Ecology Exam 1

Chapters 1

Who coined the term “Ecology” and what was he?

Ernst Haeckel

German Biologist

When was the term “Ecology” coined?

1866

What is “Ecology” in German?

Oekologie

What does “-logy” mean in Greek?

Study of

What does “oiko-” mean in Greek and what does it refer to?

House

Refers to earth

What does the term “Ecology” mean, literally?

The study of house

What are 2 contemporary definitions of “Ecology”?

1. The study of the relationships between organisms & their environment, including relationships with other organisms.

2. The study of the interactions that determine the distribution & abundance of organisms.

What is the biological hierarchy that is included in Ecology?

organism —> population —> community —> ecosystem —> biosphere

What are the different types of Ecology that ecologists study?

1. Organismal Ecology

2. Population Ecology

3. Community Ecology

4. Ecosystem Ecology

5. Biosphere Ecology

Organismal Ecology

Focuses on adaptations of individuals to the abiotic/nonliving components of their environment (temperature, water, sunlight, soil, etc)

What is “Physiological Ecology” another name for?

Organismal Ecology

Population

A group of organisms of the SAME SPECIES in a certain area at a certain time

Population Ecology

Focuses on factors that affect population dynamics (density and growth)

Community

All of the organisms/populations in a certain area at a certain time

Community Ecology

Focuses on interactions among all of the organisms of all of the species (competition, predation, mutualism, etc)

Ecosystem

All of the organisms/community in a certain area at a certain time PLUS all of the abiotic components of the area

Ecosystem Ecology

Focuses on the FLOW of energy through & the CYCLING of nutrients within the ecosystem

What is the pathway of energy through the ecosystem?

solar radiation —> producers —> consumers (herbivores, carnivores, decomposers) —> heat

Remember: energy FLOWS

What is the pathway of nutrients through the system?

physical environment (soil) —> producers —> consumers (herbivores, carnivores, decomposers) —> back to physical environment —> etc