Introduction to Ecology

1
Introduction to Ecology

• Ecology
• Scientific study of the interactions between
  organisms and their environment

2
Levels of Study

• Individual organism
• One cat tail
• Population
• All the cat tails in the pond
• Community
• All the living things in and around the pond
• Ecosystem
• All the biotic and abiotic factors

3
Trophic Levels
PhotosyntheticPlants, algae
Producers
Primary Consumers
Herbivores Eat producers
Primary Carninivores Eat primary consumers
Secondary Consumers
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Carninivores Eat secondary consumers
4
Ecological Pyramids

• Pyramid of numbers
• Most producers
• Least consumers
• Pyramid of energy
• Most producers
• Least consumers

5
Food Chains

• Linear, simple
• Limited to available energy

6
Food Webs

• Expanded, complex

7
Biomes

• Tundra
• Northern N.A., Asia
• Perma frost
• Moss, lichens
• Caribou, Waterfowl

8
Taiga

• Northern Europe, Canada
• Long, cold winters short mild summer
• Conifers
• Wolves, moose

9
Temperate Grasslands

• Central N.A., Central Asia
• Cold winters, warm summers
• Grasses, wildflowers
• Prairie dogs, rabbits

10
Temperate Forest

• Eastern US, Europe, Japan
• Cold winters, warm summers, precipitation
• Deciduous tree
• Deer, squirrels, raccoons

11
Tropical Rain Forests

• Areas around the equator
• Hot and wet year round
• Broad leaf plants, vines
• Monkeys, snakes, parrots

12
Desert

• Asia, Africa, Middle East
• Low precipitation, variable temp.
• Cacti
• Scorpions, reptiles