Ecosystems
Objectives:
Describe four factors that affect population size
Identify factors that limit population growth
Explain the difference between primary and secondary succession
Differentiate between habitat and niche
Key Questions and Terms Notes
Population Dynamics – PERIOD 1
What is the focus of the study of population The study of how and why populations change
dynamics? What do ecologists investigate? over time and space. Ecologists investigate
factors affecting population size, distribution,
and dynamics.
What is migration? Movement of organisms from one place to
another, often seasonal
What is immigration? Movement of individuals into a population,
increasing its size.
What is emigration? Movement of individuals out of a population,
decreasing its size.
What is a habitat? The natural environment where an organism
lives, providing food, shelter, and mates.
Describe how the following factors affect Can increase (immigration) or decrease
population size: (emigration) population size depending on the
Migration direction of movement, population size; higher
Births birth rates lead to population growth. Quality
Habitats and availability of habitats affect population
sustainability and growth.
Carrying Capacity - PERIOD 2
What is carrying capacity? The maximum population size that an
environment can sustainably support,
considering available resources.
What is biological surplus? The excess of individuals in a population that
exceeds the carrying capacity, leading to
competition for resources.
How do ecologists determine carrying The excess of individuals in a population that
capacity? exceeds the carrying capacity, leading to
competition for resources.
Describe the two patterns used to describe Peak Phenomena: Characterized by sharp
carrying capacity: increases and declines in population size.
Peak phenomena Sigmoid Phenomena: S-shaped curve showing
Sigmoid phenomena gradual growth, stabilizing when carrying
capacity is reached.
What is a climax community? A stable community that undergoes little
change in species composition over time,
reached through ecological succession.
Limiting Factors - PERIOD 3
What are open systems? Ecosystems that exchange energy and matter
with their surroundings, affecting population
dynamics.
What are limiting factors? Environmental conditions that restrict
population growth, such as food availability,
predation, disease, and habitat space
Describe the limiting factors that can affect Density-dependent factors: Effects increase as
carrying capacity. population density rises (e.g., competition,
predation).
Density-independent factors: Affect
populations regardless of size (e.g., natural
disasters, climate).
Abiotic Factors - PERIOD 3
How can abiotic factor affect population size? Non-living components like temperature,
water, sunlight, soil quality, and nutrients can
influence population health and growth.
What are succession ecological events? Natural processes that change the species
composition in an area over time.
Describe the two types of succession and when Primary Succession: Occurs in lifeless areas
they occur: (e.g., after a volcanic eruption); starts from
Primary succession bare rock.
Secondary succession Secondary Succession: Occurs in areas where a
disturbance has destroyed an existing
community but soil remains (e.g., after a forest
fire).
Community Interactions Review – PERIOD 4 INDIVIDUAL WORK
Fill in the review chart on the types of relationships that can be found in an ecosystem.
Relationship Benefits Example
Parasitism One organism benefits at the Tapeworms in the intestines of
expense of another animals.
Commensalism Barnacles on a whale.
One organism benefits while the
other is neither helped nor
harmed.
Mutualism Both organisms benefit from the Bees pollinating flowers.
relationship.
Competition Both organisms are harmed as Two species of birds competing for
they compete for the same nesting sites.
resources.
Neutralism Both organisms interact but do Birds and deer living in the same
not affect each other. forest without interaction.
