INTRODUCTION TO

ECOLOGY
Define ecology
The scientific study of interactions among organisms and between
organisms and the environment.
Biosphere contains the
combined portions of the planet
in which all of life exist, including
land, water and atmosphere
Level of Organization of an
Ecosystem
Species

• Species - group
of organisms so
similar to
another that
they can breed
and produce
fertile offspring
 Population
• Population – same
species and live in
same area
 Community
• Communities –
different populations
that live together in a
defined area
 Ecosystem
• Ecosystem – a
collection of all
organisms that live in a
particular place
together with their
nonliving environment.
 Biome
• Biome – a group of
ecosystems that have
the same climate and
similar dominant
communities.
What shapes an Ecosystem?
 Biotic and Abiotic
• Biotic and Abiotic factors determine the survival and growth of an
organism and the productivity of the ecosystem in which an
organism lives.
 Biotic Factors
• Living Factors that
influence an ecosystem
• Plant life
• Animal life
 Abiotic Factors
• Physical, non-living
factors that influence
an ecosystem
• Examples-
temperature,
precipitation, humidity,
wind, nutrients,
sunlight
 Other factors that affect an
Ecosystem
• The area where an organism lives is • A niche is the full range of physical
called its habitat. and biological conditions in which an
organism lives and the way in which
the organism uses those conditions.
• Habitats provide populations of It is an organisms’ occupation.
wildlife with food, water, shelter and
space.
Cycles that affect Ecosystems
Water Cycle
 Water Cycle Definitions
• Evaporation – process of becoming a vapor; liquid to a
gas
• Condensation – state of matter from gas to liquid;
reverse of vaporization
• Precipitation – the amount of water that falls to earth
as snow, sleet, hail, rain, mist
• Transpiration – loss of water from a plant through its
leaves
• Runoff – the flow of water, from snow and rain
• Infiltration – process by which water on the ground
enters soil
Carbon Cycle
 CO2 Cycle Description
• Plants release O2 into atmosphere as a waste product
• Animals release CO2 into atmosphere as a waste product
• Factories and cars release CO 2 into atmosphere through combustion.
• Plants use CO2 during photosynthesis and animals use O2 for
respiration.
 Energy Flow
• Every organism needs energy to power life’s processes

• The flow of energy through an ecosystem is one of the most

important factors that determines the ability to sustain life
 Autotrophs
• Captures energy from sunlight or chemicals and use that energy to
produce food.
• Other names are producers or plants.
• Are essential for the flow of energy through the biosphere
• Produce food through Photosynthesis
Examples ofAutotrophs
 Heterotrophs
• Organisms that rely on other organisms for their energy and food
supply.
• Consumer is another name
• Types of Consumers
• Herbivores
• Carnivores
• Omnivores
• Decomposers
• Detritivores
Examples of Consumers
 Decomposers
• Breaks down dead/
decay matter
• Bacteria and fungi are
examples of
decomposers
• Detritivores feed on
plant/animal remains
• Millipedes and
earthworms are
detritivores
 Parasites
A parasite is an
organism that lives
on or in a host
organism and gets its
food from or at the
expense of its host.
Example – Tick, Flea,
Tapeworm
Energy Flow
Energy flows through an ecosystem in one direction from the
sun to autotrophs (producers) and then to heterotrophs
(consumers).
 Food Chains
• A food chain is a series
of steps in which
organisms transfer
energy by eating and
being eaten.
 Food Web
• A network of complex
feeding relationships
among the various
organisms in an
ecosystem
 Energy Pyramid
• Trophic level is each step
in a food chain/web
• A diagram that shows the
amount of energy or
matter contained within
each trophic level in a food
chain/web
• Only about 10% of the
energy available within
one trophic level is passed
to organisms in the next
trophic level.
• Ecological Succession
a series of
predictable changes in
an environment
 Succession
• Primary Succession – succession that occurs on the surface where
no soil exists
• Pioneer Species first species to populate the area
• Examples- lichen and moss
 Examples of Pioneer Species
• Lichen
 Succession
• Secondary Succession – following a disturbance that destroys a
community without destroying the soil.
• Example- land cleared and plowed for farming
• Example – Fires set by lightning