellulose)Less and less energy is available to subsequent levels food chain.

5.1.12 Explain reasons for the shape of pyramids of energy.The amount of life an ecosystem can support depends on Gross primary productivity Plants use 10 70% of their gross productivity for their own energy needs5.1.12 Explain reasons for the shape of pyramids of energy.Net primary productivity Measured in Also measured in dry weight of organic matterProductivity of an ecosystem is influenced by many factors (amount of sun, water, temperature)5.1.12 Explain reasons for the shape of pyramids of energy.Transfer between trophic levels can be studied through ecological pyramidsPyramid of energy

5.1.12 Explain reasons for the shape of pyramids of energy.Pyramid of Numbers number of individuals at each trophic levelGenerally

5.1.12 Explain reasons for the shape of pyramids of energy.Pyramid of Biomass shows the amount of biomass at each trophic level

5.1.13 Explain that energy enters and leaves ecosystems, but nutrients must be recycledEnergy moves through the communities of ecosystems in Energy enters ecosystems as , is , but is .5.1.13 Explain that energy enters and leaves ecosystems, but nutrients must be recycled5.1.14 State that saprotrophic bacteria and fungi (decomposers) recycle nutrients.Nutrients constantly Nutrients Saprotrophs (bacteria and fungi)