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What is Ecology?. Interactions between organisms & environment Interdisciplinary: chemistry, physics, geology, math. Statistical model of roads built in tropical rainforest by the year 2060. Where does life exist?. Geologic regions Atmosphere – layer of gases
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What is Ecology? • Interactions between organisms & environment • Interdisciplinary: chemistry, physics, geology, math Statistical model of roads built in tropical rainforest by the year 2060
Where does life exist? • Geologic regions • Atmosphere – layer of gases • Lithosphere – land partof Earth (rock, soil, sand) • Hydrosphere – all Earth’s water
Biosphere • All the spheres • Portion of Earth that supports life How much of the Earth do you think this region takes up?
2 types of factors influence organism’s environment • Abiotic – nonliving elements (rain, wind, soil, temperature) • Biotic – living factors
Organism – has all characteristics of life • Population – group of organisms living together at same time; reproduce
Community – several populations in same area at same time • Ecosystem – interactions between populations in a community & abioticelements in their surroundings • Habitats • Niches • Species interactions
Niche & Habitat • Habitat –where organism lives out its life • Includes abiotic & biotic factors • Not static • Niche – organism’s role & location in its environment to meet unique needs • How organism: • Obtains food • Finds shelter • Reproduces • Reduces competition
Influences on Ecosystems Can you think of any examples of things that might influence a habitat? • Natural & human causes
Examples Natural Disasters: a) Hurricane Katrina, 2005 Before After
b) Volcanic Eruptions: Mount St. Helens, Washington State May, 1980 Before After
Predator-prey Relationships • One organism seeksanother for food • Maintains balance • Prey species may benefit(↓ competition, ↑ food) • Predator Strategies • Ambush • Camouflage
Prey Strategies • 1. Defense • Quick escape • Predatordetection Nebraskan cockroach Meerkat keeping watch
Protective shells, bark, spines • Camouflage Red-eared slider Porcupine Stick bug
2. Chemical warfare – poisons, odors, irritants, unpleasant taste **Organisms using this strategy often have bright, warning colors 3. Behavior – mimicry, group size Skunk Monarch Viceroy
Symbiotic Relationships(close association) 3 types: 1. Parasitism – feeds on and lives on/in host; ( +, - ) White-tailed deer - host Deer tick - parasite
2. Mutualism – ( +, + ) • Pollination • Food supply • Protection Clownfish and Sea Anemone Rhinoceros and Horn-billed Puffin/Rhinoceros Auklet
3. Commensalism –( +, o ) Grey whale and Barnacles
Intraspecific – between members of same species • Fight for same resources • Habitat • Nutrients • Water • Soil • Abundant resources = sharing
Number of individuals Species 1 Species 2 Region of niche overlap Resource use Number of individuals Species 1 Species 2 Resource use • Interspecific –between members of different species