Lecture 13 - Introduction to Ecology

Define Ecology.

The science of how organisms interact with each other and their environment.

• ecology is the science of biodiversity

What does ecology entail?

• focuses on the distribution and abundance of species

• focuses on the structure and function of ecosystems

Define population.

All the individuals of a species in one place at the same time (ie. all the zebras in the savanna).

Define ecological community.

All the species living together in one place at one time (ie. zebra, giraffes, elephants in the savanna).

Define ecosystem.

All the species plus the non-living things in the environment.

Why do we care about species’ ranges?

1. to understand where plants and animals can grow because they give us food, clothing, wood and medicine

2. predict what will happen to biodiversity as climates change (especially since humans are damaging the world’s health at a rapid rate)

3. predict how biodiversity will respond to habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species

4. microbes also have ranges we want to understand to determine their disease risk

5. to understand why nature is the way it is

What determines where a species lives?

1. Dispersal

2. Abiotic Conditions

3. Species Interactions

How does dispersal affect where a species lives?

A species must be able to get to a certain place on the globe in order to live there.

How do the abiotic conditions of an environment affect where a species lives?

A species must be able to tolerate the environment otherwise it cannot live there (is it too hot, too cold etc…?)

How do species interactions affect where a species lives?

Even if the species can get to the area and finds the climate tolerable, the species might not be able to survive there because of competition, predation and/or lack of mutualism.

Define inexhaustible condition.

A condition that cannot be used up (ie. temperature, salinity).

Define exhaustible resources.

A resource that can be used up (ie. food, space).

Why is precipitation so important?

Water availability depends on precipitation. Therefore, the weather and climate are the most important determinants of what sorts of organisms are found in different parts of the world.

Define Limiting Factors.

Factors that are most important in determining whether a species
can or cannot persist in an area.

Define Hydric.

This is a special name for wet soil moisture levels.

Define Xeric.

This is a special name for dry soil moisture levels.

Define Mesic.

In the middle of Hydric and Xeric.

Define Convection.

Heat transfer that is facilitated by a moving fluid—typically air or water.