ECOLOGY

Biological Communities and Interactions

ECOLOGY: THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LIVING THINGS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT. Terms to Know:

Biotic – all living organisms

Abiotic – all non-living things (air, water, light, rocks, soil,…)

(a - means without; bio - means life)

BIOTIC

ABIOTIC

ABIOTIC

ABIOTIC

ABIOTIC

ORGANIZATION OF LIVING THINGS (BIOTIC)

Species – group of organisms able to Interbreed,

under natural conditions, and produce fertile offspring.

A liger (cross btwn. A tiger and lion in a zoo is not natural condition.

A donkey bred with a horse makes a Mule –which is sterile.

Fertile: can reproduceSterile: cannot reproduce

ORGANIZATION OF LIVING THINGS (BIOTIC) CONTINUED… Population – group of 1 species living in the

same place at the same time.

Community – several populations that interact with each other.

Ecosystem – all of the populations in the community and the environment (abiotic) . Can be Aquatic – in water Or Terrestrial – on land

ORGANIZATION OF LIVING THINGS (BIOTIC)CONTINUED…

Biosphere: The layer of the earth where life exists

(includes the soil and into the atmosphere)

Other Ecology Terms to Know:

Habitat : where an organism lives

Niche : what an organism does to survive/it’s job in the ecosystem.

Species (Organism

)Population

Community

Ecosystem

Biosphere

SPECIES INTERACTIONSSYMBIOSIS – A close relationship btwn 2

species in which one or both depend on the other.

TYPES OF SYMBIOSIS

Mutualism Commensalism

ParasitismCompetition

Predator-Prey

MUTUALISM - both species benefit.

MUTUALISM – CLOWN FISH AND ANEMONE

MUTUALISM CLOWN FISH AND ANEMONE

MUTUALISM – ANTS AND ACACIA TREE

MUTUALISM – FLOWER AND BEE

MUTUALISM – CROCODILE AND BIRD

MUTUALISM – SHRIMP AND EEL

MUTUALISM – RAY AND REMORA

MUTUALISM – REMORA’S HEAD

COMMENSALISM – ONE SPECIES BENEFITS, THE OTHER IS NOT AFFECTED.

Spanish moss on an oak tree.

COMMENSALISM – BIRDS AND TREES

PARASITISM – ONE SPECIES BENEFITS, THE OTHER SPECIES IS HARMED.

TICK SUCKS BLOOD OF ANIMALS

PARASITISM – HOOK WORM

PARASITISM - HOOK WORM IN A FOOT

PARASITISM- MISTLETOE

MISTLETOE

COMPETITION – ORGANISMS WHO NEED THE SAME RESOURCES (FOOD, HABITAT, MATES,…)

o

Competing Kangaroos

PREDATOR – PREY – ORGANISM KILLS ANOTHER FOR FOOD.

Predator-Prey