Sharon Ravitz Wyngaard

Ecology
The study of the relationships
between biotic and a-biotic
factors in environments.
 Biome

Landscape
 Ecosystem
Includes all a-biotic
(the nonliving parts)
and
biotic (the living
parts) factors in one
particular
environment ----
ecosystem.
Ecosystem is…

An open system: A system that

Energy flow aims to
Materials flow homeostasis:
Information
•Positive feedback
•Negative feedback
•Carrying Capacity K
Energy flow-
Energy flow
Energy- the ability to
perform (to move, to light,
to heat…)
The main source of energy
on our planet is the sun.

No technology can produce

the basic carbon
foundation for our food:
the Carbon, or sugar.
Energy flow

Photosynthesis
Energy flows through an ecosystem
in one direction from producers to
various levels of consumer
Food web
Energy Pyramid
 Not very
efficient

300 people
3,000 hens
333,000 kg wheat

600 people
333,000 kg wheat
 7 kg of grain = 1 kg of meat

This
efficiency (or
lack of it)
influences
our
agriculture
 Ecological
Efficiency

 The efficiency at which

energy is transferred
from one trophic level
to another is called
ecological efficiency.
 On average it is
estimated that there is
only a 10 percent
transfer
of energy.
 0.001%

45%

13%
Time 10… increase
One example…

 What are micro beads?

 Ban micro beads! (?)

 There is no
action
without a
reaction!
Hydrologic cycle
Carbon Cycle
Biotic potential

 The potential of a population to grow

Limiting factors:
water
light
space
temperature and more…

Liebig Low of Minimum-

The most limiting factor
determines the
population size, yield
potential etc’
Carrying Capacity- K
 There is no
action
without a
reaction!