Ecology

Ecology

• Ecology is the study of organisms and their interaction with the environment.

– An organism is any living thing• Examples: Humans, animals, plant, bacteria

Organism

• An organism is any living thing that can carry out all of the basic life activities.

Population

• Population is a group of individuals of the same species that live together in the same area.

Population

Population

+ Population

COMMUNITY

Living things in an ecosystem are called a…

COMMUNITY

Community

• Community– Is composed of all of the populations of

different organisms living together in a given are such as your lawn (contains grass, insects, and worms)

Community

Name the three members in every community.

Producers

Consumers

Decomposers

Producers and consumersGreen plants provide the entire input of energy

to an ecosystem and are called producers. When animals (herbivores) eat plants, the

carbohydrates stored in plants are converted

back into glucose. The glucose is broken down

during respiration to provide the animal’s

energy requirements.

Similarly, when carnivores eat other animals, this chemical energy is passed on.

Producers and Consumers

Decomposers

Organisms that use the organic matter of

dead plants and animals are called

decomposers. They release digestive enzymes

to break down organic matter and then absorb

the products of digestion. Decomposers include fungi and bacteria.

Decomposers

• worms • Fungus/mushrooms

• bacteria • Bacteria attacking a cell

Living things

+ Nonliving things

ECOSYSTEM

Ecosystem

• The Ecosystem– Is a self supporting area composed of

living and nonliving things such as the Rain Forest or the Desert

– It produces energy, transfers energy, decomposes, and recycles

– It made up of two (2) types of factors:• Biotic and Abiotic

Biotic

• Biotic Factors– The living parts of

the environment such as plants, bacteria, and animals

Abiotic

• Abiotic Factors– are non

living parts of the environment such as rocks, the sun, and temperature

All energy in a food web comes from the…

Uses of energy by organismsLiving organisms need a constant supply of

energy to maintain cellular activities and stay

alive. In ecosystems the initial source of energy

is light from the sun. This is used by plants

during photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates.

Organisms (i.e. plants) that can manufacture their

own food from inorganic materials are called

autotrophs.

Food chains and webs

Food chains show the flow of energy through

ecosystems.

grass wallaby dingo

PRODUCER FIRST ORDER CONSUMER

SECOND ORDER CONSUMER

Food webs

The interrelationship between many food chains

is called a

food web.

Adaptations

All organisms have adaptations that help them to survive. Organisms that are adapted to their environment are able to:• obtain air, water, food and nutrients • cope with physical conditions such as

temperature, light and heat • defend themselves from their natural enemies • reproduce • respond to changes around them

Adaptations

What makes ecosystems different?

Amount of water

Amount of sunlight

Type of soil

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What causes ecosystems to change?

Natural causes:

Drought

Disease

Fire

Overpopulation

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What causes ecosystems to change?

Changes caused by humans:

Water pollution

Air pollution

Land pollution

Construction

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How can humans help to prevent changes in ecosystems?

Use resources wisely

Laws that control pollution

Clean up litter

Keep rivers and lakes clean

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