Ecology of Animal Kingdom

Habitat (Environment)

· Includes all biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) features where an animal lives.

Abiotic Factors

· Affect suitability of habitat (e.g., oxygen, light, temperature, moisture, wind/current, soil).

· Animal response to factors = taxis (movement toward = positive, away = negative).

o Example: Phototaxis – movement toward/away from light.

Biotic Factors

· Interactions among individuals of same or different species.

 Intraspecific (within same species)
Interspecific (between species)

what are the types of interactions: (2)

Intraspecific competition

members of same species compete for identical resources.

Interspecific competition

· species compete for resources → one moves/extinct, or coexist.

Herbivory 

· – animals feed on plants (usually don’t kill).

Predation 

predator kills and eats prey

Coevolution 

· species evolve in response to each other.

parasitism
commesalism
mutualism

Symbiosis(3)

parasitism

o parasite benefits, host harmed.

commensalism

o one benefits, other unaffected.

Mutualism 

both benefit.

Crypsis 

camouflage/avoid detection

Mimicry 

resembling other species for protection.

Food Chain

linear sequence of energy transfe

Food Web 

interconnected food chains (more realistic).

Producers (autotrophs)

· make food from inorganic materials (e.g., plants).

Consumers (heterotrophs)

· eat others for energy:

primary consumers

herbivores

Secondary consumers 

o carnivores (eat herbivores).

Tertiary consumers 

o carnivores (eat other carnivores).

Scavengers 

o – feed on large dead organic matter.

Decomposers 

o – break down waste & dead matter.

gaseous cycles
sedimentary cycles
hydrological cycle

Biochemical cycles: (3)

gaseous cycles

1. O₂, CO₂, N₂, H₂ (reservoir = atmosphere or oceans).

Sedimentary cycles 

1. P, S, Ca (reservoir = Earth).

hydrological cycle

water

terrestrial ecosystems
aquatic ecosystems

types ofecosystems: (2)

Terrestrial Ecosystems 

land based

forest

· high biodiversity, dense vegetation, stable climate.

tropical forest

o – hot, wet, very high biodiversity.

Temperate forest

o moderate climate, deciduous trees.

Boreal forest (Taiga) 

o cold climate, coniferous trees.

Grassland 

· dominated by grasses; few trees; supports grazing animals.

Savannah

o warm climate, wet & dry seasons, grasses with scattered trees (e.g., lions, zebras, acacia).

Temperate grassland

o prairie (N. America), steppe (Eurasia), pampas (S. America), veldt (Africa). Dominated by grasses, few trees.

Desert 

· very low rainfall, extreme temperatures, plants adapted (cacti).

Hot desert 

o very high temperature, very low rainfall (e.g., Sahara).

Cold desert

o dry but cold (e.g., Gobi Desert).

Tundra 

· cold, dry, permafrost soil; low vegetation (mosses, lichens).

Arctic tundra 

o frozen soil (permafrost), mosses and lichens, polar bears, reindeer.

Alpine tundra 

o high mountains, cold climate, mountain goats, snow leopards.

Mountain/Alpine

· varied climate with altitude; unique plants and animals.

o Ecosystem changes with altitude.

Different species at base vs. summit.

. Aquatic Ecosystems  

water based

Pond/Lake 

· standing water; supports fish, amphibians, aquatic plants (Lentic).

River/Stream

· flowing water; nutrients constantly replenished (Lotic).

Wetlands 

· marshes, swamps; very productive, important for biodiversity.

Oceans 

· largest ecosystem; zones include intertidal, pelagic, abyssal.

Coral Reefs

· very high biodiversity, warm shallow waters.

Estuaries 

mix of fresh and saltwater; nursery for many species.

Coastal ecosystems

·  mangroves, salt marshes; protect shorelines.