Biological Diversity

Ecosystems and Ecology

Science 9 Unit A

What is ecology?
The study of the interactions of living organisms with one another and with their physical environment

INTERACT

Abiotic Factors

Biotic Factors

What is a biological community?

Interacting populations living in a certain area at a certain time.
Population: a group of organisms, all of the same species, which interbreed and live in the same area at the same time.

Eg: Prairie Community

What is a niche?
An organisms niche is the specific role they play within an ecosystem For example- A bisons niche in a prairie ecosystem is as a herbivore as they are adapted to eat plants

Eg: Prairie Community

Symbiosis= living together

Symbiosis: a long lasting, ecological relationship that benefits at least one organism of two different species that live in close contact Three types: Mutalism, Commensalism and parasitism.

Mutualism
A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit
Eg: Clown fish and Sea Anemone

Eg: Nitrogen fixing bacteria in nodules on roots of legumes

Commensalism
A form of symbiosis in which one organism benefits, and the other organism is neither helped nor harmed.
Eg- Cowbird feeding on insects that are stirred up by movement of cattle/ bison Eg- Remora and Manta Ray Eg- Barnacles on Whales

Parasitism
A symbiotic relationship in which one organism called the parasite, derives benefit at the expense of another organism, called the host.
Eg: Malaria- caused by parasite Plasmodium carried by some mosquitoes

Predator-Prey Interactions
Predation: an interaction where one organism the predator, kills and eats another organism, called the prey Eg: Lynx predation and its effect on snowshoe hare populations

What is competition?
An interaction in which two or more organisms compete for the same limited resources. Harms all involved
Eg: Lynx and Great Horned Owl Eg: Plants for light, water and soil nutrients

Summary- Key Concepts

Ecosystems and Ecology Abiotic and biotic factors Symbiosis Predation Competition