Ecology Test

Ecology

the study of the interactions between organisms and their environments.

Environments are made up of two factors?

1. Biotic Factors: all living organisms inhabiting Earth - plant, animals, fungi

2. Abiotic Factors: nonliving parts of the environment - soil, temp, weather, energy, moisture, air currents

Levels of organization

atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ system, organism, populations, communities, ecosystems, biomes, biosphere

Community

multiple interacting populations living in the same area

Ecosystem

communities of organisms living in a similar place in addition to the abiotic parts of the environments

Biome

A group of ecosystems with similar climate and communities

Biosphere

the largest level of organization, Includes life, water, land and air

Climate

Greenhouse effect-

Latitudinal effect-

Ocean currents-

Angle of Earth-

Ecological succession

-Primary succession - pioneer species

-Secondary succession - seral stage and climax community

Sunlight

the energy source for all life on Earth

Autotroph/producer

organism that produce their own food, plants and some bacteria

Heterotroph/consumer

organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume it, humans, fish, mushrooms

Scavengers

organisms that feed on dead organisms

Detritivores/Decomposers

small organisms that cycle matter back into the ecosystem

Species Interactions '

1. Predator-prey

2. symbiosis

3. commensalism

4. mutualism

5. parasitism

Why are interactions important?

1. Predator eats the prey

2. living together

3. helps one species and has no effect on the other

4. benefits both species

5. 1 species benefits feeding on another, harming without killing

Interactions define ecosystem stability and influence population chnages

Food chain

a linear feeding relationship

Food web

Energy Pyramid

a complex, non linear feeding relationship including multiple food chains

energy decreases at higher trophic levels

trophic level

feeding levels in a food chain/web

Energy

What does energy flow explain?

One way flow

-energy flows throughout food webs and chains

-the arrow always points to the one eating because they are obtaining the energy

-at the end of the food chain, the energy does not get cycled back to the beginning, it dissipates into the atmosphere.

It explains predator-prey relationships, population sizes and ecosystem balance

Trophic levels and energy flow

-energy transfer is inefficient

-90% of energy is lost at each trophic level

-The energy that is lost is used for bodily needs, stored as bone or hair, dissipated into the atmosphere as heat during energy transfer

Biomass

organic material that is transferred when plants and animals are consumed

-there are less individuals/biomass as you go up each trophic level

-at the end of the food chain, decomposers break down dead plants and animals and return the biomass back to the producers

Biogeochemical Cycles

Cycling of matter through biotic and abiotic compartments of earth

-matter isn’t created or destroyed, only recycled

Examples:

Carbon cycle - plants get carbon through photosynthesis, animals get it through food. Released through respiration or stored in burial and extracted for factories

water cycle - plants take in water from roots and animals get water by drinking it. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and run off

Pollutants

Natural or man made substances released into soil, air or water ion greater than natural amounts

bioaccumulation

Build up pollutants in tissues of organisms

Biological magnification

chemicals increase as pollutants move up food chain

Habitat

• where an organism lives + resources needed to survive

Niche

• role of organism, how it uses resources, interactions

Connection between Energy from the sun + natural cycles

sustain life and influence habitats, niches, and populations

Keystone Species

large impact on ecosystem balance

-trophic cascade

Taxonomy (classification of organisms)

What does classification show?

Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species

-Classification shows how species are related and how traits/behaviors evolved over time

Negative and Positive human impacts

Humans affect the biodiversity, ecosystems, and species survival both positively (conservation and protection) and negatively (pollution, habitat loss, climate change)

How does data help scientists better understand ecology ?

Data allows scientists to measure ecosystem changes, understand threats, and make informed conservation decisions.

Key take aways

• Energy + Cycles → Support Life

• Abiotic + Biotic Factors → Shape Habitats & Niches

• Interactions + Energy Flow → Maintain Ecosystem Balance

• Behavior + Adaptations → Help Species Survive

• Taxonomy + Evolution → Explain Biodiversity

• Human Impact → Alters Ecosystems

• Scientific Data → Helps us understand and protect species

Animal Behavior

-Nocturnal vs. Diurnal behavior

-Migration

-Social vs. Solitary behavuor

-Mating behaviors

Behavior helps organisms survive in their habitat, fulfill their niche and respond to environmental pressures