Introduction to Ecology

1. Introduction to Ecology

2. Introduction to Ecology • Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

3. Levels of Organization

4. Levels of Organization • Organism: A complete living unit which make up a: • Species: A group of organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce viable offspring. • This is the same level of organization.

5. Levels of Organization • Population: All members of a single species in an ecosystem.

6. Levels of Organization • Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

7. Levels of Organization • Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment.

8. Levels of Organization • Biomes: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. • These are usually classified according to the predominant vegetation. Also, fresh water and marine biomes

9. Levels of Organization • The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems). • This includes all: • Land • Water • Air (atmosphere)

10. Levels of Organization • The biosphere extends about 8 km above the Earth’s surface and as far as 11 km below the surface of the ocean.

11. Ecological Methods • Ecologist use a wide range of tools and techniques to study the living world. • Binoculars • Field guides • Soil/Water Test kits • Etc……..

12. Ecological Methods • Regardless of the tools they use, scientists conduct modern ecological research using three basic approaches.

13. Ecological Methods • Observing: This is usually the first step in asking ecological questions? • Most questions are simple: • What species live here? • How many individuals of each species are there?

14. Ecological Methods • Observations (cont.) • Many observations can lead to more complex questions and may form the first step in designing experiments and models. • What is the effects do humans have on the environment?

15. Ecological Methods • Experimenting: Experiments can be used to test hypotheses. • May use artificial environments in a lab. • Other experiments are conduct in the natural ecosystem.

16. Ecological Methods • Modeling: Many ecological phenomena occur over long periods of time and on very large scales which make them difficult to study. • Example: Global Warming • Most models consist of mathematical formulas based on data collected through observation and experimentation. • Predictions made by ecological modeling are often tested by further observations.

17. Quiz Questions • You have 15 – 20 minutes to study for a quiz based on the following questions: • List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest. • Define each of the six levels of organization. • Suppose you wanted to know if the water in the Carson River is safe to drink. Which ecological method(s) would you choose and why?

18. Question #1 • Define Organism.

19. Question #2 • Define Biome

20. Question #3 • Define Population:

21. Question #4 • Define Ecosystem:

22. Question #5 • Define Biosphere

23. Question #6 • Define Community

24. Question #7 • List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest.

25. Answers • Organism: A complete living unit which make up a species • Biome: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities. • Population: All members of a single species in an ecosystem. • Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment. • Biosphere: The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems). • Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

26. Answers 7.