Introduction to Ecology

Introduction to Ecology

• Ecology is the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Levels of Organization

Levels of Organization

• Organism: A complete living unit which make up a:– Species: A group of

organisms so similar to one another that they can breed and produce viable offspring.

• This is the same level of organization.

Levels of Organization

• Population: All members of a single species in an ecosystem.

Levels of Organization

• Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

Levels of Organization• Ecosystem: A

collection of all the organisms that live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment.

Levels of Organization

• Biomes: A group of ecosystems that have the same climate and similar dominant communities.

• These are usually classified according to the predominant vegetation.

Also, fresh water and marine biomes

Levels of Organization

• The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems).

• This includes all:– Land– Water– Air (atmosphere)

Levels of Organization

• The biosphere extends about 8 km above the Earth’s surface and as far as 11 km below the surface of the ocean.

Ecological Methods

• Ecologist use a wide range of tools and techniques to study the living world.

• Binoculars

• Field guides

• Soil/Water Test kits

• Etc……..

Ecological Methods

• Regardless of the tools they use, scientists conduct modern ecological research using three basic approaches.

Ecological Methods

• Observing: This is usually the first step in asking ecological questions?

• Most questions are simple:• What species live here?• How many individuals of

each species are there?

Ecological Methods• Observations (cont.)• Many observations can

lead to more complex questions and may form the first step in designing experiments and models.

• What is the effects do humans have on the environment?

Ecological Methods

• Experimenting: Experiments can be used to test hypotheses.

• May use artificial environments in a lab.

• Other experiments are conduct in the natural ecosystem.

Ecological Methods• Modeling: Many ecological

phenomena occur over long periods of time and on very large scales which make them difficult to study.

• Example: Global Warming• Most models consist of

mathematical formulas based on data collected through observation and experimentation.

• Predictions made by ecological modeling are often tested by further observations.

Quiz Questions

• You have 15 – 20 minutes to study for a quiz based on the following questions:

1. List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest.

2. Define each of the six levels of organization.3. Suppose you wanted to know if the water in

the Carson River is safe to drink. Which ecological method(s) would you choose and why?

Question #1

• Define Organism.

Question #2

• Define Biome

Question #3

• Define Population:

Question #4

• Define Ecosystem:

Question #5

• Define Biosphere

Question #6

• Define Community

Question #7

• List the six levels of ecological organization, in order, from smallest to largest.

Answers• Organism: A complete living unit which make up a

species• Biome: A group of ecosystems that have the same

climate and similar dominant communities.• Population: All members of a single species in an

ecosystem.• Ecosystem: A collection of all the organisms that

live in a particular place, together with their nonliving (Abiotic), environment.

• Biosphere: The biosphere contains the combined portion of the planet in which ALL life exists (all ecosystems).

• Community: All the populations of different species in an ecosystem.

Answers

7.