Introduction to Ecology

What is Ecology?

Study of relationships among living organisms and their environments.

Biotic factors

living

Abiotic factors

not living

Individual

single member of a species

Population

all members of the same species in a defined area

Community

all the living things in an area

Ecosystem

Abiotic & biotic factors

Species

If can reproduce and produce viable offspring

Biome

Similar climates & plants (autotrophs)

Biosphere

Layer of Earth that has living things

Competition

Organisms compete for the same resources or space

Predation

One organism kills and eats another for food

Predator

killer

Prey

kille

Symboisis

relationship between two organisms

Commensalism

one benefits, other neither helped nor harmed

Parasitism

one benefits, other is harmed

Ectoparasites

attaches to outside of body

Endoparasites

intestinal worms

Hyperparasitism

one parasite is infected with another

Mutualism

both benefit

Trophic

Exchange of E + materials (lichen)

Defensive

Aphids use plant juce to make honeydew, ants protect aphids

Dispersive

Bees + flowers

Biomass

mass of all the living things in an ecosystem

Keystone species

Species that is/are critical to the survival of all other species in the ecosystem

Succession (1^o)

how we develop ecosystems, no life to start

First life

lichen + mosses

1st plants, grasses

grasses, herbs, shrubs, tree seedings

Pioneer community

pioneer community

climax community

mostly trees

How long does succession take?

hundreds/thousands of years

Secondary succession

succession after a fire

Actual plants (Secondary succession)

1-2 years (pioneer species)

Grasses and perennials

3-4 years (pioneer species)