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2.1.U2 A habitat is the environment in which a species It is useful to be aware that for some organisms,
normally lives. habitats can change over time as a result of
migration.
What is Ecology?
The study of the living (biotic) and non-
living (abiotic) parts that interact within an
ecosystem.
2.1 U5 The nonliving, physical factors that influence the
organisms and ecosystem – such as temperature, sunlight, pH,
salinity and precipitation – are termed abiotic factors
Biotic or Abiotic?
Levels of Organization
Ecologists study several levels of
organizations
Species
Population
Community
Ecosystem
Biome
Biosphere
2.1 U1 A species is a group of organisms that share common
characteristics and that interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
What is an Ecosystem?
A community of interdependent
organisms and the interactions with the
physical environment in which they live.
It can also be defined as the abiotic and
biotic factors and the interactions
between them.
The interaction between organisms and
the environment is the key!
2.1 U1 A species is a group of organisms that share common
characteristics and that interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
Naming Species
Species or Not?
Populations change and respond to interactions with the
environment
Visit http://www.animalplanet.com/wild-
animals/endangered-species/ and find two
species of your liking. Then using the
information from the site try to complete the
information. Then, do a short presentation in
class
Species scientific name
Species common name
Habitat
Photo
IUCN status
2.1 U2 A habitat is the environment in which a species normally
lives
Includes:
• Space utilisation
• Food consumption
• Temperature range
• Moisture requirements
2.1 U3 A niche describes the particular set of abiotic and biotic
conditions and resources which an organism or population
responds
• Able to interbreed
• Populations can be
separated by
geography
eventually stopping
interbreeding
• Formation of a new
species
2.1 U8 A population is a group of organisms of the same species
living in the same area at the same time
▪ Predation = hunting
2.1 U6 The interaction between the organisms – such as
predation, herbivore, parasitism, ,mutualism, disease, and
competition – are termed biotic factors
▪ Predator/Prey
Data interpretation: Competition
The biologists Lotka and Volterra theorized that no two species with similar
requirements for resources (food, shelter, etc.) could coexist in the same niche
without competition driving one to local extinction.
In 1930s G.F. Gause tested the Lotka-Volterra theory by growing two Paramecium
species in identical conditions. However, he found that if he grew them together
that only one species prevailed.
In your notes:
Using what you
know explain the
findings of G.F.
Gause.
Population Dynamics
• Population Dynamics
• A major component of modern
ecological research focuses on
understanding what influences
the abundance of organisms
within a population, and why
this abundance changes over
time.
• Population dynamics refers to
how populations of a species
change over time
2.1 U7 Interactions should be understood in terms of the
influences each species has on the population dynamics of
others, and upon the carrying capacity of the others’ environment.
These interactions
dictate how
populations of
different species
fluctuate within an
ecosystem
2.1 U9 S and J population curves describe a generalized
response of populations to a particular set of conditions (abiotic
and biotic factors)
▪ Without limiting
factors, there will
be exponential
growth (there is
nothing limiting
population size)
▪ Is this realistic for
most populations?
Justify your
answer!
2.1 U9 S and J population curves describe a generalized
response of populations to a particular set of conditions (abiotic
and biotic factors)
▪ Plateau Phase
▪ When population reaches carrying
capacity (K) there is no longer
growth
▪ Where exponential growth slows
until we reach carrying capacity is
called environmental resistance
S-Curves
2.1 U9 S and J population curves describe a generalized
response of populations to a particular set of conditions (abiotic
and biotic factors)
S-Curves
2.1 U9 S and J population curves describe a generalized
response of populations to a particular set of conditions (abiotic
and biotic factors)
S-Curves
2.1 U9 S and J population curves describe a generalized
response of populations to a particular set of conditions (abiotic
and biotic factors)
Carrying Capacity
▪ The maximum number of organisms of a
single species that an ecosystem can
support
2.1 U10 Limiting factors will slow population growth as it
approaches the carrying capacity of the system.
Carrying Capacity
▪ Sketch what a population growth curve would
look like if there were no limiting factors.
2.1 U10 Limiting factors will slow population growth as it
approaches the carrying capacity of the system
Limiting Factors
▪ Factors in an ecosystem that limit the population size if
there are is too much or too little of it.
▪ Sunlight
▪ Precipitation
▪ Salinity
▪ Nutrients in the soil
▪ Food
▪ Limiting factors cause a reduction in population growth as they
become in short supply.
2.1 U10 Limiting factors will slow population growth as it
approaches the carrying capacity of the system
Density-dependent factors
▪ Will increase or decrease the carrying
capacity of a population based on the size of
the population
▪ Come up with three factors
2.1 U10 Limiting factors will slow population growth as it
approaches the carrying capacity of the system
Density-independent factors
▪ Will increase or decrease the carrying
capacity regardless of the size of the
population
▪ Come up with three factors
2.1 U10 Limiting factors will slow population growth as it
approaches the carrying capacity of the system