Ecology

Ecosystem

The interaction of a community of living organisms (biotic) with the non-living (abiotic) parts of their environment

Ecosystem’s Levels of Organization

Individual Organism, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biome, and Biosphere

Individual Organism

Are at the lowest level of organization which interact with each other and their environment, carrying out life processes such as growth, reproduction, and metabolism

Population

Consists of a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area and interacting with each other which can vary in size, density, and distribution

Community

Encompasses all the populations of different species living and interacting in a particular area which is characterized by species diversity, species interactions, and ecological relationships

Ecosystem

Consists of both biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living factors) components interacting within a defined geographic area

Biome

A large-scale ecological unit characterized by distinct climate, vegetation, and animal life

Biosphere

The highest level of organization which encompasses the global sum of all ecosystems on Earth, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere (water bodies), lithosphere (land), and all living organisms

Competition

A driving force in shaping the distribution and abundance of species within communities, as individuals must compete to acquire the resources they need to survive and reproduce

Interspecific Competition

Competition between different species

Intraspecific Competition

Competition within the same species

Interdependence

Organisms needing other organisms to survive which facilitates the flow of energy and cycling of nutrients within ecosystems

Abiotic Factors (Non-Living)

Light Intensity, Temperature, Moisture Levels, Soil pH and Mineral Content, Wind Intensity and Direction, Carbon Dioxide (in Plants), and Oxygen Levels (in Aquatic Animals)

Biotic Factors (Living)

Availability of foods, arrival of new predators, new pathogens, and one specie outcompeting another

Adaptation

The process by which a species becomes fitted to its environment which can be structural, behavioral or functional

Extremophiles

Organisms that live in very extreme environments, such as at high temperatures, pressure, or salt concentrations

Structural Adaptation

The changes in the structure of a living organism that enables it to adapt better to its environment

Behavioral Adaptation

Something an animal does usually in response to some type of external stimulus in order to survive

Functional Adaptation

Involved in biological processes such as reproduction and metabolism

Photosynthetic Organisms (Photoautotrophs)

Organisms that capture the energy from sunlight and use it to produce organic compounds through the process of photosynthesis

Food Chain

It refers to the order of events in an ecosystem, where one living organism eats another organism, and later that organism is consumed by another larger organism

Producer (Autotrophs)

Eaten by primary consumers, which in turn may be eaten by secondary consumers and then tertiary consumers

Consumer (Heterotrophs)

Species that cannot manufacture their own food and need to consume other organisms

Herbivores

Animals that eat primary producers (like plants)

Carnivore

Animals that eat other animals (meat)

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and other animals

Decomposer (Detritivores)

Breaks down dead plant and animal material and wastes and releases it again as energy and nutrients into the ecosystem for recycling

Transect Sampling Method

Involves moving along a line or path to survey the distribution and abundance of organisms that intersect the line

Quadrats Sampling Method

A stationary method that uses a series of fixed frames to sample organisms in a given area

Cycle

Recycling of the one material

Carbon Cycle

Refers to returning carbon from organisms to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide to be used by plants in photosynthesis

Water Cycle

Refers to how the water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into rain or snow in clouds, and falls again to the surface as precipitation

Microorganism in Decomposing Organic Matter

As microorganisms metabolize organic matter, they respire, converting organic carbon into carbon dioxide (CO2) through cellular respiration

Microorganism in Nutrient Mineralization

Microorganisms mineralize nutrients contained within organic molecules, releasing them in inorganic forms that can be taken up by plants

Microorganism in Enhancing Soil Fertility

Microorganisms play a role in the forming soil organic matter (humus), which improves soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability over time

Microorganism in Regulation of Atmospheric CO2 Levels

The balance between carbon uptake by photosynthesis and carbon release by microbial respiration influences atmospheric CO2 levels, which in turn affects global climate dynamics and the greenhouse effect

Decomposition

The decay or dissolution of a substance by altering the ingredients of a compound

Factors that Affects Decomposition of Biological Materials

Temperature, Water, and Oxygen Availability

Biodiversity

The variety of all the different species of organisms on earth, or within an ecosystem

Deforestation

Refers to the intentional clearing of forested land

Global Warming

The phenomenon of gradual increase in the average temperature of earth

Waste Management

Refers to all of the various actions taken and plans created to manage waste such as composting or recycling existing waste in order to minimize waste production

Pollution

The introduction of harmful materials into the environment

Types of Pollution

Water Pollution, Air Pollution, and Land Pollution

Peat Bogs

These are dense wetlands filled with partially decayed vegetation

Phenology

Refers to the timings of cyclical or seasonal biological events, such as migrations, egg laying, flowering, and hibernation

Positive Human Interactions in Ecosystem

Conservation and Restoration Efforts, Community-Based Conservation Initiatives, Sustainable Land Use Practices, and Education and Awareness Programs

Negative Human Interactions in Ecosystem

Pollution and Contamination, Overexploitation of Natural Resources, Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation, and Introduction of Invasive Species and Diseases

Trophic Level 1

Organisms are called producers as they make their own food through photosynthesis (which are plants and algae)

Trophic Level 2

Organisms are called primary consumers (herbivores that eats plants and algae)

Trophic Level 3

Organisms are called secondary consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores)

Trophic Level 4

Organisms are called tertiary consumers (carnivores that eat other carnivores)

Apex predators

Carnivores with no predators

Decomposers

Breaks down dead plant and animal matter

Pyramids of biomass

The representation of total living biomass or organic matter present at different trophic levels in an ecosystem

Efficacy of Biomass Transfers Formula

(biomass transferred to the next level / biomass available at the previous level) x 100

Food Security

Refers to having enough food to feed a population

Biotechnology

Refers to the use of biology to develop new products, methods and organisms intended to improve human health and society